Berton Vineyard Alfresco Vermentino 2022

Berton Vineyard Alfresco Vermentino 2022

  09:09    Stu.

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Green apple, ripe pear, waxy citrus.

There's a lovely texture on initial entry, but it soon yields to a minerally acid spread before a phenolic pucker.

The acid might be a touch perky for some, but after its initial blaze is does gently ebb towards its conclusion. Lovely balance and length. Multi-faceted, of its many parts. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 29th June
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.bertonvineyards.com.au/

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Berton Vineyard Alfresco Barbera 2021

Berton Vineyard Alfresco Barbera 2021

  17:03    Stu.

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Looks good, tastes good, has enough presence of fruit to take a chill, clocks in at a moderate 12.5% - what's not to like?

Barbera from the Riverina - light cherry and strawberry crunchy vibe, counter-balanced with a darker depth of flavour.

There's a herb and spice twist in the game, carried by a freshening acidity - the hallmarks of a good Barbera. It's all bound up in an attractive mid palate freshness. Solid all rounder - much to commend. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 27th June
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.bertonvineyards.com.au/

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De Bortoli Organic Shiraz Field 2020

De Bortoli Organic Shiraz Field 2020

  08:30    Stu.

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This is De Bortoli's first certified organic wine, off of their Hemley vineyard. Presently they've 6.2% of their Riverina vineyards certified organic, with a goal to make that 10% by 2025.

Billed as a 'field blend', but is also 100% Sguraz. Anyway, the wine in question is rich, ripe, plummy - there's a depth here, a suggestion of clove and cocoa nib spice too.

Medium to full palate: lighter red fruit against a darker fruit backdrop. Powdery tannin through the mid palate, lick of acid.

Solid Shiraz from warmer climes, in a middleish bodied package. 89

Tasted on: Friday 18th March
Source: Sample
Price: $17.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.debortoli.com.au

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A Couple of Ideas for Father's Day

A Couple of Ideas for Father's Day

  08:30    Stu.

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The good folks at Sauce Communications and De Bortoli wines were kind enough to send a few samples to tie in with Father's Day (1st Sunday in September in Australia), so here's a few options for what to buy Dad (or the person you call Dad, or who acts as your Dad but may actually be your Mum).

De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2011

For those of you unfamiliar with the term Botrytis, it is essentially a fungus that attacks the grapes, dehyradating them and leaving behind concentrated sugars.  In the right conditions and with good winemaking, that is an excellent conditional set to make sweet and concentrated wines, as with De Bortoli’s Noble One.

Aromatically it’s all honeyed, honeysuckle with touches of quince. Whilst those descriptors may have you immediately thinking dessert, the Noble One is also more than a match with some selected cheese. Go on, treat Dad and splash out on some deliciously ripe blue such as Milawa (a friend way back convinced me to match mould and botrytis with mould in cheese - a winner!). Equally, if Dad is sweet tooth inclined, knock up a batch of these Souffle l’Orange. 93 

De Bortoli Old Boys 21 Barrel Aged Tawny NV

If Dad prefers something a touch darker after dinner, then this non-vintage Tawny will be sure to appeal. With its boozy Christmas cake like aromas - I could be describing Nanna there - in a good way I add, it's certainly rich and luscious.  

Layered, silken and velvety in its approach across the palate. It's a mix of dried fruit and nut, with hints of dark chocolate. Toffee is in the frame too. Sit Dad down in his favourite chair, some dark chocolate in hand, a glass of this and allow him to enjoy the moment. 93 

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De Bortoli Deen Master's Blend Vat 184 2015

De Bortoli Deen Master's Blend Vat 184 2015

  13:00    Stu.

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A blend of Shiraz, Durif, Petit Verdot - realised to coincide with Father's Day, and timed so to honour De Bortoli patriarch, Deen De Bortoli. 

Ripe and sturdy aroma here, a generous tribute to its namesake. A mix of black fruit aromatics, subtle licorice notes.

Themes familiar and flowing through the palate. Fine tannin, definite line of black fruit, again that licorice, with subtle fennel notes. Well blended wine, perfectly approachable. Just like he which it honours? 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 24th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $17.50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Mino A Growers Touch Durif 2015

Mino A Growers Touch Durif 2015

  17:00    Stu.

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Sweet, botrytis hints, or rather that candied fruit aroma that you see in botrytis wines. Unusually for the variety it's a light expression, spice riven through the middle and married to an element of sweetness. 

