Chateau Mercian Ensemble Rosé 2015

Chateau Mercian Ensemble Rosé 2015

  12:51    Stu.

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This is a blended Rosé, from primarily Merlot with a little Muscat Bailey A (not a grape I am familiar with). It appears to be a cross-regional blend with fruit drawn from both the Nagano (Japanese central Alpine region) and Yamanashi Prefectures (East Central region, where Mount Fuji sits within).

Gentle Berry aromatics, strawberry in the main (which Rosé seemingly doesn't?). 

Palate is fuller, strawberry and a little raspberry perhaps. Tickle of white pepper across the central palate. No real phenolics to speak of. A simple pleasure to enjoy, certainly smashed down easily with the Gyoza we paired with it. 88 

Tasted on: Sunday 17th June, a Leaf day 
Source: Wine List
Price: ¥4000 (approx. $48 AUD)
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.chateaumercian.com/en/

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Higher Plane Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013

Higher Plane Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013

  08:30    Stu.

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Reserve selection of Cabernet Sauvignon. Spends 18 months in French Oak, even at 5 years that's still evident. 

Underneath that oak, it's a mix of Plum and olive skin, with thyme and bay herbal inflections. 

Fine quality to the palate, smooth as it glides across the palate. A sheen if you will - serves as an introduction to black fruit depths and fine-grained tannin. Possesses subtle depth, a wine of classic proportions. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 13th June, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $38
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.higherplanewines.com.au

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Rymill The Dark Horse Shiraz 2016

Rymill The Dark Horse Shiraz 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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There’s a sense of char here, pepper and black fruit sound the charge. It’s even a little leafy, dusty as it assaults the nasal cavity.

More of that pepper on show through the palate. Not the most defined shape. Tannin a little coarse, reasonable length about it 89

Tasted on: Saturday 9th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Margan Shiraz Mourvedre 2016

Margan Shiraz Mourvedre 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Earth, meaty, a bit blood and bones. Good depth, lifted sweeter accents: Blueberry and violets. Certainly in that spectrum. 

Medium bodied, smooth and silken as it glides across the palate. Brings with it depth and a little structure. Flows well, delivering a good length. Perhaps a latent salinity peeking its head. 

My personal pick of the red releases from the vintage. 91  

Tasted on: Friday 8th June, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Ridgemill Estate the Lincoln Shiraz 2016

Ridgemill Estate the Lincoln Shiraz 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Dense black fruit presenting itself here, it's almost fudge-like with a little oak framework and seasoning of pepper and baking spices. 

You cant escape the medium-bodied frame that is quintessentially Granite Belt, that combined with that fine, graphite tannin and texture. 

It's that tannin that really give the wine presence, gentle length. With time it becomes a little more expressive, some sweeter fruit accents - adding to the generosity. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th June, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://ridgemillestate.com/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2017

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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The wine is rich on opening, expressive of both variety and winemaker's hand. Citrus, stonefruit and judicious barrel work all leave their imprint. 

The palate is expressive too, delicious peach juice cascades over the palate, supplemented by a little Vanilla and what seems like a delicate toffee. Elegance is one way of describing the wine, delicious another. 

Generous, yet subtle, a wine that is at ease now and will reward patient cellaring. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 31st May, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Higher Plane Cabernet Merlot 2015

Higher Plane Cabernet Merlot 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Stated as a single vineyard wine, that either is rather large or certainly planted to a fruit salad of varieties given it's actually a blend of all of the classic Bordeaux varieties with the inclusion of Malbec (6%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (1%), not just the first billed players. 

Milk-chocolate, wafer - all over a berry core. Perhaps suggestions of issues over ripeness, it’s a little lean with tomato leaf.

Delivers a spicy lick through the middle, tomato ketchup sprung to mind. Not altogether unpleasant, certainly unusual. 

Lends a freshness, if at the expense (of what I would seek in) classic Cabernet/ Merlot (and friends) blend. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 29th May, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.higherplanewines.com.au

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