Taylors Estate Shiraz 2012

Taylors Estate Shiraz 2012

  13:55    Stu.

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Initially quite muted, opens up sufficiently to reveal hints of fruit, a little floral lift and a touch of Marzipan. Entry is smooth, fairly glossy and a little oak showing itself. Well constructed wine, does well at its price point.

Pleasurable mouthfeel, a little blackcurrant pastille and gentle acid. Length is moderate, nicely textured. Shop around and you can find this below full tote. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Monday 27th May, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $18.95
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au

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Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

  13:45    Stu.

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Some parcels see an extended period on skins of two weeks, overall spends 12 months in barrel, oak is French of which 5% is new.

Mix of aromas here, with red and black fruits, touches of choc-mint patty, choco-maltiness and a touch of fresh rolling baccy early on.

Tannin is fine, oddly picked up a little strawberry here, hint of chocolate too. Seems a little flat in its flavour profile. Finish shows good persistence, picking up the palate. Doesn't pull together quite as cohesively as some of the individual parts would allude too. 88 - Good

Tasted on:Sunday 26th May, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $18.95
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au

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Mount Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2009

Mount Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2009

  21:15    Stu.

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The 2009 was sourced exclusively from estate fruit grown on the western slopes at Mount Langi Ghiran. Whole bunch inclusion formed a significant portion of the wine's make-up, as it has in subsequent vintages.

Interesting, alluring aromatic mix with plum and violets, a little smoky/ meaty note that afronts some sweeter cherry bakewell notes. To add to the picture are hazelnut and almond.

It's exquisitely smooth, nigh effortless to drink. Excellent balance of acid, peppery flecks and ultra-fine tannin. The wine's layered quality cascades the flavours and then reels you back in for another go. It has that rare quality of at once seeming simple and complex, unsure whether to sip or savour.

The finish is long, detailed, layered and fine. Composure and balance are two of its watchwords. At its conclusion there is a contrast between savoury nuances and the fruit, the two in tandem creating a compelling drinking proposition. 94 - Excellent

Tasted on: Thursday 30th May, a Root Day
Source: Gift
Price: $23 if you shop wisely
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.langi.com.au/

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Symphonia Pinot Grigio 2012

Symphonia Pinot Grigio 2012

  15:18    Stu.

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The Symphonia vineyard near Myrrhee in Victoria's King Valley was first planted in 1981. The fruit for this PG has been previously taken by De Bortoli, now Symphonia are looking to forge ahead with wines under their own label and name.

This is a slightly different Pinot Grigio from many that you may encounter on the market. Has the aromatic profile of the variety, courtesy of a little green apple and melon character. However it’s actually on the palate where things take a little detour.

A few winemakers’ tricks have imparted textural quality on the wine, that is, enhanced mouthfeel. Acidity is nicely pitched, and finishes with a little briny tang. Good intensity too. Well worth seeking out. 90 - Good

Source: Sample
Price: $ 20
Alcohol: TBA
Closure: Screwcap
Website: In Production

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S.C.Pannell Tinto 2010

S.C.Pannell Tinto 2010

  10:01    Stu.

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Stephen Pannell was quite possibly born to make wine. The son of Moss Wood founder Bill Pannell, Stephen has worked at the likes of Wirra Wirra and Hardys. He now calls McLaren Vale home, and was honoured by his peers with the title of 'Bushing King' (an award for the best wine at the McLaren Vale Regional Wine Show) in 2011.

This wine, a blend of Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz and Touriga Nacional, strikes a lovely between the fruity nature of Grenache against its darker, spicier edge. There are raspberry and floral notes alongside a hint of mocha and hazelnut biscotti.

Ultra fine tannin that settles itself away over a day – if you can keep your hands off of it – it’s squarely medium bodied. It’s a wine of many parts, each adding up and contributing to the wine’s overall quality. The finish is easy going and drying, a wine you could quite happily slug back and contemplate in equal measure. 90 –Good

Source: Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.pannell.com.au

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Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2010

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2010

  11:13    Stu.

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Toolangi Vineyards is owned by Gary and Julie Hounsell, located in the (unofficial) Yarra sub-region of Dixon's Creek, the Hounsell's approach is to grow the best fruit possible, and then to allow wines to be made per their designs by some of Victoria's leading winemakers. This example was made by Oakride Chief Winemaker, David Bicknell.

An open, honest Chardonnay you just want to embrace and enjoy its many parts – and they are manyfold. Opens with stonefruit, a little background citrus and sensibly handled toasty oak.

That oak comes from 10 months in large format wod - this case, 500L puncheons - of which only 25% was new. It doesn't go through malolactic fermentation, an important consideration in understanding the structure.

The palate shows another facet: opening with a flinty note, segueing to a lithe, supple middle – fluid, racy. Shows a touch of butterscotch for further interest, plenty going on – without being overbearing. Good length to boot, staying power – holding interest long after the glass is gone. 93 - Very Good

Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.toolangi.com

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Brash Higgins NDV Nero d'Avola 2011

Brash Higgins NDV Nero d'Avola 2011

  14:59    Stu.

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Artists find inspiration from many sources. The source of inspiration for this Nero d'Avola from McLaren Vale is some 15,000 kilometres away in Sicily, the home of this grape variety and the home of COS wines. COS ferment their top tier wines in 400L clay amphorae sunk into the ground, and it is this production technique that Brad Hickey of Brash Higgins chose to adopt for this local homage.

Hickey grafted over the Nero onto some Shiraz root stock back in 2009. The variety is pretty hardy, drought-resistant, a good suit for the Mediterranean climes of McLaren Vale.

Drought resistant. Except that the start of vintage in 2011 was at the tail of Australia's wettest July - December (2010) on record. Overlook that fact. Look at the beauty within.

Spending seven months on skins across 6 200L wax-lined clay amphorae. The result is so expressive, so pretty. Even a short time in glass sees a marked evolution in the wine's aromatic profile. Initially spicy, hints of dark gingerbread waft out of the glass. Moving to florals, opening up to cherry, dried herb and lavender. Beautiful. Quite possibly like nothing else.

In the mouth an unbelievable lightness. You might just say medium-bodied. Has a delicacy to it, yet it's assured. There's a little tannic texture, some aniseed, a twist of pepper, sour cherry and acidic tang. Light, bright and long is how it finishes. So fresh, just love the way it morphs. A shapeshifter. Consume and prepare to be consumed. 93 - Very Good 

Tasted on: Tuesday 28th May, a Fruit Day
Source: Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $37
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://brashhiggins.com

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