Golden Grove Rosé Brose 2020

Golden Grove Rosé Brose 2020

  16:30    Stu.

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I tasted two separate bottles over consecutive weeks, taking notes on each, for no other reason than I could. 

Challenging vintage conditions in his home region saw winemaker Ray Costanzo source fruit from the Chalmers Vineyard out at Mildura to create this Rosé, it being crafted from Sagrantino and Vermentino. 

A bright, floral, quite evocative perfume. It smells of warmer days ahead, of breezes flowing through a Summer garden, strawberries on a summer berry pudding. 

It's the palate that really captures the imagination, the Sagrantino - a variety known for tannins - has been well handled, providing a light phenolic rub. It's a talcum like feel that provides an initial presence, further enhanced by a lemony tang of acidity brought by the Vermentino.

Served cool, harnessing the textural components, providing focus for the citrus tinged zip - from the Vermentino component one would hazard. 

Line and focus, a phenolic chalky addition supplements that profile, radiating out across the palate. It's well worked, expertly judged and more than poised to feature heavily in my drinking repertoire over the Summer ahead. 93 

Tasted on: Monday 17th and Monday 24th August 

Source: Cellar Door
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.goldengroveestate.com.au/

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d'Arenberg The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsualt 2012

d'Arenberg The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsualt 2012

  08:30    Stu.

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Unsure what happened to this release, whether it was forgotten about, laying dormant for some time, or it actually is intended to be released as a 7 year old - rather unusual. 96% Sagrantino, 4% Cinsault.

Cherry, Plum, woody spice - almost exotic, with its fragrance lifting gently out of the glass. Drying, powdery tannin structure. Savoury, very little of the fruit presence, yet retaining the acidity. Remnants of oak linger, it's home for 24 months. It certainly needs some form of protein to lap up the gravelly tannins. 92

Tasted on: Monday 18th February, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap 
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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Angullong Fossil Hill Sagrantino 2015

Angullong Fossil Hill Sagrantino 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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Bright, floral in initial introduction - lurking underneath, a more savoury bent. It's a little fennel seed like, a grind of nutmeg.

Full, big grippy tannins that dominate the palate - its varietal, for sure. Tannins that seem to morph into fine, powdery tannins. Needs food, for sure. Something grilled, barbecued. 

On a cracking length of flavour - keeps you thinking. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 15th April, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.angullong.com.au/

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Notes from Swirl Sniff Spit's 'Australian Small Winemakers Show Tasting'

Notes from Swirl Sniff Spit's 'Australian Small Winemakers Show Tasting'

  20:21    Stu.

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Brisbane wine tasting group Swirl Sniff Spit (disclosure: in case you aren't aware, I am one part of the duo that facilitates the Swirl Sniff Spit tastings) was joined by Queensland Winemaker Andy Williams to taste through some Queensland wines from the recent Australian Small Winemakers Show, where Andy was Chairman of Judges.

There was no singular purpose to the tasting, in part we were looking at a mix of wines from emerging grape varieties, in part it was looking at wines from the Granite Belt region; there was some discussion/ raising awareness of the ASWS, along with insight into the wine show system. 

Attendees were introduced to each wine, the typical characteristics of the variety in question and were then invited to smell and taste the wines before reaching their own conclusion as to the medal-worthiness (or otherwise) of the wine in question.

Notes below are my own from the night, with my own 'score' along with the actual score achieved at the show. I wanted to get this up - even though it was some three months ago - as I enjoyed the exercise. Yes, it is about me.

Bracket 1 - Unwooded Whites
Robert Channon Pinot Gris 2013: apple, florals - good aroma; subtle texture, acid - finishing with good texture, phenolics, length. My Score: 17.5/Silver; Actual: 15.5/15/16 Bronze

Robert Channon Verdelho 2013: Estery with good tropicals; clean and crisp - good acids with good balance. Length moderate, texture, finishes well. My Score: 16.5/Bronze; Actual: 15/15/16.5 Bronze

Bracket 2 - Oaked Whites
Mason Chardonnay 2012: Struck match complexity, creamy oak and citrus; fuller palate weight with mineral 'zing, full flavour; textural with good length. My Score: 17.5/Silver Actual: 18.5/18.5/18.5 Gold

Ballandean Viognier 2013: Good varietal aromatics on offer, shows some partial barrel ferment character with hints of ginger/ spice; good length - spice derived. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 16/14.5/16 Bronze

Whiskey Gully Colombard 2012: Stone and pine nut; hard acid on the palate which is a touch flat. Little phenolic pinch on the back. My Score: DNS Actual: 15.5/15.5/15.5 Bronze 

Bracket 3 - Tempranillo
Moonrise Estate 2013: Bright, vibrant with blue/red fruits - clearly in the Joven style. Juicy palate, a little tannin but primarily about the fruit. My Score: 15.5/Bronze Actual: 16/14/16.5 Bronze

Banca Ridge 2011: Oak, chocolate/coffee with hints of background fruit; Tannin early - fine grained. Presents a little bitterness at the back end. My Score: 14.5/No Medal Actual: 15/15.5.16.5 Bronze

Bracket 4 - Red Bracket 1
Ridgemill Merlot 2012: Oak, cedar and tapenade. Palate shows as a mix of juicy, spicy with fine dusty tannin. Fruit shows through on the finish with quality and persistence. My Score: 17/Bronze Actual: 17.5/16.5/18.5 Silver

Ridgemill Jacquez 2012: Savoury, woody aromatics. Medium bodied, spicy. Tannin a curious combination of fine, yet chewy. My Score: 15.5/Bronze Actual: 16/17/15 Bronze

Preston Peak Sagrantino 2011: Savoury hints; palate shows red berry, black pepper- grainy tannin, concluding with a savoury tail. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 16.5/16.5/16.5

Bracket 5 - Red Bracket 2
Pyramids Road Shiraz 2012: Fruit driven, medium bodied and juicy. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 17/16.5.18.5 Gold

Ballandean Saperavi 2012: Good fruit presence, supporting oak; generosity of spice, ripe tannins. Fine grained tannin, spice with excellent length - persistent. My Score: 18/Silver Actual: 17/18.5/16.5 Silver

Tasted on: Tuesday 19th November
Source: Swirl Sniff Spit
Price: $Free
Alcohol: 5 Brackets
Closure: About 10pm
Website: http://www.asws.com.au

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Preston Peak Sagrantino 2008

Preston Peak Sagrantino 2008

  10:30    Stu.

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Preston Peak’s Cellar Door is a leisurely 90-minute drive from Brisbane.  On the outskirts of Toowoomba, it sits majestically atop the Great Dividing Range, with fantastic views looking back East across the plain.

The fruit for this wine is sourced from estate plantings at their Devil’s Elbow vineyard on the Granite Belt.  Rustic aromatics: earthen and woody, with a furtive plummy depth trying to bring itself out.

In the mouth it’s immediately savoury, the tannin that is a signature of the variety is noticeable, here intertwined with hints of woody spice and dark cherry fruit character.  Falls away a little to leave acid and good drying tannin.  88 - Good

Postscript
The above note is as it apears in Gram Magazine, where the review first appeared.  After tasting over 2 days I placed the wine back on the shelf, two days later I just happened to give myself another pour and noted that the wine had opened a little further.  Subsequently I would actually score this closer to 90/91 (should you concern yourself with such matters).
 
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $32
Alcohol:14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.prestonpeak.com/

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