Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Shiraz 2017

Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Shiraz 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Back in the (very) early days of this blog, the wines of Moppity Vineyard - to this day owned and operated by Jason and Alicia Brown - were some of the first reviewed. Brand awareness off the back of an active social media presence, when Twitter was a vibrant hive of the Australian wine scene. 

Savoury mien, grilled meat aspects over black fruit. Subtle herb and spice twists. The palate offers more definition, black fruited presence with cool climate peppery twists; tannin fine, running long with flavour across the palate. 

What strikes me is the offer of fruit, of place, balanced, with presence and persistence. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 9th September, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au/

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Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

  21:55    Stu.

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William Hunt Shiraz from the Pirate Cru. To get a true feel for a wine and its metier, meet the maker. I must have had the pleasure of knowing Dirk and Jen from the Cru for something approaching 8-9 years now, yet they continually surprise!

Here a deep and Dark Barossan Shiraz to its very core, or Plum and Mulberry - just sitting over earthen and chocolate notes. The palate medium to dull, hints of chocolate and smatterings of rasoebtty / red fruit softening things up. 

Still at 4 years it's primary, and fresh - and I'd wager for 10-15y ahead of it. 93 

Tasted on: Saturday 21st September, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au/

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Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2015

Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2015

  16:30    Stu.

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A mix of French and American oak has left its mark here: rich, deep and nutty. Black fruit seems almost secondary to the oak, but its presence is felt nonetheless.

Caramel and dark chocolate, and I tried this alongside some 85% cocoa to test it out, tannin is grainy and assertive. There's yet a finesse, a line of assuredness, once you get beyond the initial oak bluster. It will age well, of that I have no doubt. 93 - 2023-2038 

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th September, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au

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Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

  08:30    Stu.

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Montelpulciano is an expressive beast. This example, at five years of age, from the Barossa's Vine Vale sub-region is no exception. 

Plum, violets, hints of rose and black cherry; subtle it necessarily isn't, a full frontal aromatic assault from the get go, yet balance could well be one of its watchwords. The palate speaks of dark spice, backed up by black fruit and garrigue like herb. 

Even at five years it's still expressive, bright and vital. Acid and tannin still carrying an offering. This was paired with a fennel sausage ragu, more than equal to each other. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 15th September, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $27.95
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Fermented in 600L French oak demi-muids, then on full solids in the same for 8m.

Sauvignon Blanc re-thought. Conveys vanilla creme and almond paste, elements of herb remain, subtle - the considered hand of Xavier Bizot ironically writ large here. The time on full lees is evident through the substantive palate presence. 

Aromatics flow through on the palate, the creamy aspects a force here. A guiding frame of acid provides the structure for the wine to hang off. An impressive finish, subtle and yet generous to a tee. Sauvignon Blanc to a new level. 95 

Tasted on: Friday 4th October, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2019

Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2019

  18:43    Stu.

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Stonefruit over citrus. Minerally, semblance of texture and weight, as if to give the impression of sweetness - yet it's dry. Barrel fermentation has added depth and complexity here.

Further stonefruit makes its way to the palate, supplemented by notes of melon. Gives and aids length, finishing long. Quality wine. 93

Tasted on: Thursday 3rd October, a Leaf day 

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.harewoodestate.com.au
Sample Courtesy Of: https://www.singlevineyards.com

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Moppity Vineyards Crafted Grenache Shiraz 2018

Moppity Vineyards Crafted Grenache Shiraz 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Slight hints of yeasty funk, sitting over the top of succulent red fruit. Raspberry in the main, hints of wild strawberry dominating - the Grenache, unmistakeable.

It's medium bodied, the depth of fruit alluding to the contribution of the Shiraz. Riven with spice: black pepper, clove and a suggestion of anise. Concludes on a savoury line, at stark odds to the prime fruit presence that came before it. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 8th September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au

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

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