Entropy Wines Chardonnay 2019

Entropy Wines Chardonnay 2019

  16:30    Stu.

---

Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay, rich and powerful from the off. There's a slight saline and reductive note, more so than the presence of fruit. 

The palate is variously - and impressively - creamy, toasty, flinty and on a saline length. Add in a touch of phenolics that are well judged, adding to that overall impression of power and depth. 

Green apple and citrus wrap up on the finish, yet for all that flavour and assertion it still gives an impression of delicacy and balance. Australian Chardonnay is in such an interesting place right now. 96 

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th August 
Source: Retail
Price: $45
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://www.entropywines.com/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Main Ridge Estate Half Acre Pinot Noir 2012

Main Ridge Estate Half Acre Pinot Noir 2012

  08:30    Stu.

---

A Cellar Door purchase back in 2014 on a trip to the Mornington with some legends. Oh how different the world was back then; personally, societally.

An earthen Pinot Noir, hints of mushroom and a little mulch. Suggestions of what seem a little residual oak linger, chai spice nuances add to the overall aromatic picture. It's subtle, deep and complex. 

Finesse, the wine flows across the palate, still remnants of fine tannin glide across. There's a deep and long lasting carry of flavour - without being over-wrought. Exquisite. 94 

Tasted on: Sunday 9th February 
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $75ish
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mre.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Tuck's Ridge Chardonnay 2016

Tuck's Ridge Chardonnay 2016

  12:30    Stu.

---

An absolute riot of stonefruit and oak just presenting itself here. Cheesy, leesy elements sit around the periphery here, supplementing the core. 

It's a heavy, worked example - with toast and flint notes spreading rapidly across the body. It's grunty, chunky, blocky - perhaps not the most elegant of examples. You'd come here for flavour, if not finesse. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 17th March
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tucksridge.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Tuck's Ridge Turramurra Chardonnay 2016

Tuck's Ridge Turramurra Chardonnay 2016

  11:30    Stu.

---

It will be interesting to see where these wines are taken to, given the acquisition of the brand and vineyards by Montalto, and the intention for Grape tinkerer Simon Black to take on winemaking duties.

For now, these 2016 releases under the Tuck's Ridge brand remain poles apart from the Montalto Chardonnay under that label. Buttery, rich, creamed corn almost - regardless, heavy on the dairy. 

The palate, lavish with minerally, flinty hints sitting in the background. There are elements of stonefruit and a little citrus, yet seemingly the winemaker's hand has done all it can to show itself, rather than the fruit. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 24th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tucksridge.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Teurong Block Chardonnay 2016

Montalto Estate Teurong Block Chardonnay 2016

  16:30    Stu.

---

Greenish hue in the glass, and seems to evoke a green response aromatically, yet is all dripping ripe stonefruit. 

At turns both fleshy, yet clipped and crisp. It evokes a somewhat fleshy and sensuous response.

There's a citrus acidity running deep, both lime and grapefruit. Zesty fresh, with a drying phenolic edge that serves to pinch and accentuate the flavour. 

It's a fine wine, of focus and precision with an excellent tail of flavour. 94 

Tasted on: Wednesday 3rd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Merrick's Block Pinot Noir 2016

Montalto Merrick's Block Pinot Noir 2016

  08:30    Stu.

---

Deeper aromatics here, than say the prettiness of Main Ridge - indicating a warmer site too. Elements of toastiness combine with the purity of fruit.

Still of the silken threaded body, strands of tannin linking long through the body. Firmer, and deeper of body, charting depths not often seen with Pinot Noir, particularly not in combination with the grace and charm here. 

It also possesses darker spice, riven here on a long dry finish. Quite exemplary. 94 

Tasted on: Monday 27th August, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2016

Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2016

  08:30    Stu.

---

A single block wine made from grapes harvested from eleven rows of Chardonnay on Montalto's north-facing slope at its home vineyard site in Red Hill South.

