Angullong Fossil Hill Montepulciano 2021

Angullong Fossil Hill Montepulciano 2021

  12:45    Stu.

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Bright perfume, of cherry and blueberry - supplemented with a darker heart.

The palate conveys that brightness of fruit, a fine tannin - on a length that seems unyielding. A testament to the quality of the wine, overlooking minor spikes of warmth.

Much has been said about the Orange region and what its "hero" varieties may be, Angullong may well be putting down a marker in that conversation, by flying the flag with these varieties of Italian origin. 93

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd February

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: angullong.com.au

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Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

  08:30    Stu.

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Montelpulciano is an expressive beast. This example, at five years of age, from the Barossa's Vine Vale sub-region is no exception. 

Plum, violets, hints of rose and black cherry; subtle it necessarily isn't, a full frontal aromatic assault from the get go, yet balance could well be one of its watchwords. The palate speaks of dark spice, backed up by black fruit and garrigue like herb. 

Even at five years it's still expressive, bright and vital. Acid and tannin still carrying an offering. This was paired with a fennel sausage ragu, more than equal to each other. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 15th September, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $27.95
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Hunjee Heartstring Montepulciano 2018

d'Arenberg The Hunjee Heartstring Montepulciano 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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I've not seen something this purple since Barney the Dinosaur. It's positively brimming with purple. 

That vibrancy doesn't quite carry through as perhaps one might suspect. Instead, rather, it offers more of a herbal and meaty presence. 

The biggest surprise is the tannin structure, assertive and drying. It perhaps dominates proceedings, swamping any fruit that may be lurking underneath. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 12th June, a Root day 

Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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Hastwell & Lightfoot Montepulciano 2017

Hastwell & Lightfoot Montepulciano 2017

  20:38    Stu.

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"Wines made for eating", nice tagline from the Hastwell and Lightfoot crew - a brand name I feel I've known for an age. 

Initially deep and dark, before the onset of lighter and brighter fruit sitting at its core. It's boysenberry, perhaps a suggestion of raspberry in the frame too. 

I'd paired this with some kebabs that we'd liberally introduced to some oregano, so that herbal - and Mediterranean - association ran long. 

The tannin feels a little gruff, almost ferrous; the wine itself carrying an air, a lightness as it springs across the palate. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 15th March, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://hastwellandlightfoot.com.au

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Ballycroft Small Berry Montepulciano 2017

Ballycroft Small Berry Montepulciano 2017

  11:04    Stu.

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The second vintage of Montepulciano for Joe Evans of Ballycroft. Expect subtle tweaks as Joe gets a handle on the variety and responds to vintage shifts. From Langhorne Creek, 2.2t hand picked; back in the shed it's plunged 2* for 9 days; employs 25% whole bunch and then spends 6m in old French oak. 

Prime and ripe Berry on this one. Old Joe knows how to get some flavour out of his fruit for sure. It's redolent of the Blueberry topping on a cheesecake, minus the Vanilla. Savoury backs it up, the small % of whole bunch adding its tuppence-worth to the dialogue. 

Nice open-weave that rolls around the palate. Fair shake of the pepper grinder, even a latent minty aspect in the frame too. Like good wines often do, this seduces with the first sip, luring the drinker in before delivering a liquid slap with some depth, spice and lasting presence. Joe, you're on a winner old mate. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th May, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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Mr. Riggs Montepulciano d'Adelaide Hills 2015

Mr. Riggs Montepulciano d'Adelaide Hills 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Alluring. Carries the Monte prettiness with purple florals, black fruit and eucalyptus over underlying vanillin oak. It's pretty, a sure fire hit on aromatics. 

Jam packed with black fruit, spice, in the main pepper. There's a freshening vanilla hit, back to blueberry. A little herbal, blue fruit, Mediterranean frame. It had me thinking of lamb, olives, oregano. 

It carries a subtle length, a richness, black fruited that grows in stature. 90 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st February, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.mrriggs.com.au/

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Ballycroft Langhorne Creek Montepulciano 2016

Ballycroft Langhorne Creek Montepulciano 2016

  18:32    Stu.

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Very different offering from the Ballycroft stable. Almost the anthi-thesis of what i've tasted before. Never stop surprising me Joe!

Bright and vibrant, Jubey almost, attractive stone fruit  and florals. Savoury elements too - possible minor bunch inclusion with a minerally core and Italianate twiggy elements.

Bright, juicy, good rub of powdery tannin across the palate. Sour cherry, plum - on a good length too. 92.

Tasted on: Sunday 18th December, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ballycroft.com/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2014

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2014

  09:31    Stu.

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Very purple smelling, violets and blue/black fruit mix - a handful of blackberries crushed in the hand, juice dribbling down the wrist; darker aromatics lie beneath: a little resinous edge, sweet accents.

Light and lively, brisk acidity - lends energy, carries the plum and black cherry long to the finish. Tannin is fine grained, adding an extra dimension. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 24th March: a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Waywood Wines Montepulciano 2013

Waywood Wines Montepulciano 2013

  10:00    Stu.

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Slowly gaining in popularity is Montepulciano, and finding a home - amongst a raft of other varieties of Italian origin (invariably ending in the letter o) - in McLaren Vale. 

Andrew Wood of Waywood Wines was one of the early adopters of the variety in Australia, he seems to have a good hand on the variety.

Opens with a savoury bent on offer, with purple florals, herb, woody tinges and redcurrant lift.

Crushed violets on entry - but really it's about the savoury, with a succulent palate offering effortless flow toward a chewy tannin structure. Spice, drying, chalky tannin - equally adept with food as it is flying solo. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 21st May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.waywoodwines.com/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2013

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2013

  10:48    Stu.

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Fresh Mediterranean herb (Thyme, oregano) over a base of fruit. Inviting, appealing - Italianate? Has a little earthen truffle, some woody spice with bright blue-ish fruit writ large across its attractive profile.

Medium bodied, rounded, plump - perhaps. Good presence of acid for freshness, a bitter herbal twist backed up with fruit - good balanced package. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 30th April, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Kirrihill Mount Lofty Montepulciano 2012

Kirrihill Mount Lofty Montepulciano 2012

  14:39    Stu.

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One of a handful of producers that have brought Montepulciano onto the market (you may also want to check out Waywood Wines and By Jingo! if you're particularly fond of the variety).

A delightful mix of savour imbued with a little sweet: touches of tobacco, with a little twiggy-note against a little sweeter element of cherry and red berry fruit.

On the palate it shows itself as a juicy little beast - a little dusty tannin, a mix of spice that creates an attractive drinking proposition. Again we see a little fruit here, more on the black spectrum with a little black cherry and black berry. Good finish, it is the middle movement that wins it for me. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 30th January, a Flower to Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.kirrihillwines.com.au/

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Tscharke 'The Master' Montepulciano 2011

Tscharke 'The Master' Montepulciano 2011

  12:40    Stu.

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Montepulciano the grape, not to be confused with Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, a Tuscan wine made from Sangiovese.

Black cherry, rose/ florals, violets - an attractive aromatic proposition.  Shows a deftness in the mouth, spicy - pepper, licorice - with a herbal twist.  Some graphite too, complex, yet paradoxically a delight in its simple structure.

Good savoury, ripe tannin concludes matters - lovely balance.  90 - Good

Tasted on: Tuesday 30th October, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $ 39
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.tscharke.com.au/

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