Early signs are that 2013 is a strong season for Hunter semillon. One of the first in bottle, De Iuliis sings with lime blossom and pink grapefruit fragrance. The palate is taut and honed, with a linear acid spine, slatey texture and tightly coiled structure. A semillon of persistence and potential. $23 at ViNE.
readArticles
Crop thinned to achieve ripeness, yielding just 142 dozen, this is an attractively fragrant and spicy light-bodied red of lifted rose petal, red cherry and pepper aromas The palate is poised and finely textured, with gravelly tannins and refreshing acidity on a long, lively finish. $25 at Jugiong Wine Cellar and direct.
readThere’s an elegant, fragrant beauty to great Yarra Valley cabernet, epitomised in icons like Mount Mary. From the next vineyard along, a similar demeanour is articulated here. Pretty violet fragrance is underscored by deep blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, accented with anise and mixed spice. The palate is beautifully focused and densely packed, with very fine, […]
readThe 30th vintage of Old Block has risen to the occasion, sitting proudly alongside the 1994 and 2008 as three of the greatest of all time. The density of the season is magnificent, layered with sour cherries, ripe berry compote, liquorice, dark chocolate and pepper. A lively fruit confidence lingers with great persistence and vibrant […]
readYou first met Dovetail way back in Edition 4 of Wine Taste Weekly. Three vintages on, this is the best release yet for this haunting and unusual blend, showcasing the synergy of Martinborough’s two finest varieties. Pinot noir takes the lead, with wonderful violet fragrance and fine, mineral mouth feel, accented with syrah’s black pepper, […]
readTactically released after the more approachable 2010, The Vicar 2009 is a showcase for the inimitable tannin structure of the season, firm, rigid and mouth-embracing, yet ultra fine. Density meets calm control in lifted precision of violets and delightful black plum and black cherry fruit, set against a savoury backdrop of black olives and game. […]
readThe blessing of limestone subsoils defines many of pinot’s finest sites on earth, and in the Waipara district of north Canterbury, Mountford’s limestone soils come very close to the surface. The roots of vines now more than twenty years of age draw very fine mineral tannin structure from the earth, defining a pinot noir of […]
readEnvoy is the child of a single block of Spy Valley’s oldest pinot noir vines, and tends to land at the fuller-bodied end of the Marlborough spectrum. It delivers impressive black cherry and violet fragrance in 2010, with refreshing lift for a pinot of 14.5% alcohol. The palate is built on wonderfully mineral tannin depth, […]
readGreywacke takes on a different mood in 2011 to the fragrant 2010, and every bit as beguiling. More savoury, more peppery and more herbal, with a layered core of berry compote, plenty of spice and refined tannins of mineral texture. $38 at Our Cellar.
readDavid Hohnen was among Western Australia’s pioneers of Zinfandel in the 1970s, planting the vineyard that now supplies Cape Mentelle. He planted Rocky Road in the 1990s, and his pioneering work continues in the introduction of new clones. The 2011 is a Zinfandel of outstanding balance – an extremely difficult feat with this variety at […]
read