Lowe Headstone Primitivo Rosé 2014

Lowe Headstone Primitivo Rosé 2014

  08:03    Stu.

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So the story goes....as a flying winemaker back in the 90s, David Lowe was awarded the title of Rosé of the Year by the Times of London in both 1992 and 1993. Lowe has been known to quip: "There’d be worse things than being remembered for making the best Rosé in the world…. But not much. Imagine your headstone being inscribed ‘Maker of the World’s Best Rosé".

From a - certified - organic block on the Lowe property in Mudgee. A lovely pale salmon with copper hues. Opens with toffee apple, strawberry and a touch of dry-tart cranberry.

Dry, savoury - chalky phenolics and crunchy acid. But it's those phenolics that - for me - define the wine. Needs food, the right kind too - I matched it with some red meat that masked the delicate flavours and phenolics. Try something like a tuna salad.

Tasted on: Thursday 26th February, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 11.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.lowewine.com.au/

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Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2013

Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2013

  15:37    Stu.

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"A-won't you take me to Funkytown?

Won't you take me to Funkytown?"

~ Lipps Inc, Funkytown

Some lovely funky AKA struck-match complexity on display here - something that may not appeal to all. Winemaking on the edge, skillfully navigated by winemaker Simon Black. Florals, lemon, grapefruit - a suggestion perhaps of some melon in the aromatic medley.

Light, a wine that bounces around the palate - finesse, fragility - good focal precision and balance, pinpoint acidity and guiding length. It's undoubtedly a quality release. It commands your attention.

Possesses length in spades - you carry on tasting long after you've consumed, a sign of the quality inputs into this wine. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd February, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Hervé Souhaut Vin des Pays l'Ardeche Syrah 2013

Hervé Souhaut Vin des Pays l'Ardeche Syrah 2013

  12:40    Stu.

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Domaine Romeaux-Destezet was founded by Hervé Souhaut in 1993. Hervé has holdings across both the Northern Rhone and Southern l'Ardeche. Souhaut follows the principles of leading natural wine advocates, Jules Chauvet - whole bunches, utilising carbonic maceration at low temps, wild yeasts etc. 

Souhaut seeks "to extract a delicate balance of tannins from the grapes, to make a wine with subtlety and finesse" - the Syrah is a wine I've longed to taste

Initially bright, berry driven aromatics - the carbonic ferment there; with time - lavender, cassis, violets - background hints of char, bacon fat and perhaps even a little ash. It's inviting, pretty, for me - something I wanted to drink and savour.

Plum skins, black fruit, ever-so-sligh rub of tannin, the tang of a little sour fruit - juicy, more-ish. Again, something I wanted to consume - with gusto. With time, you see a touch more of that Rhone pan juice and meat.

It's a wine to drink - not classically 'great' in the critical sense, or of a length to consider the same. It's a compelling drinking proposition - and a beautifully proportioned one at a mere 11.3%. Drink I did. 90

Tasted on: Friday 20th February, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $65
Alcohol: 11.3%
Website: Importer

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Hither & Yon Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2012

Hither & Yon Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2012

  21:14    Stu.

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Purple aromatics emanate from the glass: violets, blackcurrant, florals general - switches to a little black fruit and mint. Smells like new French oak, except it's bot, vanilla then - OK?

Quite ripe, forward - as befits the year - black fruited. Hints of licorice, herb, cassis/blackcurrant here too. Not over-ripe, made in an easy going style and alcohol wise, quite restrained. Very much a house style emerging across the H&Y portfolio.

The finish reminded me of the 'cake' from the press at vintage - a little bit savoury, of juniper and cedar - all up a combination that just made me want meat. Capisce? 90

Tasted on: Friday 20th February, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.7% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Old Faithful 'The Almond Grove' Mourvédre 2006

Old Faithful 'The Almond Grove' Mourvédre 2006

  09:19    Stu.

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Showing some good secondary development, yet still retaining elements freshness. Aromatics by way of black cherry, liqueur soaked prunes, dried lavender tips. Has the dark, heady, kirsch, veering to licorice and tar.

Medium-full of body, tannin is firm, raspy spread - you might say gruff, tannin. Bit of black cherry compote, herb and spice. Balance, fades to a little licorice rope, fails to set the world alight.

Shows a latent hint of citrus oil, iodine, but beyond that offers little. Not a bad wine. Fading into the sunset of its life. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 19th February, a Root to Flower day
Source: Retail, Vinomofo
Price: $30ish
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.adelaidewinemakers.com.au/pages/the-old-faithful

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Stockman's Ridge 'Rider' Shiraz 2012

Stockman's Ridge 'Rider' Shiraz 2012

  16:00    Stu.

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I met winemaker Jonathan Hambrook once, about 4 years back - pretty smart fellow, recognising the need to hook into the core tourism market, in addition to now having his own cellar door.

I reckon this would be an interesting site to visit too, lots of cool pepper on show here, smoke 'n' oak too - all enveloping a core of black fruit. Some semblance of fennel tops add an extra dimension.

Soft, juicy palate - at odds to the intro - disarming. Regain your composure and settle-in, enjoy the soft and sensuous berry fruit here, a little residual oak tannin. A crowd pleaser.

On a good length, licorice, black fruit and white pepper. 90

Tasted on: Monday 16th February, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.stockmansridge.com.au/

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Out of Step Wine Co. Willoughby Bridge GSM 2014

Out of Step Wine Co. Willoughby Bridge GSM 2014

  09:11    Stu.

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I'm enjoying the creative outputs from the guys at Out of Step Wine Co, this GSM - fruit sourced out of Heathcote - has a different vibe from wines tasted previously. Equally delicious mind.

Smells brown on opening - I'm very much into colour at present I've noticed - time and air sees a little fruit drawn forward, there's a little woody edge - like the breaking down wood in a deciduous forest, spice - cinnamon,

There's more of that spice on the palate, playful fruit crumble, the carbonics lending an easy-going, juicy edge to proceedings. It just gives the wine a smashable feel, you yearn to drink it.

Dry on the finish, savoury and spice, good on length - if not particularly memorable. But I'm guessing that's not the intent here. Could go a point higher - 89 

Tasted on: Monday 16th February, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap 
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com/

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