William Hunt Light Pass Mataro 2010

William Hunt Light Pass Mataro 2010

  22:10    Stu.

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Pirate Cru are Negociant team Jennifer Graham and Dirk Pettigrew. A significant Barossa focus, with interests in McLaren Vale and Canbera, their typical crush is around 250 tonnes per vintage. The Light Pass vineyard from which the fruit comes is secured on a viticultural lease.

This, their first Mataro, is naturally of interest to one such as I. One hundred dozen made, off of a single site in the Light Pass district. Plum brandy, damp/ heady moist cake, lick of boot-polish and a touch of spice.

Glycerol feel, tar and licorice, with a hint of chicory bitterness. Slathered on thick on the palate at first, dark chocolate envelopes you. Shows Mataro's familiar depth.

Fine tannin to conclude, palate flavour flows through to the finish, concluding with a touch of warmth.  Of a style that certainly has appeal. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Wednesday 23rd January, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $?
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.piratecru.com/

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[This blog was edited on 07/04/2013 at 21:30 to reflect additional information that Dirk Pettigrew kindly supplied in relation to the holdings of Pirate Cru]

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Terres Dorées Morgon 2010

Terres Dorées Morgon 2010

  16:31    Stu.

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Fresh, hints of cassis and violets, background stone-fruit and citrus tones present too. Morgon is one of the ten Crus of Beaujolais and J-P Brun’s example – natural yeasts, minimal additions - shows a lovely contrast between aromatic freshness and palate depth. 

In the mouth we see the common charcuterie, here with flecks of spice. There’s vibrant spice throughout, backed up with a little drying rub of fine tannin. 92 - Very Good 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th February, a Leaf Day 
Source: Purchase from Importer
Price: $33
Alcohol:12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.livingwines.com.au

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Eldridge Estate PTG 2012

Eldridge Estate PTG 2012

  06:16    Stu.

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--> Nod to the Passe-Tout-Grains of Burgundy where the cohabitation of Gamay and Pinot Noir are permitted.  Here the 51/49 split respectively, results in a tangy red compote with some background pot pourri florals.   

Juicy and vibrant, the wine possesses a delightful core of enlivening acid, with a touch of tartness that has you yearning for more. Good fruit definition enables light chilling - eminently drinkable.  90 Good 


Tasted on: Monday 28th February, a Leaf Day
Source: Winery purchase
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://eldridge-estate.com.au/

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Sorrenberg Gamay 2011

Sorrenberg Gamay 2011

  06:05    Stu.

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Flag-bearer for the variety in Australia, classic packaging too depicting the Beechworth clock tower. Iconic in some respects, and the quality of the booze within backs it up.

Gamay (90%) with a little Pinot Noir (10%) provides a charcuterie and peppercorn nose, supported by black cherry and savoury character.  

Tangy, sour, meat and black pepper palate, a magnificent penetrating line of acid delivering savoury length. 

Shows Gamay in a slightly darker, sullen, moodier guise – yet still with a generosity and liveliness – a magnificent example. 93 - Very Good

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th January, a Fruit Day
Source:Retail, Grand Central Cellars  
Price: $47
Alcohol:12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.sorrenberg.com/

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Vinoque Gamay 2012

Vinoque Gamay 2012

  21:34    Stu.

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The 2011 version of this wine was a classic case of the maxim: "judge the wine, not the vintage". 

This version carries its own calling card from 2012, along with the winemaking techniques employed - stemmy and sappy with a hint of mushroom and earth, along with slightly higher-toned fruit character than the earlier release. 

Shows good depth on the palate, slightly sullen, with a hint of mineral and cured meat. More of the same on the finish, accompanied by a slight hint of pastille – some spritz evident. Touch of peppery spice to conclude. 90 – Good 

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd February, a Root Day

Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol:12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.debortoli.com.au/our-wines/our-brands/vinoque/

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Bird on a Wire Marsanne 2011

Bird on a Wire Marsanne 2011

  21:10    Stu.

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Texture, texture, texture. Not overlooking the aromatic department, which itself shows a creamy mix of white flowers, a soap-nut-toffee note with a fresh herb and honeyed edge. 

A roll call of descriptors could be peeled off, but in some respects that would detract from where, for me, its true interest lies.

Creamy, savoury, a sharp pinprick of acidity that provides focus and conclusion on the palate. There's a mineral edged dance, a tango across the tongue. 

 It's too clever to be outright smashable, but by jove it commands to be savoured. 95 - Excellent

Tasted on: Sunday 3rd February, a Flower Day
Source:Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $37
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.birdonawirewines.com.au/

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Dandelion Vineyard Lion's Tooth Shiraz 2008

Dandelion Vineyard Lion's Tooth Shiraz 2008

  09:26    Stu.

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 "It might just save us from the jam..."

~ Philip White, Drinkster

Co-fermentation of Shiraz and Riesling are not a new technique, apparently Peter Lehmann started using the technique back in the 60s.  It's a way of adding natural acidity to a wine, where it's not present in the fruit forming the basis of the wine, saves over-acidification with commercial additives.

This at 4-5 years still shows sweet fruit, toasty oak character and regional thumbprint of dense, sweet chocolate.  However, the palate shows the greater influence of the addition of the Riesling.

There's hazelnut, chocolate, licorice here - yet it's not so full, the Riesling seems to keep it a little trim, adding a fresh citrus tinged aspect to the wine.  Has the impression of giving length and legs.  Drinkability plus.  91 - Very Good   



Tasted on: Thursday 31st January, a Root Day
Source:retail, Wine Experience
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.dandelionvineyards.com.au

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

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