Vinoque Gamay Noir 2011

Vinoque Gamay Noir 2011

  21:21    Stu.

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Fruit comes off a vineyard planted in 1998, sadly the Roundstone winery succumbed to fire in the awful 2009 bush fires, the vineyard survived and the fruit was sold to De Bortoli for their new Vinoque range.

There'll be much love for the variety here this year. Lovely moist, meaty aroma. There's a hint of earthy mushroom in the mix too. Support further from softer red and black fruits, roast tomato too.

It's soft and juicy, as is often Gamay's way, yet there's a delightful peppery acidic streak that runs through the wine, bringing up some notes of charcuterie.

The finish shows that acidic line, some drying character, roast meats and a modicum of tannin.  91 - Very Good   

Tasted on: Monday 21st January, a Fruit Day 
Source: Retail, Stewart's Wine Co
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.debortoli.com.au/our-wines/our-brands/vinoque/

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d'Arenberg Fortified Shiraz 2006

d'Arenberg Fortified Shiraz 2006

  20:59    Stu.

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Plum liqueur, floral hints , a touch of licorice, black fruit, dark chocolate and a touch of spice. A wine of depth, of interest. Of rich, velvety texture, a crushed velour feel in the mouth.

Smooth basically, incredibly so. Violets, spice - star anise - with sweet fruit accents. Black fruit runs through the finish. The finish, whilst fine, is not fleeting. 91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Sunday 27th January,  a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 17.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au

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Brash Higgins SM/R Semillon Riesling 2012

Brash Higgins SM/R Semillon Riesling 2012

  05:52    Stu.

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A field blend of the two varieties, that is, both are picked together and fermented at the same time. Shows a pea and green bean character, backed up with some lemon and herbal freshness along with a briny, sea breeze character. 

You can take yourself away to McLaren Vale with this wine, enjoying its pleasures, imagining yourself overlooking the Gulf of St Vincent. Simple pleasures can be derived, perhaps just sitting in the car park adjacent the Star of Greece, looking over Port Willunga Beach.

Light on entry, shows neither the razor sharp or lazer like acid of its constituent parts. Instead, it possesses a rather delightful waxy texture and feel. 

It provides the core of the drinking experience and backs it up with a little key lime and fruit salad. Not the greatest of length, but the freshness and texture define it. 91 – Good

Tasted on: Sunday 4th January, a Root Day
Source: Retail, Grand Central Cellars
Price: $37
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://brashhiggins.com

[This post was edited at 17:50 on 25th January 2013 to correct a geographical error in relation to the beach you would be looking at if in the car park adjacent to the Star of Greece]

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Lofty Valley 2011 Pinot Noir

Lofty Valley 2011 Pinot Noir

  20:54    Stu.

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Black cherry and a hint of strawberry.  Has an aromatic darkness to it - a little damp earth and compost - with a sprinkle of spice.

Entry shows a smooth wine, clean - a little simple.  Struck me as much a dry red in many respects.

Good length, acid derived length, latent fruit character pulled through, drying tannin to conclude (a positive).  88 - Good  

Tasted on: Sunday 20th January, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://loftyvalleywines.com.au

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d'Arenberg Sticks and Stones 2009

d'Arenberg Sticks and Stones 2009

  21:48    Stu.

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Dark, brooding and heady. Tasted over three days, it improved over time - if you intend on drinking young, do yourself a favour and please give it a good decant.

Speaks of a mix of dark berries imbued with a herbal edge, and floral notes of violet. There's a graphite/ mineral streak running through the wine, a master of ceremonies presenting the fine and drying mouth tannin. 

Such a wine I suggest needs food, and with its Iberian based constituent parts would consider that peninsula a good guide.

It's leathery, meaty - a hint of spice and sticks and stones. Finished fine and dry. Liked it more as time went on.  90 - Good 

Tasted on: Friday 18th January, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au

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Natural Selection Theory Live Red 2012

Natural Selection Theory Live Red 2012

  21:37    Stu.

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© Brisbane Times

Defies conventional review in many respects.  It's fresh, primary, of fermenting fruit. Youthful, exuberant, a vibrant red and black mix.

Slight pastille, undissolved CO2 on entry, it serves to freshen and enliven the palate - gives a peppery feel dancing about the tongue.

Bit of rub, of rustic tannin, short on length. It's not intended to be complex. It serves a purpose, to chill down, to consume and not to keep. 

How to score such a wine? For, to do so kind of misses its point. Well, add a number a hyphen and some words: 87 - Average  


Tasted on: Friday 18th January, a Leaf Day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $18
Alcohol:
Closure: Pop-top
Website: http://www.naturalselectiontheory.com/

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Between 5 Bells White Blend 2011

Between 5 Bells White Blend 2011

  21:02    Stu.

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Striking, innovative, impressive.  Superlatives equally applied to the inventive packaging, but try as you may you cannot drink a label.  It's what's inside that counts, and you wouldn't be disappointed here.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Meunier in almost equal components. 

It’s the Chardonnay that shows on the nose, with stonefruit and toasty characters being ably supported with a little Riesling derived lime brulee. 

Entry shows a wine of substance and texture – slippery with a lush velvet feel.  There’s body and depth too, with spicy nuances adding extra interest. 

It’s one for the acid-hounds, the wine clearly identifying itself as a product of a cool and damp vintage.  In no way does this detract from its joy, but forewarned is forearmed.  92 - Very Good

Tasted on: Monday 7th January, a Flower Day 

Source: Gift

Price: $29.50

Alcohol: 12.8%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: http://betweenfivebells.com

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