St Hugo Shiraz 2015

St Hugo Shiraz 2015

  11:30    Stu.

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St Hugo's way, lead with the oak (and it's French, all 70% of it). 

It's a marker, a house style if you wish. Blackcurrant, Plum, the vanillin oak - there, again. Black. Fruit and sweet oak remnants, singular and solid. Whether that oak settles into itself remains to be seen. 90+

Tasted on: Friday 5th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $54.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.sthugo.com

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Margan Aged Release Semillon 2013

Margan Aged Release Semillon 2013

  07:30    Stu.

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Sitting there, reserved, the wine equivalent of arms and legs folded. Sullen. Hints, perhaps, of citrus and grass. Rock melon, maybe. 

The palate, livelier. There's a minerality, a tingle across the palate, a drying pucker. Freshening acidity - you get the impression it still has much to yield. 

At this early (ignore the fact it's 5) juncture it's hard to say. 91+ 

Tasted on: Friday 5th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au

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Brand's Laira Blockers Chardonnay 2017

Brand's Laira Blockers Chardonnay 2017

  16:30    Stu.

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Cannot immediately recall too many Coonawarra Chardonnay across the bench. Perhaps Katnook and Hollick being those prompt some instant recall.

Here, Brand's Laira, part of the ever growing Casella stable, offers up a Chardonnay that's heavy set, oak and a creamy custard-vanilla frame dominate. 

The palate, chewy with remnants of citrusy acidity. Pulls a little short. Fair try. 86 

Tasted on: Friday 5th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Srewcap
Website: www.brandslaira.com

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Cook's Lot Cabernet Merlot 2016

Cook's Lot Cabernet Merlot 2016

  12:52    Stu.

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Cabernet in the cooler margins, with some assistance from old mate Merlot. Softer, almost mellifluous manner, yet tannins are somewhat firmer than that might suggest. 

It comes across as more like a milk chocolate, mocha, with cedar, mint and a touch of tobacco. Beyond the tannin it finishes well - if a touch narrow. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 4th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.cookslot.com.au

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Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2016

Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2016

  16:48    Stu.

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The unison of the earth and the flowers that grow in, spicey a hint of meatiness - whole bunch evident - combiner floral aspects: rose hip, hibiscus.

Lighter touch on entry, a fine-grain of mouth coating, powdery tannin. Gives length, stature and volume. Freshening acidity brings the wine home, paradoxically racing to a gentle conclusion 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 17th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $49
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.shawandsmith.com

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Liv Zak Syrah 2016

Liv Zak Syrah 2016

  11:30    Stu.

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Liv Zak is a second label, of sorts, for COldstream (Yarra Valley) based Warramunda Estate.

Brambley mix of fruit, spice, suggestion of whole bunch. Invitingly fresh and vibrant, fruit at its core with a savoury frame. 

Feels slick, polished, a veneer of glossy black fruit with aniseed and black pepper twists. Sensuous and easy going, yet with enough gravitas to elevate it to more than a thirst quencher. 91  

Tasted on: Wednesday 28th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://warramundaestate.com.au

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Silkwood Estate The Bowers Shiraz 2015

Silkwood Estate The Bowers Shiraz 2015

  07:30    Stu.

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Deep and robust Shiraz from Silkwood Estate of Pemberton, in Western Australia's South-East. 

Plums, a meaty - almost gamey - edge, gives it a firm and deep profile. Hints of pencil shaving, cloven spice and pepper add to the depth and allure. 

Light and supple, at odds to the aromatic depths it charts, a feint minerality. Freshness by way of Satsuma Plum. 89 

Tasted on: Saturday 24th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.silkwoodestate.com.au

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