Jules Taylor Grüner Veltliner 2020

Jules Taylor Grüner Veltliner 2020

  16:30    Stu.

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Strong intensity here, can't have been in bottle too long. It's varietal, at least, a primary offering of white

pepper, white florals, suggestions of herb, red apple skins. 

Intense acidity immediately apparent on the palate, some palate texture, width and weight following shortly thereafter. 

Just loses a touch of that presence through the finish. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 9th September 2020
Source: Sample
Price: $ 25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.julestaylor.com/

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Jules Taylor Gruner Veltliner 2018

Jules Taylor Gruner Veltliner 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Stonefruit with a subtle white pepper and mace-like edge, the seasoning to the fruit. It's aromatically poised, the seasoning tickling the olfactory organ.

Subtlely worked texture, a pinch of phenolics with a fine minerality across the backbone of the palate. Subtlety, balance, guile. It's a delicate wine that will have you yearning glass after glass. 92. 

Tasted on: Friday 20th March 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.julestaylor.com
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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K1 by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner 2016

K1 by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner 2016

  12:22    Stu.

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Don't serve too cold - a very different wine once it opens up. Initially: hints of barely ripe Packham pear, a delicate seasoning of white pepper; allowed to express itself it suggests hints of the vegetable crisper, a little citrus rind. 

Minerally, even spread of texture slowly makes it's way across the palate. A secondary movement of flavour makes its presence felt: green apple, blossom of the same - carried by an acid backbone. 

Chalky feel provides further substance. A framework for the flavour to hang off. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 8th August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2015

Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2015

  14:00    Stu.

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Tasted alongside Hahndorf Hill's 2015 release (note), this shows more on the tropical spectrum: passion fruit, guava, melon.

Fruit on the palate, a little tang, some tinned fruit syrup sweetness; textural but also with chalky-phenolic dryness. Sees some barrel in addition to tank, provides a next level of depth.

Complex - and very good to drink. It kinda comes across like a super-charged Rhone white. Excellent outing this release. 94  

Tasted on: Wednesday 9th December: Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwinery.com/

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Hahndorf Hill Winery 'GRU' Grüner Veltliner 2015

Hahndorf Hill Winery 'GRU' Grüner Veltliner 2015

  07:03    Stu.

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Rapidly becoming one of the Adelaide Hills' signature varieties. This example from pioneers Hahndorf Hill shows classic signature of white pepper, leading citrus, stonefruit and even a little root veg.  

The palate exhibits fleshy, tropicals, citrus and grapefruit acidity; texture, spice, zest and mineral - you can understand its affinity for food. 

Finishes with a little phenolic grip, carries the wine, aids length. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 9th December: Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

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Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

  15:30    Stu.

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Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

Golden/ honeyed, florals; a little creamed celeriac and spice - good rooty veg is what I look for in good GV. Rich, full, white pepper here with a tickle of acid. Minerality is good, adds a dimension to the wine, growing in stature, adding volume, spice and weight. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwine.com.au/

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Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

  15:29    Stu.

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Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

Florals, a creaminess, hints of root veg from the crisper, flecks of white pepper offer themselves up. Clean and crisp, lovely acid and texture. 

Drying with a lovely chalky feel through the back end. Offering good length. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner 2013

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner 2013

  15:28    Stu.

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Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

The second of two Grüner from the K1/ Geoff Hardy camp. This, the fuller of the two in style, was picked two weeks later than the K1 example. The resultant wine showing riper fruit and a fuller textural palate.

Smells richer than its stable-mate: a honey glaze to a little root veg, some background tropicals with a suggestion of golden toasted breadcrumb.

Lacks a little in the middle - comparatively - pulling a little flavour through. It's more about feel and texture here, providing a fuller feel and creaminess in the mouth. 87

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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K1 by the Hardys Grüner Veltliner 2013

K1 by the Hardys Grüner Veltliner 2013

  15:27    Stu.

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Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

The first of two Grüner from the K1/ Geoff Hardy camp. This, the lighter of the two in style, was picked two weeks earlier than that from the Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy label. The resultant wine showing a little more fruit and a cleaner, leaner style.

Opens with a little root veg - parsnip - in the mix with white florals, hints of pear and under-ripe apple. The palate shows a clean wine, inoffensive and unobtrusive. A nice clip of acid augments some length through to the finish.

The aromatics flow through on to the palate. 89
Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.k1.com.au/

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Stoney Rise Grüner Veltliner 2012

Stoney Rise Grüner Veltliner 2012

  21:23    Stu.

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Stoney Rise had the first commercial plantings of Grüner Veltliner in Australia, and whilst Lark Hill were first to market with their own release in 2009, the Stoney Grüner holds a special position viz the history of the variety in this country.

Opens musky with tropical hints - think lychee with some green banana - there's white pepper and a parsnip/ rooty note. Extra points for a hint of mineral - wet river pebbles.

Slightly fleshy palate, white pepper showing too. Textural, the wine is wild fermented on lees and stirred once a week to build just that. Clean and pure too - nigh crystalline.

Length is excellent, acid driven and of generous proportions.  92 - Very Good

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th December, a Root Day
Source: Winery Purchase
Price: $33 p/b (delivered)
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.stoneyrise.com/

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Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2012

Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2012

  06:28    Stu.

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The numbers: the third vintage of Gruner Veltliner, for Adelaide Hills pioneer of the variety, Hahndorf Hill. The second that I have had the pleasure of tasting, and currently one of only four produced in Australia (along with Lark Hill, K1by the Hardys and Stoney Rise).

