Nepenthe Tempranillo 2010

Nepenthe Tempranillo 2010

  21:43    Stu.

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Great aromatics that contrast between bright, perky, perty blueberry and raspberry, with roasted coffee and woody notes.  It's pleasingly aromatic and inviting.

Entry shows some good bright acid with a re-emergence of the fruity notes mentioned.  Medium bodied and rather slurpable, from entry through to the finish - which is moderately lengthy - showing balance and soft tannin for immediate pleasure.

Off of vines planted in 1998, the first Tempranillo vines in the Hills.  I hadn't had much luck with an earlier foray into the variety.  This wine is the exception to those, deserving of the honours emblazoned across its front.

Source: Sample

Price: $19.99

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: http://www.nepenthe.com.au/

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Tempus Two Cabernet Merlot 2010

Tempus Two Cabernet Merlot 2010

  18:45    Stu.

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Distinctive packaging, approachability, showcasing regional and varietal strengths are some of Tempus Two's brand values.

This wine is from the 'varietal' series and offers good aromatics from both grape varieties: some good cigar box from the Cabernet and berry fruit goodness from the Merlot - think plums, blueberries here.  

It's soft, rounded and fairly supply.  Good easy drinking style.  A little short on the finish - but at $15 this can be forgiven.  There's some tannin for interest, and a further glimpse of the fruit characteristics seen throughout.  

Offers easy going drinkability - great introduction to this classic blend.

Source: Sample

Price: $14.99

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: http://www.tempustwo.com.au/

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Dutschke St Jakobi 2009

Dutschke St Jakobi 2009

  12:26    Stu.

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I was given the opportunity to try this wine by the guys at Barossa HQ, a fantastic online wine room - and similar in concept to the Adelaide Hills Wine Room - where you can engage in live wine and food tastings.  It's all about the conversation and getting individuals engaged with the region.

A single vineyard wine and at $35 represents excellent value.  Fruit comes from a 6 acre, 32 row block planted in 1975 by Wayne Dutschke's "Uncle Ken".  In 2009, it was picked on two separate occasions to enable a cross-spectrum of Shiraz flavours to be obtained and then racked into a range of new and old French and American oak.  

Lyndoch is at the Southern, flatter end of the Barossa Valley.  Elevation is roughly around the 180m mark.  Ripening typically occurs earlier here, and the resulting wines tend to be ripe and lush without being overtly big.

That said, this '09 St Jakobi shows aromas that are typically present of wines from fruit off of the block.  It's fairly black and tarry, showing savoury and intoxicating aromatics.  The wood is present, invitingly so.  It's spicy on the palate, showing dark and rich Christmas pudding fruits.  

Spice carries through the finish and shows the typical hallmark St Jakobi characters of smoky and spicy plum.  Excellent drinking now, or pop some away for a few years and be further rewarded.

Source: Sample

Price: $35 RRP

Alcohol: 14.8%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: www.dutschkewines.com

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BK Wines Nouveau Syrah 2011

BK Wines Nouveau Syrah 2011

  08:23    Stu.

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I'm going to attempt to get two notes up today.  Two wines made by producers I really respect, two wines from different vintages, two single vineyard wines from sites about 30 KMs apart, two wines that are the anti-thesis of each other.  And two wines that I really enjoyed for two very different reasons.

This is the first.  A wine not planned, a consequence of the troublesome 2011 vintage in parts of Australia.  A wine from an individual confident in his own abilities and not afraid to push himself and challenge the perceptions of Australian wines and winemaking.

The fruit is from Gumeracha.  100% whole berry, it spends 20 days on skins and is warmed through malo.  Sees no wood at all and is sent straight to bottle.  Aromatically smells like a primary ferment.  It's all juicy berry aromatics, bubble gum - it's BK's ode to Booj.  It reminded me a little of Dutschke's Cab Mac, but more on that producer in the next post.

In the mouth, there's more of the same.  It's soft, rounded and fruity - slightly under-ripe raspberry; you get the picture.  The finish sees a little spice, some white pepper.  It's damn enjoyable, a back deck kind of wine.  You could even chill it down some, and at this alcohol is a great lunchtime quaffer.  That's not a pejorative statement.

Source: Tasting

Price: $23

Alcohol: 12.5%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: bkwines.com.au

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Majella Riesling 2009

Majella Riesling 2009

  09:24    Stu.

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From a region renowned for its Cabernet comes this pale, pretty, delicate Riesling of breadth and mineral-laden depth.

Florals on the nose, some apple blossom aromatics and a faint whiff on some kero.  Entry shows some stony zing! The minerality radiating, providing textural breadth; the finish delicacy again, yet persistently so.  The minerality continues (did I mention the minerality?), showing a quartzy touch that tantalises the tongue and roof of the mouth. There's length, refreshing, fulfilling balanced length.  Bring on the Rizza say I. 

Very happy given that I asked for the Rosé when I originally place the order and this was sent instead.  Good price given the enjoyment factor.  Why is Riesling so undervalued?

Source: Winery
Price: $16-17
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.majellawines.com.au


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Taylor's Jaraman Shiraz 2009

Taylor's Jaraman Shiraz 2009

  12:47    Stu.

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I used to drink a fair bit of Taylor's in the UK - somewhat unknowingly as it was under the Wakefield brand.  Taylor's is one of Australia's First Families of Wine, and its Jaraman label represents those wines made with a cross-regional composition.  This being 80% Clare and 20% McLaren Vale fruit.  

Black and brooding, the wine spends a fair bit of time in oak - 12 months, all American, 10% new, 80% 1-3 years old (can only assume the remaining 10% is 3+ years).  

The oak is evident on the nose, along with some coffee-mocha and plum.  Entry shows a wine that's medium-full bodied, certainly not thick and syrupy like some you encounter.  Further fruit encountered on the palate: cherry, red berries and a touch of cassis.

The finish is decent too, some residual oak and vanilla an initial entrée to further red fruit; a touch of warmth at the back of the throat a little noticeable - a product of its vintage - but not distracting.  All up fair persistence of flavour - a continuance of some tannic presence.  An all round easy drinker.  

You'll certainly find this wine cheaper than its RRP and its often a feature on many by the glass wine lists.  You could do much worse than overlook this.

Source: Sample

Price: $30 RRP

Alcohol: 14.9%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: www.taylors.com.au

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Two Sisters Pinot Noir 2006

Two Sisters Pinot Noir 2006

  08:35    Stu.

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Opened this for the Rugby World Cup Final - it was the only Kiwi wine in the house - and it proved rather an apt  metaphor for the All Blacks that night.

Whilst, ultimately, the wine delivered, it lacked the finesse and fluidity of some of its peers. Solid, sturdy - but not particularly inspiring.  As I say, a bit like the All Blacks in that final.

Jooby, juicy aromas on the nose.  Fairly big and extracted.  Medium bodied, lacks depth.  The finish showing warmth and spice.  Don't get me wrong, it was perfectly drinkable - and do just that, drink rather than pontificate and muse. 

Source: Retail, Champion Liquor

Price: $30 RRP

Alcohol: 14%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: www.twosisters.co.nz

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