Break Free Petite Blancs 2022

Break Free Petite Blancs 2022

  08:22    Stu.

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Swan Valley Chenin Blanc with Margaret River Chardonnay and Frankland River Gewurztraminer.

Unfiltered, giving it a Barley water-esque haze - something I don't mind in a wine, but shits me no end in a beer.

Plenty of interest mind: musky aromatics, pear juice dribbling across the palate, creamy almond in the mix too.

There's a creamy mid-palate with spikes of acidity. Certainly not your run of the mill white and all the more interesting for it. The sum of the parts and all that. 

Tasted on: Thursday 9th February
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Silkwood Estate The Bowers Shiraz 2015

Silkwood Estate The Bowers Shiraz 2015

  07:30    Stu.

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Deep and robust Shiraz from Silkwood Estate of Pemberton, in Western Australia's South-East. 

Plums, a meaty - almost gamey - edge, gives it a firm and deep profile. Hints of pencil shaving, cloven spice and pepper add to the depth and allure. 

Light and supple, at odds to the aromatic depths it charts, a feint minerality. Freshness by way of Satsuma Plum. 89 

Tasted on: Saturday 24th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.silkwoodestate.com.au

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Singlefile Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015

Singlefile Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Nettle, grass, herbal, citrus - that reads like one of those on trend menus at a swanky eatery.

Tropical fruit hints open, making way to lemon and a little lime; spice presents itself before a harder bitter citrus punctuation. Minerally conclusion, long on flavour. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 9th October, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.singlefilewines.com/

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Singlefile Pinot Gris 2015

Singlefile Pinot Gris 2015

  15:30    Stu.

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Ticks the right boxes aromatically with a cocktail of pear flesh, florals, vanilla and spice. Manages to avoid over expression; a delicate and subtle representation of the variety and style. 

Pleasant mid-weight, a suggestion of vanilla and creme with a little almond residue mid-stream. Sweet spice, a lingering presence. Reasonable length. 90 

Tasted on: Thursday 28th July, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.singlefilewines.com/

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Ferngrove Symbols Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Ferngrove Symbols Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  20:20    Stu.

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Faint tropicals, citrus - lemon and lime - smells like dilute cordial. Manages to shun the pungent aromas - but goes too far the other way.

Thin, bitter, Little redemption, save perhaps its resemblance to a weak, cheap, gin and tonic. Not much on the finish either. There's greater pleasure - and value - to be had elsewhere in the Ferngrove range. Not here I'm afraid. 82

Tasted on: Friday 6th March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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Willow Bridge Estate 'G1-10' Chardonnay 2013

Willow Bridge Estate 'G1-10' Chardonnay 2013

  06:48    Stu.

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I'm not entirely sure what a G1-10 is. An internet search for the same reveals anything ranging from an environmental protection law to musical instruments through to a French autoroute.

In this guise, we have fine Chardonnay from Western Australia's Geographe wine region.

Made pretty much in the en vogue style: hand-picked with whole bunch inclusion and wild yeast ferments. Sexy. Pull your nose in to make the acquaintance of the smooth skinned flesh of nectarine with a touch of fresh citrus; oak here is a bit player, lending a toasty touch to proceedings.

Stonefruit, melon, minerally with citrus acid; it feels open and loose, yet the citrus acidity provides line and focus on the palate. Leading to generous length, carrying all with it in a final flourish. Give it an extra year and it will really be singing. 93+

Tasted on: Saturday 6th December, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.willowbridge.com.au

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Leaping Lizard Cabernet Merlot 2012

Leaping Lizard Cabernet Merlot 2012

  14:00    Stu.

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Much preferred this over the Shiraz out of the same portfolio. 

Plum, oak/mocha, cassis and blackcurrant - in short a very attractive co-variety introduction here.

Flow-on to the palate, firm and drying tannin - a wine that offers balance, integrity and decent length. 86/7

Tasted on: Thursday 13th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://leapinglizard.com.au/

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Leaping Lizard Shiraz 2012

Leaping Lizard Shiraz 2012

  13:57    Stu.

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Attractive mix of fruit, a waft of vanilla, veering to a little mocha.

Smooth entry, touch of blackcurrant pastille that moves to an unattractive back bite. Reasonable length, composition not quite pulling together for me. 84

Tasted on: Thursday 13th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://leapinglizard.com.au/

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Leaping Lizard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Leaping Lizard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  15:44    Stu.

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Leaping Lizard is the entry level 'critter' brand of regarded Great Southern producer Ferngrove.

Pear, citrus and musk. Fresh with some tropical fruit fleshiness. Pear makes a reappearance, more about the texture here. Despite having less to say than about the Sauvignon Blanc stable mate, marginal preference for this wine. 86

Tasted on: Sunday 26th October, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://leapinglizard.com.au/

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Leaping Lizard Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Leaping Lizard Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  15:40    Stu.

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Leaping Lizard is the entry level 'critter' brand of regarded Great Southern producer Ferngrove.

Clear tropicals, of passionfruit and kiwi fruit - actually shows some restraint for a variety that is known for its pungent, overt aromatics.

Open and generous, showing a little musk and spice; clean, a little zip of acidity about the palate. A little washy, but you'd be happy with this at the price point. 85

Tasted on: Sunday 26th October, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://leapinglizard.com.au/

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

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