Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2019

Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2019

  16:00    Stu.

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A delightful and barely there blush of colour in the glass. Just ripe beurre blanc pear leads, stone fruit, subtle vanilla hints waft underneath, translating into an almost creaming soda aspect that flows gently across the palate.

A textural roundness and - yet- whilst dry does convey what may be perceived as a hint of residual on the palate. One could almost suspect some clever use of solids or such to give that texture and illusion, however a record dry vintage has given wines of quite remarkable fruit presence. A well made Gris for sure. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 4th December
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au/

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Auld Family Wines Strawbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Auld Family Wines Strawbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Earth, dark chocolate, subtle eucalypt wafting through. Well pitched medium-full body - I've been impressed with the balance of these Auld Family Wines, nothing over-wrought, yet not sacrificing varietal character. 

Well worked, well executed. A finesse carries the wine with a flourish across the finish. A spike of tannin adding a textural edge. 92 (touch and go for a point higher).

Tasted on: Thursday 26th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $42
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://auldfamilywines.com/

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Juniper Crossing Chardonnay 2018

Juniper Crossing Chardonnay 2018

  16:00    Stu.

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It spends 9m in French Oak, of which 15% is new.

Stonefruit, leesy, bready notes; the 2018 guise saw an extra 5m on lees to build complexity. Fairly solid and voluminous wine,  of generosity and substance; Stonefruit, tropical fruit hints, subtle spice. Lees stirring post-ferment has built texture. 

It's of moderate length, more for now I'd suggest, perhaps for short term cellaring only, to 4 years. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 135
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Juniper Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Juniper Crossing Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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It's a 52/48 blend of the two respectively. A small portion of the Semillon (5%) was fermented in barrel. Additionally there was stirring of the lees to build extra texture. 

Well it's certainly an expressive number: Citrus, grass and herb, veering toward a suggestion of Gooseberry over blackcurrant leaf and passionfruit for some fruit relief. 

The texture on the palate evident, giving a fullness and feel, softening the acids without sacrificing altogether. A phenolic pinch on the back palate adds to the memory of the wine and delivering length. It's a very well worked wine. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 28th November, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/

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Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2019

Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2019

  16:00    Stu.

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Stonefruit, melon, creamy cashew and nougat; fresh and approachable, no oak presence to speak of - perhaps the merest smattering of oak derived spice.

Fruit presence is well defined across the palate, textural nuances, subtle spiced hints. For a wine that can be found around the $10-14 mark it's certainly well executed. 89 

Tasted on: Monday 18th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Altus Rise Ascension Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Altus Rise Ascension Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Altus Rise is a relatively new label - at the time of writing the website doesn't even seem operational - with fruit sourced primarily from vineyards in the Yallingup sub-region of Margaret River. I think it fair to say that that wines are a work in progress at this early juncture, the promise is there mind - particularly in this 'Ascension' range.

Classic Margs profile, offering plump and inviting red/black fruit, dark chocolate and a spiced cedary aspect. 

Certainly some body about it, fine and powdery tannins coat the mouth, strong fruit comes on - darkly. Needs some time to settle, the flash of acidity suggests that time will be kind, but for now it's somewhat youthful and ungainly. The promise is there. 91+ 

Tasted on: Saturday 1st February 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://altusrise.com.au/

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Bremerton Old Adam Shiraz 2016

Bremerton Old Adam Shiraz 2016

  20:33    Stu.

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Old Adam sits perched top of the Bremerton tree, representing prime Langhorne Creek Shiraz, and built for the long haul. As such, it feels remiss to attempt to drink in youth, but sample and assess we must. Previous reviews available here.

Rich, deep set, coffeed oak wraps the aromatics up, offering glimpses of the deep fruit and spice that will eventually make themselves known.

Lavish across the palate, an acidic freshness carrying the wine with energy. Tannin feels somewhat subtle for a wine of this substance. Fruit rides in on waves, carrying itself in a flourish across the finish, blue and black in the main. As ever, a wine of substance and style, built for the long haul. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 2nd February 

Source: Sample
Price: $56
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au/

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