Heggies Vineyard >500m Chardonnay 2016

Heggies Vineyard >500m Chardonnay 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Made by Teresa Heuzenroeder, the winemaker of one of my favourite Yalumba Whites, the FDW Chardonnay. Captures the imagination with its mix of stonefruit and quince framed up with some nougaty oak. Fair tickles the nostrils

Stonefruit freshness with something approaching a limey tang across the mid-back palate really enlivens the senses. A guidewire of acidity snaps things back into focus. Finishes on this lemon barley citrus vibe. Fresh and about you style of cool clime Chardy. 90 

Tasted on: Friday 9th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.heggiesvineyard.com

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d'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

d'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

  14:30    Stu.

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The icon on song.

The richness: the cedar and bay hints; the fruit: all blackcurrant and a little mulberry; it’s varietal and also offers up chocolatey elements bound up with that fruit.

Immediately noticeable is the tannin, the grain is fine and also substantial, it coats the mouth and maintains a presence. Dark fruit almost seems like an after thought, once that tannin has actually receded: it’s a core of dark fruit, added to which is a little hint of aniseed. 

Towards the back palate is a burst of acid, a brightness amongst the darkness of fruit and the depth and presence of tannin. This is an excellent release. 95 

Tasted on: Sunday 14th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: darenberg.com.au

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Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2016

Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Classic Clare citrus derived nose: plenty of lime, just a bit of oxidisation on it (the lime, not the wine). 

What marks this out, for me, is more than just that classical citrus. Textural hints and twists: powder-fine chalk and flinty notes give this a mineral-charged body. Acid is as you would expect in the variety.

Length is generous, with a clip of apple-like acidity bringing up the rear. This is good stuff. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 22nd August, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.mitchellwines.com/

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Ekhidna McLaren Vale Rosé 2016

Ekhidna McLaren Vale Rosé 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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Ekhidna (the She-Viper in Mythology) is a McLaren Vale based brand, the work of winemaker Matt Rechner. Pretty solid in the off-trade and with a growing presence in the on within casual and bistro dining. This was my first experience of their wines.

Shiraz based saignee method Rosé, pours a light red - a contrast to the vogue for pale pink. Light Berry aromas, a little macerated strawberry in there. 

Berries and a little spice. Suggestion of sugar plum. A light creaminess gives a little textural nuance. Pretty straight down the line, no-nonsense style. Primarily about the fruit with a pleasant feel. 88  

Tasted on: Sunday 27th August, a Flower day
Source: Retail
Price: $20
Alcohol: TBA
Closure: Screwcap
Website: ekhidnawines.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2015

d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2015

  09:48    Stu.

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Always excellent value in the d'Arenberg 'Originals' range for my mind. Generally good for a stretch in the cellar too. Good going and 2015 seemingly no exception.

Unequivocally McLaren Vale Shiraz. Has a bit of the earth, leather and briar about it. Sweeter accents, a core of black fruit.

Carries it's calling card of McLaren Vale chocolate, again sweeter fruit driven elements add to the wine and deliver a finish of satisfying length.

Tasted on: Saturday 2nd September, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: darenberg.com.au

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Tapanappa Eden Valley Riesling 2016

Tapanappa Eden Valley Riesling 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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The 2015 of this wine fair blew me away, and so it was with a mix of good fortune and some excellent navigation from myself that I managed to find myself back at Tapanappa's Cellar Door in early 2017.

For Eden Valley Riesling it speaks more of florals with just a suggestion of golden delicious apple and beurre bosc pear. 

The palate strikes a lovely balance of crisp front palate acid with a delicious width and textural phenolic dryness. The sensation of a little grip lends a delightful length to the wine, unforced and yet seemingly unyielding. 

It has a small of amount of stem inclusion, but not as whole bunches. This is yet again an excellent wine. Available ex-cellar door and website only.93 

Tasted on: Saturday 26th August, a Root to Flower day
Source: Cellar Door Purchase
Price: $29
Alcohol: 12.5% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au

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Hither & Yon Rosé 2017

Hither & Yon Rosé 2017

  08:00    Stu.

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1st September is release day for this offering. Pouring a very pale pink, just kissed with a hint of colour.

Musky hints give lie to what's within. You could have me fooled into thinking this has a touch of Gewurz, the muskiness bordering on that grape. Except here Muscat (56%) has been used to good effect with unusual stable mate Carignan (44%)

An initial hit of sweetness, lures and leads, minerally and dry. This will be sure to arrest a thirst on a warm summer's day. 

Berries, a bit of Turkish Delight, spice to tickle and a chalky touch that offers something more than your average fruit-bomb. Another great follow-up by the H&Y crew. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 20th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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