It reminds, somewhat, of something like liebkuchen. Simple and straight forward. Just unsure about it as a wine. 85 

Tasted on: Thursday 27th June, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://minoandco.com.au

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De Bortoli Black Noble Ten Year

De Bortoli Black Noble Ten Year

  14:30    Stu.

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Barrel aged Semillon using the Solera system, where the average wine age is approximately ten years.

Has the deep, dark caramel notes of a wine borne of magnificent stocks of barrel aged (solera) reserves. There's softer, rose petal, notes sitting quietly in the background.

Sweet, unctuous, Silken - has more of a roasted (barrel?) quality to it. I paired this with some high quality - Valrhona - chocolate, the sweetness matches the wine beautifully. 92

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $38 (500ml)
Alcohol: 17.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.debortoli.com.au/

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De Bortoli Down The Lane Shiraz Tempranillo 2015

De Bortoli Down The Lane Shiraz Tempranillo 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Spanish inspired label, Pamplona meets Verona.

Rubbery, bit of reduction, meaty - funk and fugue. Similar vein on the palate: juice and funk, gummy, resiny, fermenting meats. 

Primary and raw, cherries - calls for charcuterie, even olives. Joyous, share food and indeed the fruits of this labour. Not the most complex wine. Flows easily. At the $ you'd not be unhappy either. 88 

Tasted on: Friday 7th July, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $12
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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De Bortoli La Bossa Merlot 2016

De Bortoli La Bossa Merlot 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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Smells like a solid, jammy red - a generous wine, pencil shavings and a smattering of vanilla. Solid start. 

Palate not so sharp. A bitterness pervades, as opposed to the fruit one might expect given the aromatics. Ripeness understood given the level of stated alcohol.

Still, a rub of tannin across the palate. Look, it sits well in the mouth and is well poised. Mustn't grumble at the dollar. 86 

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th July, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $9.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Mino & Co Botrytis Semillon 2013

Mino & Co Botrytis Semillon 2013

  14:30    Stu.

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Tropical Fruits, honeyed.

Layered, sweetness, unctuous. Rich and balances the sweet, with body. Perhaps not the depth of flavour, but works well with sweet food (in this instance a lemon mascarpone Pavlova) 89

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd December

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://minoandco.com.au

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Mino & Co A Growers Touch Shiraz 2016

Mino & Co A Growers Touch Shiraz 2016

  12:30    Stu.

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New producer to me, not entirely sure how they came across my doorstep mind. Lovely packaging and concept, honouring the growers that deliver the fruit that make up the wine.

Carries the leather and earthen elements of Shiraz, combined with floral hints (lavender, violets) with spirity top notes.

Medium bodied. Has a soft, open and airy feel to it. Berry fruit sweetness and juicy to boot. Light and easy. 86 

Tasted on: Sunday 3rd December, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://minoandco.com.au

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Yarran Chardonnay 2012

Yarran Chardonnay 2012

  21:41    Stu.

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Toasty oak, hints of butterscotch, grilled peach and toasted almond.  Pretty smart for $12.  Toasty character dominates the palate, melon in support - good texture, if a little sense of greenness comes through. 

A minor quibble is it falls a little short - a very minor quibble given the character that precedes it on the palate, plus the fact you get pretty smart drinking for the price.  87 - Average

Source: Sample
Price: $12
Alcohol:12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yarranwines.com.au/

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Yarran Pinot Grigio 2012

Yarran Pinot Grigio 2012

  21:13    Stu.

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The fresh crunch of green apple, hints of florals, a little hint of banana lollies and gentle tropical fruits serve as the aromatic introduction.

There's a touch of palate weight here, mineral and (perceived) fruit sweetness.  A little cloying, hints of texture and feel.  Offers good drinking at the price point.  86 - Average

Tasted on: Monday 12th November, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $12
Alcohol:12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yarranwines.com.au

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Yarran Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012

Yarran Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012

  21:07    Stu.

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A new label to me, operating from out of NSW's Riverina region.  The Brewer family have been growers for over 30 years, when son Sam undertook a winemaking degree at CSU the decision was taken to make some wine under their own label.

Sam has gained significant experience across the region, in addition to the Yarra, King and Sonoma (US) valleys.   He joined the family company as full-time winemaker in 2009.

Wine shows good tropicals on the nose: passionfruit, guava - and backed up be fresh citrus.  There's hints of fresh stonefruit in there too - all up an attractive summery proposition.

More of the same carries through the palate, mineral and acid present too with green topical notes.  Shows good acidity from the Semillon along with sharp bite in the form of green apple.  Clean and refreshing - good Summer option.  89 - Good 
 


Tasted on: Sunday 4th November, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $12
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yarranwines.com.au

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