Apple, tart pear, celery and some rooty form by way of parsnip.  Hints of citrus softening up the aromatics.  Lovely zesty tones on the palate, supported by mineral and acid.  Flecks of white pepper dotted about spice things up, presenting roasted root veggie notes too.  Drinks better on day 2 for my liking, showing well into day 3  - indicative of some cellarability.  

The wine finishes with good peppery length and mineral nuances dancing around the tongue.  Great example, showing further promise for the variety in the region and further cementing the claims of Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson as skilled craftsmen of the variety.  93 - Very Good 

Tasted on: Monday 1st October, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

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K1 by the Hardys Grüner Veltliner 2012

K1 by the Hardys Grüner Veltliner 2012

  21:50    Stu.

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Tasted this second release from K1 alongside the 2012 Hahndorf Hill.  For me this showed the more intense aromatics.  Hints of Hill's Sav Blanc character were present - topical hints - alongside varietal character by virtue of apple, tart pear, citrus and notes of white pepper.

The wine seemed tighter, coiled, stony - more mineral present on the palate; acid was featured but took more of a back step than that it was tasted alongside.  The finish showed zest with white peppery length.  Good length, it wasn't a wine in a hurry.

An interesting wine, one I'd subsequently seen a variance in reviews for.  As ever, be your own man, make up your own mind.  I did.  90/ 91 - Good/ Very Good

Tasted: 1st October, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.k1.com.au

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Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2011

Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2011

  21:09    Stu.

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Patrick Haddock may think he pioneered the marketing slogans for Hahndorf Hill releases, but those 60s folksters Simon & Garfunkel were singing the virtues of Grüner Veltliner before Mr Pom was even drinking from a bottle!

"Slow down, you move too fast, 
you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, 
lookin' for fun and feelin' GrüVe"

Hahndorf Hill first released a Grüner in 2010, and along with Lark Hill, Stoney Rise and K1 represent Australia's current producers of the variety.

Much more than a target for witty slogans, Hahndorf Hill have adopted the role of incubator and mentor for the variety in the Adelaide Hills, disseminating plant material around the region - enabling it to become recognised as its leading light.

This wine itself offers a pretty approach, florals, some crisp green apple and blossom, peach and white pepper.  It does not, to me, smell as it tastes.  Entry shows a slight minerally 'crunch' to the wine, offering up texture and a pulsing introduction to the acid of the wine.

The finish is dry, exhibiting a 'glacial' purity; fresh, driving and clean.  Greater than the sum of its different parts, this went rather well with a Mee Goreng in these quarters.  Seeing as Larry Jacobs doesn't, I'll take my hat off to him for a sterling wine.

Source: Sample

Price: $28

Alcohol: 12%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

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UK Wines - Part 2

UK Wines - Part 2

  05:43    Stu.

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Second round up of some wines shared/ tasted on a recent trip to the UK.  The wines I bought personally definitely showed an Old World leaning, just reflecting what I have been tasting recently and that I am able to buy good old world wines for much cheaper than I can in Australia.

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2003 10.5% £26.95
Delicate aromas of lemon and lightly buttered toast present themselves, giving way to a palate exhibiting some spritz and minerality. Good structure, acid carrying a line through to a persistent conclusion.

William Fevre 2007 1er Cru Les Vaillons Chablis  % £17.95
Delicate florals, segue into intense mineral laden palate. Fine, filling and driving finish. Chablisienne to it's minerally core, that I can get this in the UK for around $30 both pleases and saddens.

Guigal Gigondas 2006 14% £12.96
Good aroma: Raspberry and dried herbs. Savoury body, rich and complex.  Generously spicy finish.

Blason des Papes 2009 14% £13.19
Much more fruit in this Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre and Cinsault blend than with the Gigondas. Good redcurrant aroma leading through to a medium bodied palate.  Less spice on the finish. Pleasurable drinker.

Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner 2010 % £8.06
delicate light florals on the nose, entry shows a mineral laden palate sweeping through to an acidic finish. Dry.

Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru 2007 13% £19.95
Berry aromatics, red and black, leading to a sour cherry palate.  Elegant, filling of mouth; well structured the finish trails off leaving a memorable impression.

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Konrad Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2010

Konrad Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2010

  08:51    Stu.

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My interest in Grüner was aroused through a bit of an online debate about it, combined with its apparent scarcity.  For I am aware of only two wineries in Australia produce  Grüner Veltliner, or GV as it is often known, and that is Lark Hill Winery and Hahndorf Hill.  In its home of Austria it is rather more common, accounting for 32% of all plantings, some 17,000 hectares - compared to less than 50 in Australia.

Further, another interesting point about this wine, is that is not mentioned on either the winery website or that of the Australian agent.  In one of those further twists, showing what a small world it is, the agent's website was designed by Blue Pebble - the company founded by Brad Paton of Wineweek.  Small world indeed.

So to the wine, rather simple in its construction - or my interpretation of it is - therein lies the beauty.  A dominant aroma of of peach and apricot on the palate - a little like an Arneis in that respect; a savoury, textural, minerality in the mouth follows.  It is not particularly mouth filling, but there is a good lingering hit of pepper that hangs there and fades pleasantly to a conclusion.  As a first introduction to the variety, very enjoyable.  


I think it a variety we shall see more of over the next 3-5 years as the number of wineries taking on plantings increases.


Source: Retail, Cru Bar Cellars
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Winery Website: http://www.konradwines.co.nz/index.html
Agent: http://www.fsfw.com.au/default.asp


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