Meerea Park Hell Hole Semillon 2013

Meerea Park Hell Hole Semillon 2013

  07:03    Stu.

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Hints of green on appearance. Aromatically of hay, citrus and with suggestions of tropicals wafting out of the glass.

Acid is prominent, provides an experience in the mouth that's alive, dancing around the tongue. Gives great length too and longevity. Will age well. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.meereapark.com.au/

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James Estate 2013 Reserve Semillon

James Estate 2013 Reserve Semillon

  12:57    Stu.

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2011 bottle image

An excellent opener in a bracket of 5 Hunter Valley Semillon.

Lemon, sherbet, a briny/ oyster shell/ saline hanging in the breeze aroma. Fresh, one that invites, tickles the nasal cavity.

The palate shows a wine in glorious youth: racy, zesty and with an excellent acid line coursing through, with a fuller citrus supporting.

Good burst of flavour on the back palate, length and a little texture showing what may come. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd August, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $23 (cheaper via winery website)
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://jamesestatewines.com.au/

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Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2012

Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2012

  09:04    Stu.

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From the Grant Burge 'Vineyard' range, with fruit drawn from the vineyard of the same name.

Vivid, meaty, savoury - of wood, earth and black fruit. Smooth, slippery feel in the mouth, nice strands of tannin. Liquorice, woody spice, with a latent bitterness. 

Lacks a bit of fruit stuffing towards the back and the acid feels a bit hard. Downsides to what was otherwise a rather pleasant experience. Price is up there. 89

Tasted on: Monday 28th July
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/

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Well Mannered Wine Co Hilltops Shiraz 2013

Well Mannered Wine Co Hilltops Shiraz 2013

  18:59    Stu.

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"I love you, yes i do

'cos i know that you love me too

I love you, yes i do

gonna spend all my money on you"

~ Bad Manners, Special Brew

Dense, heady - plum, cherry and blueberry. Black fruit, white pepper. Lovely contrast there. Full, florals (violets), black fruit, some wafery oak. Good intensity.

Finishes excellently, there's definition and intensity to it: gorgeous length and a tail of flavour providing memory. Excellent introduction - for I - into the wines of this new (ish) producer. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 26th July, a Flower transitioning to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://wellmanneredwine.com.au/

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Cook's Lot Shiraz 2013

Cook's Lot Shiraz 2013

  13:04    Stu.

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I've had the opportunity to taste across a range of wines from Duncan and Amber Cooks 'Cook's Lot' wines now and from a range of - different - vintages. I've always found the wines approachable, honest and of their place.

This Shiraz, from the warm and dry 2013 vintage, shows black fruit, sandy earth, a touch of cool mineral graphite composition and some residual malty oak tones.

Medium to full, it carries the earthen line into the palate, supplemented with black pepper and clove spice. Latent fruit adds to the experience, a little oak too - overall balanced and of interest.

Moderate length, it holds up well over 24-36 hours of drinking. With time I noticed the acid to be a little more prominent, afore chocolate and powdery tannin. Commendable. 90

Tasted on: Friday 25th July, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Hither & Yon Tannat Grenache 2012

Hither & Yon Tannat Grenache 2012

  16:11    Stu.

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This is the second wine from the Leask family's Hither & Yon label I've tasted. After first introductions via the Nero d'Avola, there seems a theme emerging from those limited forays into the portfolio: stylishly packaged, not too hard on the pocket, and - perhaps most importantly - a gorgeous drinkability.

Black earth with floral lift, dried leaf matter, spice, sweeter accents coming through latterly from the Grenache.

Full, yet - in a somewhat contradictory manner - a light, loose and open feel to the wine. Dark spice, savoury, dreadfully moreish. There's a little grainy tannin, latent red fruit pulls through and a little citrus twist adds freshness. Length is OK, spot on for a solid 89/90

Tasted on: Monday 21st July
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 15.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Mitchell Harris Sabre 2010

Mitchell Harris Sabre 2010

  16:58    Stu.

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The 2008 Sabre from Mitchell Harris was a sparkling addition to the portfolio. They skipped a vintage in 2009 and bring to market this fine boned example from 2010.

Delicacy, stone-fruit and a glimpse of red fruits coming through, supplemented with a little almond biscotti. It's Chardonay dominant (75%, Macedon) with the balance being Pyrenees Pinot Noir.

Delicate, fine boned, but a good frame on which to put some weight. There's a little mineral, biscuit through the finish which is on a persistent good length. Lasting presence. Nice and dry aperitif style with a mere 5g/l dosage. 92

Tasted on: Sun 20th July, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://mitchellharris.com.au/

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