Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Rosé 2016

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Rosé 2016

  17:22    Stu.

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One that Donald Trump would love to grab - being named after a cat of course. Smells sweet, of boiled lolly, red berry in base foundation.

Sweet - cordial like in its representation: strawberry, touches of cherry. 

Made for a particular market one suspects, eschewing the pale and dry vogue. Too sweet for me, but it sure hits the mark 87 

Tasted on: Sunday 9th October, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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Rob Hall Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2015

Rob Hall Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2015

  08:32    Stu.

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A blend of three vineyards from across the Yarra Valley: Willowlake (the cooler, southern end of the valley), Daniel’s Hill (the warmer northern end) and a family vineyard just south of Healesville. 

Creamy, curds, wheat, grilled stonefruit - all redolent of some barrel ferment character. 

Onset of spice, lemony; has a tang, like a citrus pickle. Whips through the finish, long and generous. Secondary resurgence of spice. Another excellent wine Mr Hall. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 12th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.robhallwine.com.au/

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Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2016

Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2016

  13:20    Stu.

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It's quite amazing that a village with a population of less than 250 gives its name to a sub-region that is simply synonymous with Riesling.

Summer in a glass, of sunshine and freshness. This wine simply packs into its $20 form, a punch of lemon sherbert, orange peel and musky aromatics that simply delight.

Sitting on my back deck on a glorious Spring day in Brisbane, this afforded a vision of my Summer ahead. I could feel the sand between my toes, a little salinity hanging in the air, prawns smashed by the dozen.

You could almost forget about how it smells tastes and simply understand that to chill bottles of this, share with loved ones would leave you in a happy place.

Except I feel the need to convey the intense lemon sherbet flavour that cuts and thrusts, drives and refreshes; there's nashi pear (or papples AKA Pear Apples as they are referred round these parts) with an energetic cary towards the finish. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd October
Source: Retail
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://jimbarry.com/

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Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé 2016

Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé 2016

  12:00    Stu.

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We've reached a peak brose moment Ladies and Gentleman. Bills itself as "dry and crisp", certainly looks the part, a fetching dusky pink in the glass. 

Berry aromatics exhibited here: strawberry, raspberry, tangy cranberry - a little musky, savoury edge. 

Doesn't quite carry that initial promise off with any form of conviction - yes it's dry, but that also comes with a bitterness, a hard edge. A little crisp acidity toward the back end, with little else to support it. Shame, offered promise. 86

Tasted on: Friday 12th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.jacobscreek.com/

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Longhop Pinot Gris 2015

Longhop Pinot Gris 2015

  02:00    Stu.

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Honeydew melon, fresh pear, floral hints. 

More of the same across the palate, crisp acids a little phenolic grip. Not full textured, more like a Gris/gio. OK - but the first of this label's wines that haven't quite gelled for me. 88 

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th August, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.oldplains.com/Wines.htm

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Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2014

Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2014

  13:21    Stu.

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With about 70% whole bunch, their inclusion is quite noticeable, I asked (Shaw + Smith's Trade Sales and Education lead) Dan Coward whether this was an Adam (Wadewitz, Senior Winemaker) 'thing', for it's certainly an element of his metier.

Savoury, gamey, kalamata olive. Almost a suggestion of leather, Earth. 

Medium bodied, with a depth and intensity that sees it almost cranked up to 11. It's savoury, intense, with a fair grind of the pepper mill towards the back end. 

Length, and some at that. It gives, keeps on giving and is seemingly perpetual in nature. Celebrate the site. 94 

Tasted on: Monday 8th August, a Flower day
Source: Tasting
Price: $85
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawandsmith.com/

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Lowe Wines Nullo Mountain Riesling 2013

Lowe Wines Nullo Mountain Riesling 2013

  08:30    Stu.

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Wine-making in the margins.

Good aromatics, strong, all about the citrus: lime, grapefruit and even a little preserved lemon/rind. Fresh, intensive - quite steely, hard - reflecting the 1000+ meters at which it's grown. 

More of the same on the palate, with added acid. Like sucking on an ultra-sharp lemon sherbet. It fair pulls your cheeks in as it races across the palate, symbolic of that intense acid. Yet it's all balanced, coming with a good line of fruit that then gently casts itself off into the distance. Good stuff. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 11th August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.lowewine.com.au/

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