Alkoomi Frankland River Chardonnay 2011

Alkoomi Frankland River Chardonnay 2011

  12:17    Stu.

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Having reviewed a variety of Alkoomi wines across different wines, varieties and vintages, I've got to say they consistently hit the mark at their respective price points. This Chardonnay is no exception.

Opens with the flinty, smokey character redolent of barrel fermentation; supplement this with the suggestion and grapefruit aromatics and you have a wine representative of region and the winemaker's hand.

The palate shows the creamy feel ahead of a flinty note, suggestive of battonage; grapefruit acidity backs this up. Acidity is toned a little through the techniques employed and also as a consequence of a warmer year. The finish is moderate, but there's plenty of interest here. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 6th October, a Flower Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21.50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://alkoomiwines.com.au

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[This post was edited at 07:37 on 13/10/2013 to correct the price to $21.50 from the previously stated $24]

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Nanny Goat Syrah 2012

Nanny Goat Syrah 2012

  12:47    Stu.

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Syrah from Central Otago is an interesting proposition. Generally a region considered cool, needs judicious site selection to work.

Black fruited, a little fruits of the forest; violets with a beefy  meaty hint. Notes of spicy oak, vanilla.

White pepper, fairly open and flacid, squarely medium bodied. Juicy, and yet again that meatiness comes through the middle too. Smooth and creamy with hints of chocolate. The parts work together to create an attractive drinking proposition. 88

Tasted on: Friday 4th October, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $?
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.nannygoatvineyard.co.nz/

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Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

  12:31    Stu.

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Built for the long haul and the cellar - approachable now, but I do believe that Cabernet needs a good sleep before showing at its best.

Opens with flashes of oak, eucalypt and a dense core of black fruit: cassis, damson and their ilk. Cedary, hints of mocha and coffee oak - a good solid Cabernet core.

The palate shows spice, freshened up with good acid; tannin is drying, good and chewy - you just want to see how they'll look once softened. Finishes with a meaty twist, salumi-esque in some regards Well structured. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd October, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $69.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.tahbilk.com.au

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Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling 2013

Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling 2013

  12:36    Stu.

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Complex aromatics here, a combination of fresh baked apple pie with spicy notes; a little cidery touch, Bickford's lime cordial and bath salts.

The palate is a little different too, not your razor Rizza that many of you may be familiar with, a little lees ageing has created a softer, fuller palate profile. Familiar lime still courses through the palate, providing the much sought refreshment that Riesling offers, yet it also comes with textural interest, notes of waxy lemons, powdery/ chalky phenolics. Interest plus.

The acid is inherent too, not immediately, towards the back palate - adding extra energy to the wine. Good persistence here. Like - a lot. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 6th October, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/

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Lark Hill 'Eliza' Off-Dry Riesling 2013

Lark Hill 'Eliza' Off-Dry Riesling 2013

  12:24    Stu.

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Named after the 3rd generation of the Carpenter family, winemaker Chris' daughter. 

I wouldn't normally start a tasting note quoting numbers relating to acids and residual sugar, but such may be of interest in understanding a wine such as this. Possessing excellent balance, in true off-dry territory at 27g/l residual sugar, whilst sweet the acid inherent in the wine (TA 10.1g/L and a pH of 2.91) works with that sugar.

A wine of intensity: florals, asian influenced fragrance: hints of lemongrass, kaffir lime and even a slight note of fresh ginger inherent.

The additional sugar in the wine lends extra weight and 'flesh' to the palate. Mineral nuances intermingle with the sweetness of the palate against the aforementioned acids. It doesn't stop there, the finish is pretty intense too - a prominent feature of the wine from start to finish. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 2nd October, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwine.com.au

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Turkey Flat Mourvédre 2010

Turkey Flat Mourvédre 2010

  21:46    Stu.

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Behold! Good gear here - Mataro Mourvédre in a somewhat lighter guise, without sacrificing any of the signature elements of the variety.

Opens with a sandy, earthen character; hints of rain on dry earth, a nutty touch, a little dried grass before dark plum and cherry start to gradually reveal themselves. Furtively lurking behind them, a little spice to top it off - lovely layered aromatics from the off.

Then, to the palate presence: medium-full bodied, yet possessing quite a lightness of touch for what is ostensibly a big lad. Richly spiced, the wine has Mataro's depth and length but in a somewhat lighter manner. Juiciness is big factor here, gives it that slurp-ability that has you yearning to come back, and fine tannin to add an extra dimension in the mouth. A winner! 93

Tasted on: Monday 30th September, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.turkeyflat.com.au/

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Bakkheia United and Undaunted Mourvédre Shiraz 2010

Bakkheia United and Undaunted Mourvédre Shiraz 2010

  21:27    Stu.

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So named to commemorate 60 years of Navy divers - respect.

Dominant cherry and glossy plumminess; has a sheen, a polish to the fruit on display with little herbal tinges lurking in the background.

Full bodied, an immediate hit of fruit sweetness on entry, segueing to spice: Szechuan meets pepper with hints of anise. Lends a 'coolness' to the palate, all up good structure and balance.

Licorice on the finish, a finish of good length - nothing more. A good wine, if a little simple in construct - drinks easily, drinks well. Another I'd be happy to recommend given drinkability factor and price. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 24th September, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bakkheia.com.au/

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