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Friday, 30 November 2018

Robert Stein Riesling 2018


Always look forward to the new releases of Robert Stein Riesling, often coming as a trio (Dry, Off-Dry and Sweet). 

In 2018 the Dry instance carries its calling card of lemon grass and kaffir lime. The palate a touch broader and softer than I recall, more rounded citrus, a decent length of grapefruit acidity.

Good, but not quite the stature of precious releases. 91 

Tasted on: Friday 5th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://robertstein.com.au

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Pizzini King Valley Riesling 2018


Sly and the Family Stone’s “It’s a Family Affair” was the ear worm that naturally sprang to mind as I checked my assumed history of the Pizinni family along with that of winemaking up in North-East Victoria’s King Valley.

A region with a deep Italo-Australian heritage, a region originally planted to tobacco before many families saw the writing on the wall and replanted to grapes. 

The Pizinni’s planting their first in 1978 before making the first wine under their own name in 1994, under the guiding hand of patriarch Alfredo.

Beautifully aromatic Riesling, offering up an aroma as crisp and clean as I imagine the sub-alpine air of the King Valley, itself butting up to Australia’s Alpine range.

Citrus, lemongrass and hints of talcum waft from the glass - but the energy, for me, lies in the palate where a distinct minerality and verve provide the buzz from the go.

Has a width and semblance of textural presence compared to, say, the Clare or Eden Valleys. And nor should the King Valley taste like those other regional markers given the considerable distance and differences in topology.

Finishes with a citrus flourish, clean and long, on a drying finish. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 1st November
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 11.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.pizzini.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2018


Kaffir Lime, Granny Smith apple - skin and blossom - certainly a fragrant Riesling, and adding weight to previously aired thoughts on the quality of Riesling from the vintage. 

Exquisitely refreshing, piercing acidity, hints of a phenolic pinch. Latterly feels a little fleshy, a nice width and weight to the wine. Also carries through an element of peachy flavour with that to the finish. 92 

Tasted on: Wednesday 28th November 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 10%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au

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Thursday, 29 November 2018

Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz 2016


I sank into its welcome black-fruited embrace as I approached the end of a week long "holiday" keeping the kids entertained. Aniseed accents added aromatic seasoning to its fruitsome flesh. 

It's quite a simple approach: black fruit, a little oak seasoning and powdery tannin make for a damn approachable wine. Set to go now, it's balanced and integrated - a good drinking proposition. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 4th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au

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Margan Chardonnay 2017


Full on ripe Hunter Chardonnay, dripping with what seems like honeyed pear drops, positively oozing at that. 

It carries that 'golden', somewhat treacley feel, fancy oak in the mix too. Lavish, lush in a weighty manner - although it pulls up a little short. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 4th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au

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Bremerton Mollie & Merle Verdelho 2018


Verdelho has a reputation as somewhat of a workhorse like variety, offering up a veritable fruit salad of aromas and flavours - this example from the Langhorne legends Bremerton no exception.

Smells like a sweetened fruit juice, something like pineapple juice meets lemon squash. I can see how it would have its appeal for those of a sweeter persuasion! 


The fruit sweetness transfers to the palate, rolls around it nicely, has a decent thrust of flavour. It's thickly laid on, subtlety not necessarily its marker. Perhaps for those with, err, less subtle palates it would be the go. A gateway from Moscato perhaps. 87 

Tasted on: Thursday 4th October 
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bremerton.com.au

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Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Gartelmann Jesse Shiraz 2014


Deep set black fruit with oak remnants sitting around.

Slick and silken feel, black fruit sitting proud. Hints of aniseed, as if by a vein flowing through. Flow it does, has a nice balance, weight and energy for a wine just shy of 15%. 

Although it does feel like that balance has come at the expense of substance. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 3rd October 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.gartelmann.com.au

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