Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2018

Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2018

  11:30    Stu.

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Has the delightful kiss of the barest of skin contact, a pale golden/ translucent onion skin blush, that I like in a Gris. 

Don't serve too chilled, else you'll suppress the delicate aromatics: blossom, Nashi pear (AKA 'papples' as they're known.around these parts, being a pear that looks like an apple). 

There's a textural stonefruit line that runs across the palate, more like a peach nectar - seemingly bringing with it a residual sweetness. Lends that width, in the way sugar is want. Temporarily prolongs the finish. Would work well with a dish carrying some spice, a decent Thai dish perhaps. 88 

Tasted on:Tuesday 2nd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Merlot 2016

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Merlot 2016

  07:30    Stu.

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It's always with a fair degree of trepidation that I approach a Merlot sample. Do the viticulturist and winemaker understand understand the nuances of the variety in its chosen region? Or have they produced a generic dry red offering little varietal definition?

Huntington Estate traditionally used its Merlot in 'Bordeaux' blends, first producing it as a varietal in 2006 and opting to release as a 'Special Reserve' in exceptional vintages.

This 2016 release is classic Huntington Estate and typically Mudgee. Add varietal Merlot in the frame and you get mocha oak with a little tobacco thrown in. The tannin profile is exquisitely fine, it's the first thing I noticed as it floods across the palate. 

Not without a sense of freshness, backed up with a swathe of black fruit. Concludes with what can only be described as the Mudgee terroir carrying long on the finish. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 2nd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $38
Alcohol: 14.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au

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Cook's Lot Pinot Gris 2018

Cook's Lot Pinot Gris 2018

  16:30    Stu.

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I've never really quite understood nougat (or 'nugget' as I referred to it in my youth), save for its writ large here and offers appeal. 

Canteloupe melon, pear segments - more mineral on the palate than many a Gris offers. Has a little texture, bringing with it hints of citrus and tropical elements that bolster the profile. 

Certainly stands out from the crowd with respect to other Gris, and this somewhat straddles that Gris/gio territory. No bad thing mind. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 2nd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2017

Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2017

  12:52    Stu.

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Barbera is not exactly a common variety here in Australia, and appears to fair well in some rather diverse regions. Here, Orange - and off a vineyard situated at 600-620 metres - shows the variety well in a cool climate - for Australia at least - guise. 

It's all a mix of Berry fruit married to savoury, woody/herbal hints. There's a remnant of oak in play too. Delightfully poised, with a medium bodied aspect, black fruit with liberal twists of pepper. 

Tannins are fine, powdery, coating the mouth and adding to a generous finish. We opted to pair this with a vegetarian lasagne, where it was more than a match for the juicy, tomato laden construct. Go here, easily. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 1st October 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au

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Bremerton Tamblyn 2016

Bremerton Tamblyn 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Bordeaux with a little South Australia thrown in, being a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz, 12% Malbec and 7% Merlot.

Sure packs in a bit for its $18, with Cabernet off the bat and providing the framework around which the rest hangs. Red berries with that lick of cassis and unmistakable lift of Malbec in the mix.

Soft and fleshy with fine tannins. You'd happily go here for $18. 90

Tasted on Saturday 29th September
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: 

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Lana Prosecco NV

Lana Prosecco NV

  17:18    Stu.

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A subsidiary label for Pizzini, named after the town that bears the same name, located in the Trentino Alto-Adige region of North East Italy. Looking to showcase more old world techniques.

Light bead, sitting pretty and golden in glass. Apple skins, pear, yeasty autolysis and a touch of citrus. 

Spring fresh, it opens up with a large volume of wine. Dry with citrus hints, gently tugging along. 88 

Tasted on: Sunday 25th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: https://www.pizzini.com.au

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Castle Rock Estate Porongurup Riesling 2018

Castle Rock Estate Porongurup Riesling 2018

  11:57    Stu.

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Wonderfully fragrant Riesling from Western Australia's Great Southern. It's all lemongrass and kaffir lime, from aromatics alone I was expecting a tropical fruit sorbet of sorts. 

It's bracing, with a fine acidic crunch and spread across the palate, all lime juice in a length of great satisfaction. It goes fantastically now, yet that natural acidity could yet see its best days ahead of it. 

Impressive in many ways. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 20th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://castlerockestate.com.au

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