Mezzacorona Rosé Dolomiti 2018

Mezzacorona Rosé Dolomiti 2018

  16:00    Stu.

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Turkish Delight, rose petal and macerated strawberry softness here.

Dry, yet with a semblance of fruit sweetness, tickle of spice and minerality, acidity and body to provide a flourish and expanse of width and length.

All things to many people, refreshment factor high. Length being generous. Sure to slake a thirst on a warm day. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 16th October
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.mezzacorona.it/

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Heartland Sposa e Sposa 2016

Heartland Sposa e Sposa 2016

  16:00    Stu.

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A mix of Lagrein and Dolcetto and an early attempt at future proofing (2003 first vintage), winemaker Ben Glaetzer: "it looked ideal for SA (specifically the Creek) because it has very good natural acidity, thick skins and dense, hardy canopy meaning that it remains fresh with good acid balance and the canopy prevents sunburn and the cooked/stewed flavours that can result.".

An unholy union of varieties under Italian DOCG laws, they Permissible under slightly more liberal Australian Grape growing rules. Italianate herbal vibe, black fruit, hints of licorice.

Black fruits on the palate, fine tannin and a savoury edge, moderate acid providing a freshness. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 1st October, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.heartlandwines.com.au/

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Zonte's Footstep Canto Sangiovese Lagrein 2017

Zonte's Footstep Canto Sangiovese Lagrein 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Savoury, woody, hints of anise. Plum hints, adding succulence to the spice. 

Juicy, mid-bodied; blackcurrant and Blueberry, gives freshness and a semblance of acidity, gives length and flow. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 22nd December 
Source: Sample
Price: $27.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.zontesfootstep.com.au

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Heartland Foreign Correspondent Dolcetto Lagrein 2018

Heartland Foreign Correspondent Dolcetto Lagrein 2018

  10:19    Stu.

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Been a while since I've seen this wine. From memory it used to be just named per the constituent varieties. Now it's taken on a fancy new label with an assigned brand name. Looks pretty good for it.

It's a juicy little blend of two varieties of Italian origin (95% Dolcetto, 5% Lagrein).

It's all awash with primary red fruit, supplemented with a little twist of fresh cracked pepper.

More of the pepper on the palate, married to quite fresh and juicy core. Soft, sensuous and rather light and airy palate structure. A gentle hand shown with this. Fresh, a little crunch. 

Recommended guidance is to serve cool (10-12) and I'd go with that. 88 

Tasted on: Friday 7th September
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Terlan Lagrein Rosé 2015

Terlan Lagrein Rosé 2015

  15:00    Stu.

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From Italy's Alto-Adige (one of the coolest sounding region names IMO), imported by Arquila.

Of a light and juicy Berry aroma, fresh and clean. Possesses a depth, chewy on entry, roll it around the palate and succumb to its depth and intensity of flavour. 

Fruit, latent hints of spice, generous length 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 27th February, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Private Purchase
Price: $Unknown
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.cantina-terlano.com/

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Zonte's Footsteps Canto di Lago 2015

Zonte's Footsteps Canto di Lago 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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A trio of Italians in this blend, being Sangiovese (75%), Barbera (20%), and Lagrein (5%).

Quite a powerful mix, sour cherry leads and provides significant aromatics to the wine. Pomegranate molasses, certainly something sweet and syrupy. Florals - a complex aromatic mix.

Medium bodied, berry fruit, a surge of spice; juicy back palate with some fine-grained tannin. You could see how this could work with a variety of foodstuffs: lapping up tomato pasta, antipasto or something off of the grill. 90 

Tasted on: Monday 10th April, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au

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Mount Avoca Lagrein 2015

Mount Avoca Lagrein 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Back in August 2016, Mount Avoca received organic accreditation across its entire winemaking progress. This applies to eight wines - that can be officially marked as organic - including this Limited Release Lagrein.

Baked raspberry, cherry, plum. Italianate herbal tinges. 

Fresh, supple, on entry - surges in the mouth, assertive and grainy tannin leads to some back palate bitterness. 

Acid freshens, resumes proceedings, leading long threads of fruits, spice and herb with it. Superb. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 23rd November
Source: Sample
Price: $46
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://mountavoca.com/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein 2014

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein 2014

  16:30    Stu.

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Inky black, violets and black currants: cracked pepper, Earth and mushroom. 

Bold mouthful of black fruit, silken threaded, spiced, peppery and powder puff tannin. 

Finishes well, on a good length - combination of fruit, spice; 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 24th March: a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps Sete di Vino 2013

Yelland & Papps Sete di Vino 2013

  21:11    Stu.

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In my mind a significant improvement over the 2012 (caveat emptor: that could be me, vintage, earlier picking, appropriate food pairing, all of the above).

To the wine in question: initially savoury, woody, suggestions of caramel balsamic. I could continue to reel off lists of descriptors here. Suffice to say fruit and florals play their part too.

Goes well with food, here the acid laps up a rich tomato based sauce. Without, it does stand out a little. On a good length with a little rose water sweetness on exit. Happy days here. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 7th September, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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Yelland & Papps 'Sete di Vino' 2012

Yelland & Papps 'Sete di Vino' 2012

  11:54    Stu.

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In my opinion, Yelland & Papps are making some of the most interesting wines coming out of the Barossa. Not only with unique blends such as this Sete di Vino (literally 'thirst for wine', an affliction to which many of us can no doubt relate), but also with regards to faithful takes on traditional Barossan varieties with their Devote and Divine ranges. Then you consider the wines coming out under the Second Take range, for me some of the most exciting wines tasted lasted year. A portfolio and brand to watch.

Perhaps see this as the 'Italian' cousin to the Vin de Soif, bearing a somewhat familial similarity with brambly black fruits. Veers more towards the savoury with licorice, though carrying some of Dolcetto's sweetness. Florals, a mix of fruits and a hint of blue.

Smooth - incredibly so - glycerol, slippery feel to it. Possesses a dark underbelly, the swarthy cousin to the 'Soif', yet there is a polished edge to it. Light and shade. Concludes with a touch of grainy tannin, acid and red fruits - one for now. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 15th February, a Leaf to Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein 2009

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Lagrein 2009

  18:06    Stu.

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Lagrein has its home in Italy's North-East, in the fantastic sounding Alto-Adige region.  I think this is a variety we're going to see a lot more of in Australia.  This example shows why.

Aromatically fresh.  A little like chewing a minto, cherry drop and bouquet garni all at once with its lovely cherry fresh, mint and herby profile.

It's an aroma that belies the savoury notes within.  There's a core of earthen notes, blackcurrant accented and all seasoned with pepper.  More-ish, savoury, peppery and great length all add to the intrigue this wine provides.  Top stuff.  91 - Very Good 

Source: Sample

Price: $22

Alcohol:14.5%

Closure: Screwcap

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

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