The extreme heat early in the 2014 vintage proved to disrupt the purity and longevity of many Clare rieslings, yet Jeffrey Grosset manages to uphold refined purity within the impressively spicy intensity of the season in this wine. Exacting definition of lime, lemon and granny smith apple fruit is nuanced with kaffir lime spice. There […]
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Rob Mann suggest that the dry, early and warmer than average 2011 vintage produced a fuller in flavour and more concentrated sauvignon blanc semillon blend, though to me the finished result is testimony to the resilience of these old vines on the Cape Mentelle estate in riding out the subtle variations of the seasons. It’s […]
readThere has always been another dimension to Plantagenet Cabernet, a spice vector that adds another layer to the profile. The 2012 presents a suggestion of cinnamon and clove, within a pristine style that captures exacting varietal definition of violet fragrance, black and redcurrants, capsicum, tobacco and cedar. It is distinguished, effortless, medium bodied and impeccably […]
readThe backbone of Black Label are Wynns’ magnificent single vineyards on the terra rossa strip. The 2012 is classic Coonawarra cabernet, back in the admirably restrained mould of 2009. It’s an excellent release, classic, fine-boned, taut and drawn, built around a fine scaffold of rigid, fine and textural tannins. There’s a core of coiled blackcurrant […]
readIn fragrance, purity, energy and slatey mineral texture, Polish Hill is the riesling of the year to date. Nothing in Clare or Eden Valley comes close in this warm season, so I lined up the best of Western Australia and Tasmania, and Grosset Polish Hill came out on top. A gloriously fragrant bouquet of lily […]
readSingle vineyard, southern Margaret River. Medium purple-red. There is an understated elegance and an effortless grace to this single vineyard wine, backward and coiled at four years of age, capturing the restraint of southern Margaret River. It’s impeccably polished, with super finely textured tannins supporting pure blackcurrant fruit, capably swallowing 45% new French oak. 89% […]
readStevens Road Chardonnay is a selection of the best barrels of mature, low yielding vines on the Boodjidup Brook, on a ridge behind Leeuwin’s Block 20, the core of its magnificent Art Series Chardonnay. This is grand cru chardonnay turf in Margaret River, yet Stevens projects an entirely different personality to Art Series. It’s remarkable, […]
readVasse Felix has poured tremendous energy into its vineyards since 2006 and this is the first vintage that fruit from its newly acquired Karridale site hit Heytesbury heights and was incorporated into the blend for the first time. The focus and purity on show here are nothing short of breathtaking, capturing exquisite fruit and presenting […]
readThe fruit selected for Stonewell is the most intensely flavoured of the vintage, and Wigan describes 2010 as “a notch above average on the intensity scale” yet in a line of 2010 Barossa shiraz, this clocks in admirably as one of the lower in alcohol at 14%. It’s at once deep-set and intense in its […]
readBarrel and bottle maturity have built subtle, savoury charcuterie complexity, which provides depth and character to an otherwise vivacious and youthful style of tense lemon juice acidity. It’s honed, linear and focused, with subtle, well-gauged dosage and a fine, creamy bead. All the elements are in place to go the distance, and all it needs […]
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