Clovely Estate Saperavi 2016

Clovely Estate Saperavi 2016

  17:30    Stu.

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Saperavi, an interesting one, seemingly finding a home in Queensland two recognised GIs. 

Dark fruited with a savoury undertow, spice tinged and that all manifests itself on the palate. 

Somewhat large tannins, good structure, the kind of wine that demands a red protein, perhaps in a lavish sauce to counter that tannin. 

Mouth-coating and palate filling. Certainly true to variety and gives the impression of conveying the rich South Burnett soils too. For $25 an excellent addition to an ever shifting vinous landscape. 90 

Tasted on: Tuesday 27th August, a Flower day
Source: Winery Purchase
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clovely.com.au

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Clovely Estate Barbera 2015

Clovely Estate Barbera 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Interesting to taste this example alongside Andrew Margan's Hunter Valley example.

Exhibiting that hallmark sour cherry for which the variety is famed, it also carries a more savoury line, a little time under oak lending some spice and oak derived aromas.

Deliciously medium bodied, the freshness of the wine carrying the vitality for which the variety is known. Plum, cherry, spice making up the constituent parts and giving a reasonable length. Good wine. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 29th April
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: clovely.com.au

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Barambah First Grid Verdelho 2016

Barambah First Grid Verdelho 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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Winemaker Peter Scudamore-Smith MW: "I used my experience of making Riesling with this wine, that in conjunction with use of phenolics from skin contact wines". It shows.

From Queensland's South Burnett region, some three hours Nort-West of its capital Brisbane.

A little dried grass, peach skin.

Palate shows good balance between texture with retained acid - providing width and length. Fruit character shines through with pear segments, lychee

Good length, flowing, phenolics add extra interest, grip. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 24th December, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://barambah.com.au/

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Barambah Rack Dried Semillon 2010

Barambah Rack Dried Semillon 2010

  13:21    Stu.

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A lovely liquid amber in the glass, the concentrated flavours in this wine are the result of rack-drying for 5 weeks.

Treacly, dried straw, apricot, honey and dried citrus rind. It's thick and lavish in feel. Apricots, dried stonefruit, golden syrup qualities here. Length is a little on the slow burn, creeping up on you. 

A delightful dessert style, I paired this with a citrus and chocolate cake with a little creme anglaise poured over. Apricot tart or panacotta would be another good option - you'd want the sugar cranked up to at least nine to handle the wine. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 19th April, a Leaf Day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $34
Alcohol: 10.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.barambah.com.au/

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Clovely Estate Left Field Sangiovese 2013

Clovely Estate Left Field Sangiovese 2013

  09:14    Stu.

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Opens with juicy aromatics, cherry and dried herbs. It's medium bodied, juicy and vibrant - and at a year old, you'd expect it to be in that mould.

Possesses a good tang with some drying tannin; vibrant acidity - all nicely in check and cuts through a tomato sauce nicely - works well with and without food, the former enhancing the fruit a little.

Concludes with powdery tannins. Commendable. 88

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th March, a Root Day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $?
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.clovely.com.au/

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Queensland Wine Week: 1st-8th April 2013

Queensland Wine Week: 1st-8th April 2013

  19:24    Stu.

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This is not an official event, but rather a personal initiative I plan to undertake on the above dates. Simply put, for the specified period I plan to drink and blog about Queensland wines. Not a Queenslander by birth, but I do consider it my 'State of Origin' and do enjoy exploring its liquid outputs.

I'll be raiding the cellar, visiting some of Brisbane's fine independent retailers and possibly even using the Easter long weekend as a good excuse to get up to the Granite Belt. I'll be looking to showcase some of the great examples coming out of the state.

For those of you who might want to 'play' along, a quick scout of some of Brisbane's retailers has shown that most stock wines from the fair state. I shall update this as I find more, and feel free to leave a comment for any others you know of.


Grand Central Cellars
Witches Falls
Robert Channon   

Stewart's Wine Co.
Witches Falls
Golden Grove

Wine @ Era
Raven's Croft
Mason Wines

Wine Experience 
Robert Channon
Ravens croft
Pyramid's Road
Hidden Creek
Tobin 
Mason
Summit Estate

In addition to those Brisbane retailers listed above, there's the Clovely Estate City Cellar Door in Red Hill and those in the South Burnett of course have the Taste South Burnett outlet.

Would love to hear from anyone else who may be inspired to follow along at home.


Follow the action on twitter: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac and #QLDWineWeek

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Clovely Estate 'Left Field' Barbera 2010

Clovely Estate 'Left Field' Barbera 2010

  10:35    Stu.

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Clovely Estate is Queensland's largest producer.  Based out of the South Burnett, they are also one of a handful of wineries to open - and succssfully maintain - a city based Cellar Door.  Their 'Left Field' range, showcases slightly more alternative grape varieties - such as this Barbera.

Barbera has its home in Piedmont - 'foot of the mountain' - in Italy's North-West, although it is widely planted elsewhere in Italy.  Can be either young, fruity and cherry fresh; alternatively it can show up as dark and serious.

This example is black in colour, a contrast to the bright, vibrant juicy - nigh polished cherry - aroma from within.  A clean, juicy, soft and rounded palate.  It's fresh with good acidity - as expected from the variety - perfect for cutting through rich tomato based sauces, or pairing well with pizza.  There's a lovely little aniseed twist on the end too.

Generous peak of acid at the conclusion, if a little short on length - one for enjoyment now.  That said the acid likely to soften over time and allow for some complexity to develop, suggest 3-5 years.  Enjoy.  88 - Good

Source: Cellar Door

Price: $20

Alcohol: 14.2%

Closure: Screwcap

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

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

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