A fine balance between the complexity the winemaker affords Chardonnay, with the exquisite fruit of Montalto's The Eleven.

Citrus, edges of canteloupe melon, stonefruit all waft their gentle song. An exquisite vein of acidity, running long and fine through the middle - about which a generosity hangs, aided by spiced oak elements. 

It packs much into itself: aroma, flavour and presence each contributing their but, playing their part. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Main Ridge Pinot Noir 2016

Montalto Main Ridge Pinot Noir 2016

  14:30    Stu.

---

Sour Cherry, veering to softer notes of wild strawberry and Pomegranate. 

Soft, sensuous and inviting. The tannin profile seems a little firmer than elsewhere in the portfolio amongst an impressive array of single vineyard wines. Yet, for that it is elegant and long as befits the cooler aspect of the Main Ridge site higher up the Peninsula. 

A fine elegant length, hints of spice and pine forest floor. 93 

Tasted on: Friday 24th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Red Hill Block Pinot Noir 2016

Montalto Red Hill Block Pinot Noir 2016

  08:30    Stu.

---

From a site 110m above sea level, on the ocean side of the peninsula.

Initially on opening fresh I detected what I thought was the presence of oak. That, if it was indeed there, soon gave way to something else entirely with sour cherry and plum at the core. 

It seemed something of a shape shifter, Pinot Noir with more of that piney Pinosity - the earth and forest floor. The fruit is certainly more persistent - and prominent - on the palate, yet it is this fine minerality that pervades and persists, with an refreshening acid line. 

Two from two, the Montalto 2016 single vineyard Pinot Noir releases are looking very fine. 93

Tasted on: Friday 27th July, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Teurong Block Pinot Noir 2016

Montalto Teurong Block Pinot Noir 2016

  14:30    Stu.

---

Fruit drawn off of the Springborn Lakes VY, at 30m elevation on Port Philip Bay side of the Peninsula, with 230doz made. 

At that lower elevation, and with warmer winds drawing over the bay, this is a riper site that takes to inclusion of whole bunch in the fermentation.

Kirsch, bramble red fruit, spice is making an appearance on the aromatics, latterly floral aspects start to appear. 

Took just a moment to open up, revealing a complex array of flavour and feeling. Maraschino cherry, veering to a little baked Plum. There's a raft of baking spice in the frame too. 

Suggestion of tannin, initially fine then bolstered and growing in stature, carrying the fruit in a crescendo across the palate. It's a wine that one could wax lyrical over. A fine release. 94 

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd July, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Tuck's Ridge Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016

Tuck's Ridge Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016

  14:30    Stu.

---

Tuck's Ridge has recently been acquired by neighbouring Montalto Estate. Future wines will be overseen by the excellent, restless Simon Black.

Interplay of savoury with the sweet here, initially deep and and perfumed, giving way to Rosella jam. It's not jammy, just a certain aromatic sweetness my lasting aromatic impression. 

Floral, red fruit riven through the middle. Oak and fruit sweetness. It's a fuller, firmer and riper instance of Pinot Noir. Not necessarily what I'd expect from the cooler Mornington Peninsula. 

Decent length. Would benefit from a touch more subtlety, guile. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th June, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tucksridge.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Main Ridge Pinot Meunier 2012

Main Ridge Pinot Meunier 2012

  08:30    Stu.

---

2016 bottle image

Pours a light, matte garnet; translucent, nothing to hide and plenty to enjoy. 

Still retaining fruit, primarily. It redolent of slightly under-ripe raspberry, perhaps a little mint and assorted spice in the mix. 

Even at 6 it is still primary. Fruit is present, it sits beautifully in the palate, almost hovering just-so. The fruit makes way for spice, somewhat intensely - it veritably expands across the palate, and though giving length does truncate the fruit. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 24th February, a Root day 
Source: Cellar
Price: $65
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: 

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2016

Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2016

  08:30    Stu.

