Out of Step Wine Co. Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Out of Step Wine Co. Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  15:42    Stu.

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Dave Chatfield and Nathan Reeves, two mates who work their day jobs for some pretty high profile Yarra wineries (Oakridge and Sticks respectively) have a little side project going under the Out of Step Wine Co label.

This 2013 SB - their second release I believe - is on the money. Fresh herb, asparagus, the faintest hint of tropical fruit peaking its nose around the corner. It has a subtlety to it - a good thing - and an allure, a prettiness that yields a little more as you go back to it.

Sees a touch of lime and fresh herb flowing onto the palate. Good balance, deftly treading a line without putting a foot out of place. Tasty to boot - of the three SBs I opened and tasted, this was the one I went back to - with a touch of texture for interest. Smart. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 8th September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com

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Ferngrove Frankland River Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Ferngrove Frankland River Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  12:44    Stu.

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Tasted in a small bracket of Sauvignon Blanc one Saturday afternoon. Shows hints of tropicals (passionfruit/ guava) on initial introduction - smells fleshy, quite pleasing.

On the palate it follows suit: textural, fuller - the flesh of mango accompanied with the zip of citrus acidity. Moderate in length, rather its defined by the palate and shape. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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Mawson's Cape Denison Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Mawson's Cape Denison Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  07:29    Stu.

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Attractively packaged new release from the Hill Smith Family Vineyards. Hints of nettle, herb  - touch bitter and astringent. 

Redeemed a little with some chalky texture. Little by way of excitement to get the heart racing. It's not a 'bad' wine, I see it as in balance - just lacking in 'wow'. 84

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15.95
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://hsfv.com/

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Montalto Hawkins Hill Chardonnay 2012

Montalto Hawkins Hill Chardonnay 2012

  10:16    Stu.

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The Montalto Single Vineyard wines are the sort that would apply to Chardonnay lovers, for their quality, along with wine nerds - like myself - for the detail provided on the reverse label.

The Montalto 'Hawkins Hill' Chardonnay comes off a vineyard sitting at around 120 metres, a single clone - the regionally prominent P58, one of the earliest clones to be promoted around Australia - sitting on red clay loam; a fertile mix of sand, clay and silt. Compared to 'The Eleven', the vineyard has a marginally different aspect, a little more elevation (only 20 metres, but that can mean a difference by up to a week in picking time).

Smells like it comes from a warmer place - alcohol levels are up to match too, with 13.3% stated - stonefruit, a little leesy funkiness and spicy toastiness. 

The palate is a touch fuller/ weightier than 'The Eleven', has a bit more width about it. To mee, seemed a touch nuttier, a raw element - hints of green tropicals here. Good length, more derived from flavour than the acid of 'The Eleven'. For what it's worth, same score 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd January, a Leaf Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2012

Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2012

  09:59    Stu.

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The Montalto Single Vineyard wines are the sort that would apply to Chardonnay lovers, for their quality, along with wine nerds - like myself - for the detail provided on the reverse label.

The Montalto 'The Eleven' Chardonnay comes off a vineyard sitting at around 100 metres, a single clone - the regionally prominent P58, one of the earliest clones to be promoted around Australia - sitting on red clay loam; a fertile mix of sand, clay and silt. 

Has a cool-ish feel to the wine, with hints of lime and a creamy honeyed spice to the mix. Clean and fresh with a mealy, creamy core.

Tight, minerally with good acid - packing zesty, punch citrus freshness. For all that though, it has a grace about it, a line and length wine that barely puts a foot out of place. 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd January, a Leaf Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2012

Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2012

  09:33    Stu.

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Montalto's Estate Chardonnay (the Estate compromises some 50 Acres of vineyard) possesses a mix of fresh aromas from the go. Melon, stonefruit and citrus are all offered up to entice the drinker.

Bickfords lime flows onto the palate, hints of toastiness and stony mineral and lime brulee mesh well with the fruit flavour to create a very attractive drinking proposition. Good acid, all up a wonderfully balanced drinking proposition. 91

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th December, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Eden Road The Long Road Chardonnay 2012

Eden Road The Long Road Chardonnay 2012

  13:04    Stu.

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Exquisite Chardonnay here from the Eden Road team of Nick Spencer and Hamish Young.

Aromatic complexity on first approach: flinty, grilled stonefruit - all overlaid with with a mix of florals and creamy hints. Entry shows a wine with a stoney, mineral edge; the wine has a focus that builds - racy and lively - it creates interest and length.

Finishes long and clean, gradually slowing to a memorable conclusion. Excellent example of modern Chardonnay, reaffirms Tumbarumba's suitability to the variety. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th December, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://edenroadwines.com.au

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