Yalumba Virgilius 2010

Yalumba Virgilius 2010

  08:11    Stu.

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The finest presentation of Viognier in Australia. A barrel selection, the wine possesses power and concentration, yet also shows a deft aromatic touch. Apricot, ground ginger, background citrus following up as part of its aromatic profile. 

Power packed palate; barrel ferment spice and the fibrous feel of fresh ginger give detail and layers, enhanced by skilled lees work - all up making this wine a stunning proposition. 

Exquisite length. Oh so drinkable now, history - and the wine - shows that the Virgilius is a worthy candidate for time in the cellar. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 19th October, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $49.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com

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Yalumba Organic Viognier 2012

Yalumba Organic Viognier 2012

  14:14    Stu.

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Spring is such a magical season, blossom appearing, a visible sign of the awakening life within the trees. Here we have a wine from Australia's leading producer of the variety, a wine that shows honeysuckle with a little citrus and apricot blossom. 

It's not all sweetness and light, the wine carries a little savoury undercurrent, even some root vegetable notes providing a firmer edge.

Savoury palate, a little fennel and celeriac, providing a minerally/ white peppery base. Nice segue to a little fibrous/ gingery edge. 89 - Good

Tasted on: Monday 29th July, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yalumba.com/

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Rocland Estate Chocolate Box Shiraz 2012

Rocland Estate Chocolate Box Shiraz 2012

  12:43    Stu.

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Second of the Rocland 'Chocolate Box' wines tasted, you can find the GSM note here. The wines are packaged with a look reminiscent of advertising from the late 50s and early 60s. Suggestive of chocolate packaging and featuring the words chocolate prominently. They are wines and not the chocolate/ wine hybrid products that can be found on the market.

Does open with chocolate-plum-black cherry character. The fruit for these wines is predominantly from the Northern Barossa where such rich and chocolatey characters are common. Further, there was hints of fennel picked up.

The palate shows a wine that fleshy, spice laden - a common thread to the GSM - with black pepper, all spice, a touch of clove and star anise. A touch lighter in stated alcohol than its sibling, its also pretty well balanced with fruit, spice and a touch of acid. Carries its volume well. 87

Tasted on: Monday 14th October, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com

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Rocland Estate Chocolate Box GSM 2012

Rocland Estate Chocolate Box GSM 2012

  09:04    Stu.

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Possesses the lovely, plush, comforting nose of the lead player Grenache. Damp earth, cherry with hints of choc-raspberry. Background savoury components add extra weight, a touch of herb and spice completes the picture.

Thick, chewy and spicy, Soft and rounded - plush. Oak clearly present, not overbearing. The wine holds its form well; tannin is fine and grainy, spice a common thread throughout. Drinks well: good length, spice driven. 89

Tasted on: Monday 14th October, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com

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La Curio Reserve Bush Vine Grenache 2010

La Curio Reserve Bush Vine Grenache 2010

  09:22    Stu.

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2009 Bottle Image

Initially clearly red fruited, with a slightly meaty edge; evolution, fairly rapidly, with a little rhubarb and the meatiness taking on a more beefy tone. Still accented with with red fruit, sweet perfume and fennel edge.

The palate is light-on initially, the onset of warmth and spice is fairly rapid. Baking and brown spice, a little residual red fruit and finishing towards a licorice twist.

Personally I was less keen on this varietal Grenache compared to Adam Hooper's Reserve Shiraz. A well made wine, the parts just never quite seemed to mesh or convince me - and comparatively not in the same league as the Shiraz. 88

Tasted on: Thursday 10th October, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.lacuriowines.com/

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Two Hands Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007

Two Hands Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007

  15:05    Stu.

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The Two Hands Garden Series, a series of regional wines each named after the child of one of the Two Hands - here Michael Twelftree's daughter Lily is honoured in the form of McLaren Vale Shiraz. For me, this represents a dip into the cellar, for something that I knew would appeal to the Mrs.

The veil of oak still hangs heavy here, yet soon the sweeter perfume slowly reveals itself: red and black fruits primarily (raspberry, black and red currants if you wish me to be specific). Smells a little spirited - a calling card from the hot year and high octane fruit with the wine weighing in at a stated 15.7%.

Spice laden on entry, it's a wine that's full bodied, unctuous, a 'big' wine if you'll permit reference to that descriptor no longer as common as it once was. Oak and spice swamp the fruit somewhat, a little chocolate and red fruit round out the palate.

Tannin is drying, long and grainy. There's a lick of anise on the finish, which is long and indicative of quality. Perhaps a little too overt in style for where my tastes presently lie. Still, there's another 5 where this came from. Hard to judge, but will have appeal for many for sure. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th October, a Leaf Day 
Source: Cellar
Price: $60
Alcohol: 15.7%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.twohandswines.com/

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Tahbilk Shiraz 2010

Tahbilk Shiraz 2010

  12:27    Stu.

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Yes! All soft black fruits, hints of oak, a touch of eucalypt, but approachable - so approachable. Damson, hints of blackcurrant and all up inviting brambly fruit.

Medium bodied, juicy, soft and fleshy - a little comfort factor, like sinking into a favourite cushion, the counter-point is a touch of acid and lip warming spice.

Fruit-tinged finish. A good, not great wine. Happy days and happy drinking. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 6th October, a Flower Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $24.80
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.tahbilk.com.au/

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