Yelland & Papps Second Take Grenache 2015

Yelland & Papps Second Take Grenache 2015

  14:00    Stu.

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"wild ferment, 31% whole bunches and 21 days on skins before heading into 100% old, seasoned French oak barrels for eight months ageing. It then heads to bottle unfiltered and un-fined"

Grenache, Grenache, Grenache - let me count the ways I love you. When Grenache is made this well, it's a no brainer. Buy some. Now.

Sweet spice: cumin/coriander; segues to red fruit, a little dried herb. 

Supple, lithe, silken scarf of a wine; to call it Pinot-esque sells it short, gossamer threads of tannin provide a fine web structure the wine hangs itself off. 

Fresh and juicy, no simpleton, it has a delicious carry of flavour - spice a little tang under-ripe strawberry as a counterpart. Superb. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 21st February: Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2011

d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2011

  09:30    Stu.

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A blend of 90% Shazza (Shiraz) and 10% Vajazzle (Viognier) - the latter, the 'V' weed, appearing in a percentage in a red wine not seen since the early noughties! 

Opens with a curious mix of savoury, woody hints, freshened up with a little v-weed. The savoury strikes me as a calling card from a cooler vintage, the apricot softening the profile. 

Silken, glossy feel in the mouth; spice presents itself, gently tickling the tongue, slowly rolling across the palate. 

This has settled nicely since first tasted back in September. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 11th Feb: Flower to Leaf
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Dodgy Bros Rosé 2015

Dodgy Bros Rosé 2015

  15:30    Stu.

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A blend of Shiraz (60%) and Grenache (40%), a Rosé made from the saignee method - the bleeding off of some juice from red wine ferments, serves to make a cracking Rosé and concentrate the red wine, win:win. Full solids ferment, aids texture without sugar.

Red berry aromatics leap out of the glass, a little seasoning adds to the aroma. Texture, presence - gorgeous weight to the mid-palate; spice, pepper and berry fruit. Offers some grip on a good length. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 5th November
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.dodgybrotherswines.com/

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Willow Bridge Estate Gravel Pit Shiraz 2014

Willow Bridge Estate Gravel Pit Shiraz 2014

  09:00    Stu.

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Opens with a flash of oak - more new than I recall - with florals (lavender, violets) and underlying blue fruit. There's chocolate, wafer - all up it's comforting, reassuring - just like easing into a favourite chair.

Medium bodied, sweet spiced, with soft and powdery tannin - a little like the crunch of fresh snow.

The finish: subtle; long on flavour, persistent and gentle - rolling waves lapping across the palate. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 1st November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.willowbridge.com.au

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Riversdale Estate Roaring 40s Pinot Grigio 2015

Riversdale Estate Roaring 40s Pinot Grigio 2015

  16:00    Stu.

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Lovely aromatics, all spiced pear with floral twists, lemon grass.

There’s a lovely spine of bristling acidity, jostling about the place, backed up with chalky, dry back palate.

Impressive length, impressive wine. Both at the price, but also with respect to that fact that it’s actually quite a moreish wine, yes - a Grigio that I both very much enjoyed, and also reached back for. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 11th February: Flower to Leaf
Source: Sample
Price: $22.50
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://riversdaleestate.com.au/

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Dodgy Bros 'DODG' Sangiovese 2015

Dodgy Bros 'DODG' Sangiovese 2015

  14:19    Stu.

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"this is a wine that can hopefully bridge the gap between a refeshing rosé, and a serious 

red wine." - Wes Pearson

As winemaker Wes Pearson puts it: "this wine was more crafted, in an attempt to create a red wine that is more appropriate for the hot summers we get here in South Australia". Picked early, use of specific yeasts to emphasise aromatics, a little whole bunch for savoury character and structure and 13% Sellicks Shiraz for a little bass through the middle.

Opens with cola-esque and cherry aromatics; it's bright, fresh and juicy, delivering on intent.

The palate shows a wine that's bright, crunchy, with juicy acidity - a wine that's eager to please. Has an easy going, languid appeal and knows its place. Sees a little juicy cranberry pop up towards the back - further adding to its proposition. 90

Tasted on: Monday 2nd November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.dodgybrotherswines.com/

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Segura Viudas Grand Cuvee Reserva 2011

Segura Viudas Grand Cuvee Reserva 2011

  08:19    Stu.

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Hailing from Torrelavit in the Penedes region, just outside Barcelona. A blend of traditional Spanish varieties – 85% Macabeo and Parellada with 15% traditional sparkling varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Made using the Methode Traditionelle, aged on lees for 15 months, with dosage of 6 g/l.

Toast, a little stonefruit, pithy citrus. The palate deviates from that pattern, with tropical hints of kimquat, lime marmalade and segueing to a little bitter note that gives the sense of additional depth.

Good persistence of flavour, just lacks a little finesse, but there's no doubting the quality:price ratio. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 21st October, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.seguraviudasusa.com/

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