Quartz Hill Pyrenees Shiraz 2014

Quartz Hill Pyrenees Shiraz 2014

  16:30    Stu.

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Bit of a stink on opening: reductive in nature with a bit of meaty pan juice action. Medium bodied. Any palate weight is overlooked with the assault of flavours that are presented immediately. Clove, anise, pepper - a classic marker of the cool Pyrenees. 

Inherently savoury in its bent, there are subtle inflections of well meshed black fruit, but the persistent undertow of savoury character just positions the wine. Tannin sits very well, a subtlety at first that simply grows in stature. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 17th May, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.quartzhillwines.com.au/

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Old Jarvie The Enforcer Shiraz Mataro Malbec 2016

Old Jarvie The Enforcer Shiraz Mataro Malbec 2016

  12:30    Stu.

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The Mulberry and Plummy signature of the leading red varieties sing here. Twists of herb, florals, a suggestion of anise.

Medium bodied veering to full with a chewy, chocolatey body. Subtle cocoa powder tannins coat the mouth, providing a guide for a decent length of flavour. Fairly linear progression, no nonsense, flavour packed. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 6th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.oldjarvie.com.au/

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Gartelmann Diedrich Shiraz 2014

Gartelmann Diedrich Shiraz 2014

  08:30    Stu.

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Interesting one here. From the famed/ regarded/ insert superlative of choice, Hunter 2014 vintage, yet they winery saw fit to supplement things with the addition of a some Clare fruit. Not the first Hunter to appreciate some of Clare's charm I'm sure.

Carries some grunt, mint, leather and gamey notes. That's not to say fruit is missing from equation: black cherry, blackcurrant, and sugar plum. 

It's lightweight in the mouth, smooth - the black fruit consistent throughout. Spicy depths, and a gorgeous tail of light-on tannin. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 4th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.gartelmann.com.au

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Quartz Hill Mencia 2016

Quartz Hill Mencia 2016

  16:30    Stu.

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Good to see the number of producers of Mencia in Australia on the increase.

Not the strongest aromatic game here, not from a fruit perspective at least. Then, Mencia is like that. If anything, watermelon, again not the strongest fruit aromatically. 

Aromatics not its strength. Instead, it's really a bone dry offering, flecks of white pepper - Pyrenees terroir on hand - powder fine phenolics. Does come across as a little lean and hard. Its best months - the warmer ones - are ahead of it. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 25th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.quartzhillwines.com.au/

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Mr Riggs Cold Chalk Chardonnay 2015

Mr Riggs Cold Chalk Chardonnay 2015

  14:30    Stu.

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You get the sense this is going to be somewhat bigger in style, with peach and vanilla aromatics buoyed by some gentle oak spice. 

Substantive feel with more spice presence. Vanilla and cream oak really add up to a significant presence in the mouth. 

It's quite full throttle, largesse being one of its traits. Inter stung, if not quite in the current vogue. 88 

Tasted on: Saturday 29th April, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.mrriggs.com.au/

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Margan White Label Semillon 2016

Margan White Label Semillon 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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It was a wet December/January in the Hunner, consequently the grapes were left on the vine through February to dry and restore balance. 

Citrus, hints of kumquat- bordering on what be considered little botrytis aroma. Stonefruit, rounds out the ripeness on show. Shows a bit of minerality on first taste - immediately on taking into the mouth.

There's a real freshness about this wine: manages to balance citrus and stone fruit, throw in a little middle palate texture along with a touch of acid. This is no electrifying Semillon of the type often seen in youth, just showing inherent balance and approachability. 

Will it offer the longevity many seek in HV Sem? Time will tell. 92.  

Tasted on: Tuesday 25th April, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.margan.com.au

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Gartelmann 'Jonathan' Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Gartelmann 'Jonathan' Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  16:30    Stu.

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Fudgee, Mudgee, more of the dusky, somewhat dusty line, with plum and mulberry.

Pretty, ripe, pretty ripe. Carries a good cassis, semi-floral air to proceedings. You can't mistake it for anything but Cabernet, albeit with the freshness and juice. 

Easy going you'd say. Spot on you'd feel; classic, if not complex. 90  

Tasted on: Wednesday 10th May, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.gartelmann.com.au

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