Chateau Peybonhomme Les Tours Cotes de Blay 2012

Chateau Peybonhomme Les Tours Cotes de Blay 2012

  14:13    Stu.

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I was first served this wine by a well known booze pimp in Brisbane, sufficiently interested by it that I sourced a bottle for further analysis.

Quite rare in Bordeaux, the grapes for this wine are grown following biodynamic practices.

I'd best describe it's intro as 'soft', with quince meeting kumquat meeting oxidative notes of bruised golden delicious apple, you know, the one that's been rummaging around in a kiddies backpack for a few days. It's delicate, subtle and intriguing.

In the mouth, it's at odds to that aromatic entrance: firm, mineral - a big mouthfeel with a phenolic edge, full and textural. Citrus lingers - a little suggestion of "driving over lemons". Concludes on a good length, yet not necessarily derived from flavour. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 12th November, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $37
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork
Importer Website: www.bibendum.com.au

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Meerea Park The Aunts Shiraz 2011

Meerea Park The Aunts Shiraz 2011

  10:47    Stu.

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Found this one during a Cabinet reshuffle (read: samples fridge). Apologies for having overlooked you.

Interesting one this, good medium bodied wine, black and red fruits show initially before blocky oak prevents further expression.

Savoury, leathery, gamey - a touch mousey on the nose. Delightful talcum fine tannin abutted with sharp acids, segueing to reasonable length. But just doesn't feel like the parts are working in unison. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 12th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.meereapark.com.au/

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S.C.Pannell by SCP Nebbiolo 2012

S.C.Pannell by SCP Nebbiolo 2012

  10:09    Stu.

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Excellent value at $25 direct from the producer or, for a few gold coins more, pick it up at an excellent independent retailer.

Lots going on here with a beautiful, fragrant introduction. One of cherry, amaro citrus, almond biscotti and a touch of rolling baccy.

Medium of body, chalky and drying of tannin. Touch of the savoury with licorice, backed up with a slap of tart red berry and a flash of acid to freshen things up. Good length, good wine. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th November, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Cru Bar & Cellars
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.pannell.com.au

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Symphony Hill Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Symphony Hill Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  17:36    Stu.

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It's quite possible that Symphony Hill can lay claim to the title of "Queensland's most successful exhibitor at wine shows", if anyone's counting and if such a title indeed existed.

However, their success has largely been off of the back of fruit drawn from outside of the Granite Belt region that the winery calls home, case in point being their 2014 Gewurztraminer which took home "Best Single Varietal White Wine" at the 2014 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.

As with that trophy winner, this Sauvignon Blanc sees the fruit drawn from New England, where winemaker Mike Hayes also makes wines for Topper's Mountain.

To the wine in question: lychee, papaya, green mango with a vanilla creme topping. Managing to successfully eschew the shrill aromatics that the Sauvignon can be known for, the barrel fermentation technique can tame sauvage notes.

The palates shows a good carry of flavour, initially devoid of texture - surprising given the techniques adopted - a suggestive toasty, brulee note introduces itself. A modicum of spice, creeping length and a waxy note on exit. 

Worked well with a Sunday helping of fish and chips. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 9th October, a Root day
Source: Gift
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11.65%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.symphonyhill.com.au/

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Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2011

Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2011

  13:35    Stu.

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The importer of this wine is thankful that the producer doesn't live in Burgundy. So am I. I'd been keen to try this for a while, promptly securing a bottle when I finally found it at a retail store in Brisbane. Contrary to what other addicts may do, the thrill of securing a small piece of such a consumable product was enough, leaving this bottle to gently rest in the sanctity of the wine fridge. But there comes a time, a moment when such an item calls, its lure can be resisted no longer.

At a time when many wines receive glowing, effusive reviews - and scores in the mid-high 90s - I felt a curious combination of guilt and vulgarity at awarding this wine a mere 95 points. A wine attracting such an award should be considered world class, a claim I'd be happy to stand behind here. However, draw from my confession what you will.

Opens to funk, meat/charcuterie; earthen beetroot, florals, cherry pie and fresh cracked pepper. Possesses a velvet like entry, excellent dense cherry fruit; structured, moving to a mineral laden and firmer core, acid aiding and abetting length. 

And oh what length it has - so impressive in its sustain. A wine that straddles a line, a double-helix of firmness and elegance. 95

Tasted on: Saturday 25th October
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $60ish
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork
Importer Website: http://www.andrewguard.com.au/

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Lark Hill Shiraz Viognier 2013

Lark Hill Shiraz Viognier 2013

  09:29    Stu.

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Opens with a leading aromatic lift, of bright red fruits; attractive, approachable. Medium bodied, peppery with exquisite silken tannins and a little Viognier slipperyness.

Savoury punctuation at the wine's conclusion, a point that just adds further to an already excellent wine. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 4th November, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwinery.com/

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Lowe Mudgee Blue Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2012

Lowe Mudgee Blue Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2012

  13:44    Stu.

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Cabernet leads here, front and centre - its cedary charms on offer. A sweeter edge pulls through on entry, then it's juicy - a little tart blue fruit with a nip of acid.

Lacks a bit of stuffing in the middle third, but offers reasonable length. It's a pleasure now and seems to suggest it has enough to reward over the short term, say 5-7years. 89

Tasted on: Monday 3rd November, a Flower transitioning to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.lowewine.com.au/

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