Murray Street Vineyards Gomersal Shiraz 2012

Murray Street Vineyards Gomersal Shiraz 2012

  09:42    Stu.

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There's been a change at the tiller at Murray Street Vineyards, with Craig Viney taking over the role of Chief Winemaker from Andrew Seppelt.

MSV Chief Winemaker - Craig Viney

An anticipated release from a regarded vintage. The Gomersal is produced from fruit off a single vineyard over on the Barossa's western ridge, in a sub-region referred to as 'Gomersal'.

The wine spends 18 months in used American puncheons, yet there is the familiar aroma of vanilla creme and residual coconut. Dark intense berry fruit backs this up, slowly revealing itself - as if throwing a cloak - to reveal blackcurrant and ironstone.

The palate is in a similar vein, intensity of flavour with tannin that is fine, well integrated, resembling graphite minerality. Balance is key here with fruit, tannin and a little acid making up a midfield trio - the engine of the wine.

Excellent, sustained length - present long after the wine has slid down the gullet. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 11th April, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.murraystreet.com.au/

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Cooks Lot 'Lot 8' Handpicked Shiraz 2013

Cooks Lot 'Lot 8' Handpicked Shiraz 2013

  15:18    Stu.

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Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented, plunged four times a day - inputs that add some risk, take time and are choices the winemaker can make to look to make a wine in a desired manner.

Reductive on opening, combined with savoury, sappy notes from some whole bunch input. Black and brambly fruits combine to give a presence of fruit against savoury character. Tannin is fine, powdery, well integrated and providing carriage. Oak adds additional structure.

Shows good length, carried by tannin and a little spike of acid. If anything, it grew in stature over the time open. A wine I found myself returning too more than once in that time. Good work. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 9th April
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Hither & Yon Young Shiraz 2014

Hither & Yon Young Shiraz 2014

  09:48    Stu.

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Inviting, youthful aromas here, smells a little like a Grenache with its raspberry, grenadine and vanilla. There's a little wet potter's clay over spearmint. The latter carrying through to the palate.

The wine has a lightness, fleet-footed, tannin's feel a little waxy, coating the mouth.

Good presence, the carry of fruit flavour. Drinks well, easily. Another wine from this portfolio that will likely be lapped up hither and yon. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 8th April, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Richard Meyman Waseca Riesling 2013

Richard Meyman Waseca Riesling 2013

  08:35    Stu.

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Fresh, fragrant - hints of cut marmalade, perhaps suggestive of a little botrytis perhaps?

Dry and textural, but with food gives the suggestion of a little retained sugar in the wine. Regardless, it's nicely poised with pitched acid against that texture.

Finishes long and dry, a suggestion of preserved lemons on the back straight. Nicely executed wine. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 8th April, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Retail, Veno
Price: $25.50
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.richardmeymanwines.com.au/

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d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original 2012

d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original 2012

  07:26    Stu.

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It's a great privilege to receive wines for review, possibly even more so when the wine in question is one that you cut your teeth on. Ubiquitous in the UK in the first decade of the 21st century, the d'Arenberg brand even more so, such that I considered the red stripe synonymous with the region. I digress.

Grenache leads, although it's an equal partner in this 50/50 blend of Shiraz and Grenache. Licorice, woody spice and a mix of berry fruit from across the spectrum.

Struggles a bit on the palate for me, a searing acidity that puts the wine off balance. Pulls up short on the palate too. Somewhat unconvincing in the final two thirds. 86

Tasted on: Monday 6th April, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Amato Vino Nero d'Avola 2014

Amato Vino Nero d'Avola 2014

  14:19    Stu.

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Throws the wood spice of the 20% whole bunch over cherry and - what seems to me - a little almond.

Light, juicy with some flashy acidity that enlivens. Vibrant- that's the word I am looking for - with licorice adding an extra dimension. That said it is really that freshness that reels you in.

Not terribly long on length - no real drama when it's existence in bottle and glass is equally temporal. 89

Tasted on: Monday 6th April, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Wine Cloud
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.winecloud.com.au/

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Twisted Gum Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Twisted Gum Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

  06:50    Stu.

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Twisted Gum Cabernet -
2009 bottle image

A fine Granite Belt Cabernet from a highly regarded vintage for red varieties. This example has the capacity to age, tightly wound with fruit in abundance to hold it in good stead for the long haul.

Black fruits and cedar, these two taking the opportunity to swap who takes the lead role over time, the fruit becoming more prominent. Over time: leaf, cedar and sweet grass.

Black fruit, licorice and spice: clove and cool pepper. Tannin is fine, well embedded; it's tight, wound, not dense - after a day there's spice, powder-fine tannin, ash and black olive.

On the finish, black fruit provides a leg-up, acidity providing extra drive with savoury twists complementing the fine tannin on the finish. One for the cellar for sure. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 8th March, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.twistedgum.com.au/

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