Voyager Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Voyager Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  10:00    Stu.

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Something about Voyager Estate's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc that evokes images of fish and chips at a coastal locale. Nay a bad thing for a wine to engender mind.

Familiar Sauvignon Blanc here, in its herbal, grassy form; citrus butter, and faint tropical notes round out the aromatic profile.

The palate sees a prominent pitch of acid, melon and grapefruit add flesh and citrus freshness. I actually paired this with something a little spicy, it stood up well. Good stuff. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 28th May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.voyagerestate.com.au/

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Ferngrove The King Malbec 2012

Ferngrove The King Malbec 2012

  09:23    Stu.

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Ferngrove produces what is widely regarded as one of Australia's leading examples of Malbec, from its special patch of dirt down in Western Australia's Great Southern wine region. 

Dusky, dusty, violets and black fruit. A little earthen, suggestive of a little mushroom - almost. Sweet black fruit greets the palate taking the first sip, fruit sweetness that segues to the fine tannins of the variety. 

Soft and inviting, easy drinking in many respects - yet not as accomplished as the 2011 vintage prior. To the unassuming drinker, that may not matter one jot. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 27th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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K1 by Geoff Hardy Middle Hill Shiraz 2013

K1 by Geoff Hardy Middle Hill Shiraz 2013

  16:30    Stu.

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Made its debut in 2012 (review here), a wonderfully elegant expression of Syrah from the K1 stable, a bridge between the Pinot Noir and the Shiraz also produced out of the region.

Delightful berry driven aromatics: blackcurrant, plum - with savoury twists lurking in the back - a little briar and citrus for freshness.

A soft and elegant expression, pepper, black fruits; smooth, silken layers, flavours that cascade across the palate. Fine drying tannin - a savoury kick bringing up the rear. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 24th May, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.k1.com.au/

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Waywood Wines Montepulciano 2013

Waywood Wines Montepulciano 2013

  10:00    Stu.

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Slowly gaining in popularity is Montepulciano, and finding a home - amongst a raft of other varieties of Italian origin (invariably ending in the letter o) - in McLaren Vale. 

Andrew Wood of Waywood Wines was one of the early adopters of the variety in Australia, he seems to have a good hand on the variety.

Opens with a savoury bent on offer, with purple florals, herb, woody tinges and redcurrant lift.

Crushed violets on entry - but really it's about the savoury, with a succulent palate offering effortless flow toward a chewy tannin structure. Spice, drying, chalky tannin - equally adept with food as it is flying solo. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 21st May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.waywoodwines.com/

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Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2013

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2013

  20:19    Stu.

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This is the third consecutive release of Yelland and Papps' Vin de Soif' (literally: 'thirst for wine') - previous vintages reviewed here. The blend may be tweaked somewhat in each vintage - in this guise its a mix of Grenache, Mataro and Carignan - but for this scribe, the intent doesn't.

Florals, musky - approaching the funk of fermented charcuterie - a little spice and dark fruit. Licorice twists, crunch of texture, meat and spice. For me, this is the kind of wine where the less said is often the better. 

Yes, I could reel of shopping lists of descriptors, but the thing that always draws me back to this wine is its inherent drinkable - its 'soifness' if you like. Such easy drinking pleasure, so more-ish, does what it says in the tin. 90

Tasted on: 21st May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Redbank Ellora Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling 2012

Redbank Ellora Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling 2012

  10:00    Stu.

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Delicate, bready notes - bread and butter pudding even - red fruits and a twist of citrus.

Clean, a little leesy complexity, brisk and bristling acidity that cleanses. Possesses a length that surprises - at the expense of depth. Happy to go here as a Sunday aperitif. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 10th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $23.95
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.redbankwines.com/KingValley.html

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Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  20:00    Stu.

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Herb more prominent on this 2014 (compared to its 2013 sibling reviewed earlier). Grassier, more chinese gooseberry, a light tropical edge, light brush strokes of honeyed florals.

More life, texture and energy here - still with that slightly green edge. Drying phenolics on the finish - aids length. 87

Tasted on: Saturday 9th May, a Fruit day 

Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: Yalumba Christobel's

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