Tim Kirk reports that 2013 was a return to the warm, sun-bathed seasons of the 2000s in Hilltops, with warm days and cool nights furnishing perfect ripeness. His is a refreshingly spice-driven Hilltop Shiraz, layered with violet perfume, pepper, dried herbs and black plum skins. Tannins are finely structured and drying, drawing out a long […]
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In the finest vintages, the second wines of the great estates of the world make fantastic buys and great value for money. 2012 is an outstanding Cliff Edge of persistence and refinement, impressively exotic and exuberant, yet restrained and focused. There’s great depth here of blackberry and black plum fruit, liquorice straps, pepper and exotic […]
readTim Kirk describes vintage 2014 as a “wild ride” between October frost, November hail, February heat wave and April rain. To pull such an immediately alluring riesling out of this harrowing season is a testimony to his talent. It’s captivating even now, two-and-a-half months prior to its October release. Beautiful aromatics of kaffir lime and […]
readWhen shiraz reaches impeccable flavour and tannin ripeness at a refreshing 12.0% alcohol, the result can be captivating. The cool 2012 season has amplified the aromatics of Trinity Hill’s favourite variety on the Gimblett Gravels, and low impact winemaking has preserved its delicacy and fragrance. A hit of pronounced white pepper and crunchy black plum […]
readDon’t be put off by the name or the label, this 1600 bottle single vineyard McLaren Vale shiraz is beautifully refined and controlled. Linda Domas is a master of restraint, and this wine exemplifies her talent, preserving the definition of the biodynamic Creeper Vineyard of less than two-thirds of a hectare, planted in 2002 in […]
readJansz has crafted one of the great Australian sparkling wines, presenting an exacting and captivating balance between fruit presence, lees maturity and zesty freshness. An elegant and delightfully complex nose of fresh pear, lemon zest, brioche, honey and a hint of fig introduces a beautifully poised palate that unites the rich complexity of barrel fermentation […]
readJust inland from the coast, Calgardup Brook Vineyard is the source of the most elegant and focused of McHenry Hohnen’s 2012 chardonnays. It’s a consummately honed and restrained Margaret River style that present balanced layers of rich white peach and crunchy grapefruit, subtle complexity of wild barrel fermentation and neatly integrated notes of roast cashew […]
readA graceful triumph for a warm season, and an outstanding Abercrombie that makes its mark not because it is a blockbuster, but quite the contrary, a classic, medium-bodied Western Australian cabernet of intricate refinement. A blend of Mount Barker and Margaret River, there’s loads of complexity wrapped into its folds, with tobacco, cedar, coffee bean, […]
readSome young wines take hours to declare their full greatness, churning and evolving for some time before finding themselves. Others possess such an effortless confidence and elegant balance that their full calibre is apparent in seconds. Even months before its October release, 2013 declares itself as one of the great Clonakillas, thanks to a season […]
readThere is plenty of black fruit intensity and toasty oak wrapped into the folds of this estate-grown shiraz, yet it upholds its cool climate credentials in vibrant acidity and finely textured tannin structure. A real bargain at $13 at Wine Cow and Dan Murphy’s (2010).
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