Yangarra PF Shiraz 2013

Yangarra PF Shiraz 2013

  08:00    Stu.

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This is a wine that will appeal to many, either on the basis of a natural-ish approach to production, the cost-conscious for it delivers very well at its price, or those who just appreciate a bloody good wine for what it offers.

Black fruits primarily (damson/mulberry if you wish me to be specific), that sit in front of a meaty core - think a little fresh salami - giving the wine a delightful sweet/ savoury combination from the off.

Medium bodied, on the palate it offers up much to please. A modicum of spice, a little skin tannin and plenty of juicy 'yes' factor. The thing about it really is balance, everything works in conjunction with each other, nothing dominating - and possesses winemaker Peter Fraser's calling card: it's just damn moreish.

Tasted on: Saturday 25th, a Flower Day
Source: Retail, Cru Cellars
Price: $22.50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap 
Website: http://www.yangarra.com/

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Battle of Bosworth Puritan Shiraz 2013

Battle of Bosworth Puritan Shiraz 2013

  07:43    Stu.

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Purely by chance I opened, tasted - then proceeded to fairly rapidly consume - two McLaren Vale Shiraz. Both, it could be argued, fall into a 'less is more' camp, pretty minimal handling and sheer enjoyment out of the glass.

This example from Battle of Bosworth duo Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith, is bright and vibrant in the glass. Exhibiting 'pastille' like aromas - read "youthful, vibrant and delicious" - with black fruit forming the central core. 

A suggestion of spritz - a little retained CO2 - provides additional mouthfeel, liveliness and vitality to the wine. Yet it finishes with a depth and intensity that seems somewhat at odds stylistically, a boon, testament to a good vintage and fruit. 90 

Tasted on: Thursday 23rd January, a Root to Flower Day
Source: Retail, Spiros Paddington
Price: $16
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.battleofbosworth.com.au/

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The Road to Mornington

The Road to Mornington

  06:53    Stu.

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Over the period 10-13th January  I'm hitting the road for a journey to Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. No junket - let's get that out of the way before any judgement around probity is passed - it's a great opportunity for me to explore a fascinating region. 

Fascinating for it produces some excellent wines from two grape varieties - Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - that themselves possess the ability to reflect terroir, in the case of Pinot Noir; or, as the case is with Chardonnay, act as a piece of putty in the hand of a winemaker, able to be sculpted and moulded only limited by the artist's skills and vision. 

The Peninsula is meant to be beautiful country, playground of Melbourne's rich, and surely to make wine here you have to have fairly deep pockets - for land prices would be impacted by proximity to Melbourne, along with the region's own increasing capital as a source of premium grape growing land.

I am very much looking forward to explo the region, meet the growers and producers and share in this experience with a few like minded souls.

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Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier 2010

Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier 2010

  14:45    Stu.

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Initially little sign of the Viognier here - indeed it "should be seen and not heard" as someone once told me. Meaty, a little ferrous, florals start to come through with a little time.

Medium bodied, has a juicy, cola-ish feel mixed with delicious berry fruit. Offers up spice with an easy-going, slippery textural feel to it.

Concludes with a savoury edge after the juicy fruits that come before it. 89  

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Rocland Estate Lot 147 Shiraz 2008

Rocland Estate Lot 147 Shiraz 2008

  12:13    Stu.

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Has the slightly porty, leathery, raisined notes of dried out fruit. There's a fair whack of oak lain over the top. Given a little time, it settles itself - takes on a more subtle bent.

Thick, creamy oak, a slightly burnt edge; feels a little hollow in the middle, fleshes out a little with some aniseed, pepper. Again it's rawness on opening settles with time - seems a touch more balanced and altogether more pleasurable.

Finishes well - generous length - consistently comes together with a little time. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Criminal Minds 'Miss Devine' Brut NV

Criminal Minds 'Miss Devine' Brut NV

  12:05    Stu.

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Here we have a happy, bargain, entry-level sparkler that delivers above its pricepoint. Toasty on entry, backed up with some grilled stonefruits, citrus and red berries.

Toasty, bready entry; a little mid-palate sweetness is perfectly positioned against a touch of mineral and cream in the body. Acid provides a little freshness. Lacks the depth you'd get from a wine that spends additional time on lees, but that comes at a cost. For $15 this drinks perfectly well.

The finish sees a little red berry fruit sweetness pulled through. Length is moderate. A certain crowd pleaser. 87

Tasted on: Monday 25th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.byrnevineyards.com.au/

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Ferngrove Symbols Sauvignon Semillon 2013

Ferngrove Symbols Sauvignon Semillon 2013

  18:24    Stu.

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Opens a touch sweaty with the presence of aromatic compounds known as 'mercaptans' present (specifically ethanethiol if you wish to get sexy on terminology). Hints of nettle here too - not altogether uncommon in cooler region sauvignon blanc.

The palate shows a light bodied, some freshness present here too: fruit backing up with a little chalky phenolics.

Length offers a little redemption from the aromatic introduction that wasn't quite my cup of tea. 85

Tasted on: Thursday 14th November 2013, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $16.50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ferngrove.com.au

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