---

Deep, heady, black and sour cherry in the mix here. Spiced, richly, almost ginger cake like, cinnamon (warmer year?). Certainly inviting. 

Soft, generous, the spice a presence on the palate that builds, supplementing a dried earth and forest floor complexity. 

The back palate sees things ratchet up a notch, a little cranberry acidity whipping up the spice, soft grain of tannin. Another superb example. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 4th September, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2016

Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2016

  08:30    Stu.

---

The Pennon Hill range within the Montalto portfolio are the more approachable, here and now wines. Here stonefruit with some residual oak spice framing things up sets the tone early. Just a hint of struck match complexity in the mix too. 

It really just hits a spot: delightful balance of fruit, a minerally edge hardens the palate away from a softer stance. Drive and length, propel the wine and, somewhat surprisingly a citrus hit delivers more. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 17th August, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Shiraz 2016

Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Shiraz 2016

  14:30    Stu.

---

Whilst it may lead with savoury influences - I initially suspected a minor whole bunch inclusion (there isn't, the fruit is hand harvested and de-stemmed into 2T open fermenters - you ultimately cannot escape the quality of the fruit on offer. 

There are hints of meat, spice and a little oak. Medium bodied, it sits beautifully, easing its way across the palate. A little freshening acid, tight-grained tannin, its pace quickens as it effortlessly slips down. 

Silken slip of a thing, not lacking in substance either. 91

Tasted on: Monday 21st August, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32 
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2015

Montalto Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2015

  12:30    Stu.

---

Cracking aromatics: a little funkiness interspersed with stonefruit, florals and a little citrus.

Sees a small portion of new oak, and that sensitive input is still noted, offering a suggestion of cream and toast that lingers long through the finish. 

Avoids both the 'skinniness' that afflicts many Chardonnay in the wrong hands, and the over-wrought and flabby. Assured hands from Simon Black and team. Again. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 18th August, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2015

Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2015

  12:30    Stu.

---

Stonefruit, a liberal sprinkling of toasted spice - that carries through to the palate, with a delicate lemon essence. It's powdery, chalky form clings to your cheeks - before a resurgence of citrus and stonefruit. 

At times lean, a quickening of pace before it develops further toward the back palate. Impressive. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 13th August, a Fruit day

Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Pinot Gris 2015

Montalto Pinot Gris 2015

  09:42    Stu.

---

Shit, get the fire extinguisher - Montalto are on fire! 

By Jove this has the lot: texture, tang, acidity and even salinity. Had me yearning for more than just a tasting glass - unusual for a Gris I tell thee. 

It's fleshy in the mouth, and take note that the wine's flavour ought not be suppressed by serving too cold - it warrants better than that. 

Long in flavour, long on presence. 93

Tasted on: Monday 15th August, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $36
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Pinot Noir 2015

Montalto Estate Pinot Noir 2015

  08:30    Stu.

---

A very attractive floral perfume: rose, hibiscus with deep set black-red fruit: cherry, a little oak seasoning. 

It's silken, smooth, slips across the palate; briary fruit, a semblance of depth, a little sour tang. 

Effortless length, elegance, ease; fantastic Pinosity, sharing an excellent lineage with its vintage predecessor, albeit with an apparent greater of finesse. 94 

Tasted on: Thursday 30th June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: montalto.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Montalto Estate Shiraz 2014

Montalto Estate Shiraz 2014

  14:00    Stu.

---

First 'Estate' Shiraz for Montalto: a Single vineyard wine from 'Teurong', it's warmest site. One hundred dozen made. 

Black Cherry and Plummy depths, mulberry, with cracked pepper seasoning. 

Lots going on: persistent pepper and general spice hints; tannin fine and persistent. There's meat and grilled nuts - just something new at each turn. 

Length - and some - continuing a fine run of form for Montalto and the winemaking team under Simon Black. 93 

Tasted on: Sunday 12th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More