Ridgemill Estate 'Black Dog' Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Ridgemill Estate 'Black Dog' Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

  13:12    Stu.

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"This black dog is out of control
My mouth is so dry
My eyes are shut tightThere's a black dog a coming tonight"

~ Manic Street Preachers, Black Dog On My Shoulder

"I wish I could have 2005 again" quips winemaker Peter McGlashan, "the chance to apply  what I've learned since, to what was a stunning vintage". The vintage in question was 2005, a cracker by all accounts, the first vintage where wines were produced under the Ridgemill Estate name.

At ten years old this was still throwing a fair bouquet of primary fruit: black cherry, cassis - a medley if you like - and held up over 24-48 hours. Background hints of black licorice strands add an edge, not dominant, just enough to be present.

Medium bodied, fruit flows to the palate. With time the wine held its structure, powder-fine tannin and acid inherent, fruit subsiding with that time.

Good presence, residual tannin, gentle and persistent length. Would suggest easily another five years in reserve, pushing ten. If only anybody had some left. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 28th February, a Flower day
Source: Shared with the winemaker at dinner
Price: $ n/a
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://ridgemillestate.com/

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Printhie Mountain Range Merlot 2013

Printhie Mountain Range Merlot 2013

  06:57    Stu.

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Forward, touches of fresh tobacco and gamey notes, but really it's more about the heavy hand of oak here and the vanilla and caramel that lends to the wine.

Medium bodied, a warmth that betrays its alcohol. Spice, a little tapenade and dried herb. Acid and tannin at least provide a spine for the wine to build on.

Vanilla, coffee grounds, mulberry all serve to carry through to the finish. Priced well, in an approachable drink-now style, just not what I would look for in a Merlot. 87

Tasted on: Wednesday 4th March, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.printhiewines.com.au/

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Ferngrove Symbols Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Ferngrove Symbols Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  20:20    Stu.

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Faint tropicals, citrus - lemon and lime - smells like dilute cordial. Manages to shun the pungent aromas - but goes too far the other way.

Thin, bitter, Little redemption, save perhaps its resemblance to a weak, cheap, gin and tonic. Not much on the finish either. There's greater pleasure - and value - to be had elsewhere in the Ferngrove range. Not here I'm afraid. 82

Tasted on: Friday 6th March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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Bremerton Special Release Malbec 2013

Bremerton Special Release Malbec 2013

  20:29    Stu.

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Florals, black fruits of the forest, a touch of almond paste and sweet paprika on opening. A lovely perfume - something for which the variety can be renowned.

Nice weight on entry: soft, medium body - that's before the fruit kicks in and the onset of some firmer tannin. Black fruit, anise, a little fenugreek perhaps.

Dusty, length wavers, tannin pulls through - interesting, certainly enjoyable. They're onto something here those Willson sisters. 91

Tasted on: Monday 2nd March, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au/

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Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2010

Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2010

  20:40    Stu.

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Cherry, tobacco and cocoa - mix of aromas on show here. Smokey, rolling tobacco - not sure which brand - show up as secondary aromatics.

Lovely medium bodied wine: fine tannin, modicum of acid, more tobacco and leafy notes. Ultra-fine body - feels classy, good quality wine.

Evenness through the finish, even flow - thoughts arrive like butterflies - unforced. Take notice of this classy individual, a very good wine. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 26th February, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.leeuwinestate.com.au/

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Down to Earth Cabernets Shiraz 2013

Down to Earth Cabernets Shiraz 2013

  06:10    Stu.

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A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz (55/17/28% respectively). The Cabernets spent time in a in a 3-4 year old 4000L foudré - a very large barrel.

Cedar, dried herb with lovely fruit mix adding to the package: plum skins, mulberry and perhaps a little black cherry.

Squarely medium of body, carries that interplay of fruit and savoury characteristics - the latter: cedary, dried herb and touch of bright acidity for additional freshness. Sensitive oak handling allows the fruit to shine and the firm tannin to make its presence felt.

You'll happily sup away on this in a year or two's time. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 26th February, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: terreaterre.com.au

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Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

  12:01    Stu.

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Foggy Hill is a site that I yearn to visit. I've only taken the Southward drive down the Fleurieu coast the once, but I simply love that coastal drive, the child-like rolling hills that simply form, one into the other. I'll get there one day. Until then, I'm highly appreciative of the opportunity to see what the site can produce.

Harvested two weeks earlier than 'normal' - although I am unsure what normal is anymore - stated to be 0.3% degrees lower in alcohol and $2 cheaper than the 2012 edition.

Sap and stem are still familiar components on the nose. Less forward, less of the prune and liqueur, instead I see it as the sweetness of new growth, a little muscovado sweetness that makes way for a little dried herb as the wine opens up.

Spice, sweet oak; nicely weighted - touch of textural nuance here. Silken, rounded out feel on the palate -  red berry fruit carrying long strands of elegant tannin. A different wine to the '12 for sure, no monoculture here. 92+

Tasted on: Monday 23rd February, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $49
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: tapanappa.com.au

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