Zonte's Footstep 'Lady Marmalade' Vermentino 2017

Zonte's Footstep 'Lady Marmalade' Vermentino 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Green apple, freshly podded peas, snow pea tendril, briny-seaspray-on the wind scents. Wonderfully aromatic, capturing the essence of the variety.  

Lavish in its initial offering, full - glycerol almost. Grapefruit, curd, a suggestion of passionfruit - somewhat unusually. 

It's fresh, expressly so, and that is its primary offer. It delivers freshness in spades, even if it lacks the complexity of better examples. Very enjoyable. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 11th January, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

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Rymill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Rymill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

  12:36    Stu.

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Cellar release from Coonawarra stalwart Rymill. My change at this winery over the last year or so, much change. Still, it's what inside that counts, eh?

Colour is showing a little development at 5yo. Aroma-wise, it's still pretty fresh, throwing the shackles off and avoiding the excesses of eucalypt that can dominate this region. 

Instead, it's all cedar and bay leaf. There are hints of fruit, sitting quietly in the background. Squarely medium bodied. A little of the acid still haunts through the final third. It's an exercise in restraint, that aside. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th December, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Zonte's Footstep Doctoressa Di Lago Pinot Grigio 2017

Zonte's Footstep Doctoressa Di Lago Pinot Grigio 2017

  11:58    Stu.

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Comes across all a bit pear and peach. I'm not quite sure where to go with that, save for a fruit salad.

Marries a little texture to some retained acidity, more like a Pinot G - betwixt the too. A little phenolic bitterness distracts being my only quibble. 87

Tasted on: Friday 12th January, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

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Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2017

  11:52    Stu.

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Excalibur, is it so called due to the razor sharp acidity for which the variety can be known? or because, like King Arthur's sword, you couldn't pull it out of the rock (or off the shelf) if you wanted?

Personal proclivities aside, I've gotta write about the weed.....

All that said, this is a softer aromatic example, still carrying the passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf and citrus balm. The palate is a little drier, a light phenolic touch against moderate acidity.

Good length to boot. You'd happily go here. 90

Tasted on: Friday 12th January, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.zontesfootstep.com.au/

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Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014

Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014

  08:30    Stu.

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Regional, varietal. Carrying the fudge, muddy; married to dark plummy fruit, ably supported by good use of (mainly older) oak

Pretty thick, chewy wine on entry. There's a good fruit presence, tannin somewhat moderated, yet a firm persistence of flavour pervades and carries long. Some of that salt-licorice-bitterness on the back end, again regional-varietal. 

Goes alright now, better with a stint in the cellar. 91+ 

Tasted on: Thursday 7th December, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.mrriggs.com.au/

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Domaine Catherine Bernard IGP Pays d'Hérault Mourvèdre 2016

Domaine Catherine Bernard IGP Pays d'Hérault Mourvèdre 2016

  12:00    Stu.

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The Pays d'Hérault is in the Languedoc in France's South-West. Taking its name from the Herault River that forms one of its boundaries, it sits in a natural amphitheatre over predominantly Limestone and Schist, the former being Mourvèdre's beloved foundation.

Caveat: tasted in shite Air BnB stemware

Black fruit at its heart, herbal essences with a licorice undertow. Medium bodied and light touch on entry, its juiciness surprises - disarms - given the variety. 

The licorice elements make their presence known, ably supported by the freshness that characterises the wine. There's a gentle play of tannin that sits well through the finish. Very good wine. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 17th December, a Leaf day

Source: Retail, Frenchie
Price: $30 Approx 
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: n/a

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Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2017

Pig in the House Organic Rosé 2017

  09:05    Stu.

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Winemaking by the book here. Fragrant wine, offering up strawberry, hints of raspberry and a suggestion of these delightful boiled lollies I affectionately recall from childhood called 'Rhubarb and Custard'.

Palate of moderate acidity; gentle rasp of tannin - a dryness balanced against a little residual fruit sweetness. Generous in length - surprisingly so - accentuating the fruit quality. Predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of the Shiraz for additional depth. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th January, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.piginthehouse.com.au

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