Zonte's Footstep Scarlet Ladybird Rosé 2019

Zonte's Footstep Scarlet Ladybird Rosé 2019

  17:00    Stu.

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With Spring just around the corner, a Berry laden Rosé was just the ticket as overnight lows start to climb and lead us to humidity. 

And with those thoughts came so many musical excerpts, thoughts of summer breezes (makes me feel fine), and listening to the wind (of my soul, where I'll end up only God only knows), not sure where those thoughts took me, or what the answer is (the answer my friend is blowing in the wind). 

Those berry notes certainly evoked such thoughts, and those same notes consistent across the palate too. Beauty can often lie in simplicity, here the generosity takes this beyond the purely simple. 

A delightful start to warmer months, with its kiss of fruit sweetness. 88 

Tasted on: Monday 26th August, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.zontesfootstep.com.au

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Silkwood Estate The Walcott Chardonnay 2018

Silkwood Estate The Walcott Chardonnay 2018

  12:30    Stu.

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Full, creamy cashew, wheaten, stonefruit - almost nectar like.

More of the same on the palate, peach nectar; some hints of oak and toasty Ferment, but somewhat overshadowed by the fruit. Stylistically not my personal jam, but it'll be sure to have its fans. 88 

Tasted on: Monday 19th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.silkwoodestate.com.au

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Wills Domain Mystic Spring Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Wills Domain Mystic Spring Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Dark chocolate and cocoa nibs, coffee grounds in the frame too, subtle herb and cedary inflections round things out.

Black fruit meets fine and powdery tannin, reasonable length on the back of slight bittering cocoa notes. Palate consistent with aromatics, the grounds and mocha elements lingering. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 18th August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://willsdomain.com.au/

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Gartelmann Jonathan Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Gartelmann Jonathan Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

  17:30    Stu.

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Sees 14m in a mix (new/old) American and French oak. It's a bold and powerful wine, oak remnants with seasoning - by way of herb, cedar. Fruit is not forgotten, blackcurrant with a touch of violet in the frame too.

Acid is fresh and at you, tart Blueberry like, bright in how it comes across. Tannins pucker. Up nicely, delivering flavour long in the palate. Drink to 2030. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 16th August, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.gartelmann.com.au

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Silkwood Estate The Walcott Shiraz 2017

Silkwood Estate The Walcott Shiraz 2017

  12:30    Stu.

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The kinda Shiraz you want to sink into from the off: plum, blue fruit hints, sweet spice kiss of oak. 

Doesn't disappoint on the palate, subtle powdery tannin hints that carry flavour across the palate, providing a frame for the fruit to make a resurgent appearance. I offer that I doubt you'll be disappointed here. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 13th August, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.silkwoodestate.com.au

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2016

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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28m in French Oak barriques (25% new). From Wrattonbully, close planted vines in Terra rossa soil over limestone. A mere 1200 bottles produced.

Enticing from the get go: succulent red fruit, by way of redcurrant and perhaps a suggestion of cranberry. Oak frames it up, adding depth and seasoning to the red fruit. Fruit takes on a darker form with some time, the oak becoming more prominent with it. 

Medium bodied, powder-fine tannin. A wine of exquisite structure. A freshness of acidity provides a focal spine and carries length. It's a framework about which the fruit hangs, and it comes with a subtlety. It's a quality wine for sure. Haunting, almost, in how it lingers long on the memory. 95 

Tasted on: Sunday 18th August, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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Castle Rock Estate Skywalk Porongurup Riesling 2019

Castle Rock Estate Skywalk Porongurup Riesling 2019

  17:30    Stu.

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Muskiness, bath salts, lemon sherbet, Passionfruit, perhaps even a smattering of mango. 

Softer, rounded feel, acidity not missing, just broader in profile. It fills the palate, delivering length, width and a joyous refreshment. Hint of powdery phenolics just add to the overall whole.

It grows in stature with some time, yet another impressive release from this winery. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 18th August, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au

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