Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2016

Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2016

  08:00    Stu.

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Dense Plum and Mulberry, oak; in the glass the tell-tale vibrant rim, alluding to the Viognier. Oak latterly manifests itself in that mocha, vanilla manner - never quite throwing off the dense and succulent black fruit.

The palate is energetically driven by a line of acidity, citrus like in manner, a view consistent with many Syrah/Shiraz that I've had the pleasure to know. Medium bodied, tannin fine, fruit and acid presence embrace in a race to the finish. Drink now, or go to 10 in the cellar. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 23rd November, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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Juniper Small Batch Tempranillo 2018

Juniper Small Batch Tempranillo 2018

  16:30    Stu.

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Inclusion of 5% Shiraz; spends 15m in oak, no new. A darker manifestation of inky blue fruit: blueberries, cassis, smattering of violets.

Feels light on entry, fleet of foot, before powder fine sweeps across the palate. Nigh chalky in feel, it feels as though it morphs in the palate, expanding first and then contracting to a fine length. 

Persistent in nature, latent black fruit intertwined with savoury structure. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 27th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2018

Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Delightful, invitational mix; of ripe stonefruit, melon and vanilla oak, the latter framing things up nicely. Moderate palate, nicely balanced mix of the oak, adding some bite and spice; suggestion of phenolics, textural spread and a creamy aspect.

Decent length, perhaps just missing a little extra drive and verve. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 9th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.katnookestate.com.au/

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Hill-Smith Estate Chardonnay Double Header: Adelaide Hills vs Eden Valley

Hill-Smith Estate Chardonnay Double Header: Adelaide Hills vs Eden Valley

  20:00    Stu.

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Hill-Smith Estate of course being from the broader Yalumba portfolio. 

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2018

Classic Hills Chardonnay, with a subtle oak, stonefruit and citrus aromatic lead. Where it stands out is on the palate, and with a generous intent it exhibits citrus, stonefruit and meal - again classic Hills profile. Minerally, mealy profile on the finish giving generosity and a suggestion of longevity. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 11th January 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap

Eden Valley Chardonnay 2018

Shows the winemakers hand, with wild ferment and hints of barrel fermentation. Redolent of dried straw, and pouring a similar colour. Aspects of citrus and stonefruit in the mix too. Touch of weight, clipped acidity and a flinty edge - lends what feels an austere edge, in a good way. The flintiness subtlety cascading on a long bow across the palate. One I came around to, a wine that will add some flesh to the bones, growing with some bottle time. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 13th January 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap

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Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz 2018

Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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I got myself into a bit of a tizz over this wine. I was sure this was always billed/labelled as a Shiraz Viognier.

Nope, I was wrong, have only reviewed one previous vintage, the 2012. That said a release relating to the 2017 does indicate the inclusion of a small percentage.

So, Perhaps looking for something that isn't there, but a vibrant rim alludes to the presence of some percentage of Viognier. Regardless, brighter raspberry with deeper notes of plum and mulberry. Hints of chocolate, warmed McLaren Vale earth and a touch of spice.

Medium bodied, an acidic freshness, before a meatier and fuller  proposition manifests across the palate. Tannin, firmer; coarser and certainly making itself known. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 7th November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.wirrawirra.com/

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Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2018

Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2018

  11:37    Stu.

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2018 was a warm Adelaide Hills vintage, consequently the decision was made to not put any of the Tiers 1.5m Chardonnay through malolactic fermentation due to additional fruit ripeness.

It's a generous mix of ripe stonefruit, over hints of Nashi pear and fig; framed up with toasty oak remnants, the wine seeing one third new oak. 

The fruit presence certainly makes itself known on the palate too, driving acidity propels the wine across the palate, delivering length for days. It's perhaps a touch young at this juncture, it will meld together in a harmonious manner over the long-term. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 3rd November, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Auld Family Wines Wilberforce Riesling 2019

Auld Family Wines Wilberforce Riesling 2019

  08:08    Stu.

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The Auld family have deep connections to the Australian wine industry, spanning a history some 150 years in the making. It doesn't stop there, with current generation Jock and Sam Auld continuing the families rich legacy through a winery bearing the family name.

Classic Eden: blossom, florals and smatterings of lime; suggestions of stonefruit in the mix too. It's certainly an inviting profile.

Lime is immediately evident on the palate, that tang and juice driven line. Not without a touch of powdery phenolic texture, nigh chalky in how it clings to the palate. Length in freshness, drive and yet with a subtlety to proceedings. Lime and lemon butter perhaps. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://auldfamilywines.com/

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