Nepenthe Tempranillo 2010

Nepenthe Tempranillo 2010

  21:43    Stu.

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Great aromatics that contrast between bright, perky, perty blueberry and raspberry, with roasted coffee and woody notes.  It's pleasingly aromatic and inviting. Entry shows some good bright acid with a re-emergence of the fruity notes mentioned.  Medium...

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Tempus Two Cabernet Merlot 2010

Tempus Two Cabernet Merlot 2010

  18:45    Stu.

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Distinctive packaging, approachability, showcasing regional and varietal strengths are some of Tempus Two's brand values. This wine is from the 'varietal' series and offers good aromatics from both grape varieties: some good cigar box from the Cabernet and berry fruit...

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Dutschke St Jakobi 2009

Dutschke St Jakobi 2009

  12:26    Stu.

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I was given the opportunity to try this wine by the guys at Barossa HQ, a fantastic online wine room - and similar in concept to the Adelaide Hills Wine Room - where you can engage in live wine and food tastings.  It's all about the conversation and getting...

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BK Wines Nouveau Syrah 2011

BK Wines Nouveau Syrah 2011

  08:23    Stu.

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I'm going to attempt to get two notes up today.  Two wines made by producers I really respect, two wines from different vintages, two single vineyard wines from sites about 30 KMs apart, two wines that are the anti-thesis of each other.  And two wines that I really enjoyed for two very different reasons. This is the first.  A wine not planned, a consequence of the troublesome 2011...

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Majella Riesling 2009

Majella Riesling 2009

  09:24    Stu.

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From a region renowned for its Cabernet comes this pale, pretty, delicate Riesling of breadth and mineral-laden depth. Florals on the nose, some apple blossom aromatics and a faint whiff on some kero.  Entry shows some stony zing! The minerality radiating, providing textural breadth; the finish delicacy again, yet persistently so.  The minerality continues (did I mention...

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Taylor's Jaraman Shiraz 2009

Taylor's Jaraman Shiraz 2009

  12:47    Stu.

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I used to drink a fair bit of Taylor's in the UK - somewhat unknowingly as it was under the Wakefield brand.  Taylor's is one of Australia's First Families of Wine, and its Jaraman label represents those wines made with a cross-regional composition.  This being...

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Two Sisters Pinot Noir 2006

Two Sisters Pinot Noir 2006

  08:35    Stu.

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Opened this for the Rugby World Cup Final - it was the only Kiwi wine in the house - and it proved rather an apt  metaphor for the All Blacks that night. Whilst, ultimately, the wine delivered, it lacked the finesse and fluidity of some of its peers. Solid,...

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Pattes Loup Chablis 2009

Pattes Loup Chablis 2009

  16:33    Stu.

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This is how I expect French organic growers and wine-producers to look.  Especially ones that oversee a label called Pattes Loup (Wolf's Paw). It was on the basis of this gentleman's photo that I wanted to buy the wine - that it was talked up by the...

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Semillon Tasting

Semillon Tasting

  08:11    Stu.

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A tasting group I am involved with - Swirl, Sniff, Spit - organised a Semillon tasting that sought to demonstrate the diversity of styles that can be found with the Semillon grape. Brief tasting notes that follow represent the range of wines shown on the night.  Bracket 1 - Sparkling Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NV Ripe, citrus fresh, easy going ability to drink now.  Good aromatics,...

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Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2011

Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2011

  21:09    Stu.

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Patrick Haddock may think he pioneered the marketing slogans for Hahndorf Hill releases, but those 60s folksters Simon & Garfunkel were singing the virtues of Grüner Veltliner before Mr Pom was even drinking from a bottle! "Slow down, you move too fast,  you've...

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The Colonial Estate Emissaire Reserve Riesling 2008

The Colonial Estate Emissaire Reserve Riesling 2008

  10:18    Stu.

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This is good shit. A little backstory: The Colonial Estate had/has holdings across Australia, the US and in Bordeaux.  Despite some good reviews (this received 95 points from Lord Halliday of the Wine Companion) the general consensus was that high RRPs on the...

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Jean-Luc Colombo Les Gravières 2008 Crozes-Hermitage

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Gravières 2008 Crozes-Hermitage

  13:06    Stu.

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UK scribe Jamie Goode has produced an excellent series of blog posts on the Northern Rhone, it was post #4 that brought this wine to my attention. Jean-Luc Colombo apparently has a reputation for aversion to change in the wines he makes in Cornas, yet he's a somewhat...

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A Spot of Solo Dining

A Spot of Solo Dining

  10:18    Stu.

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A blog post by friend Keira McIntosh - The Super Taster - on solo dining, inspired me to have a decent meal out whilst up in Townsville on a short business trip.  My host for the evening was Salt Cellar, self-billed as "Palmer Street's premier wine bar and restaurant"...

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Best's Great Western Bin 1 Shiraz 2010

Best's Great Western Bin 1 Shiraz 2010

  07:32    Stu.

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There are some wineries operating today that are a living connection to the origins of the Australian wine industry.  Founded in 1866 and stronger than ever, Best's Bin 1 is the entry level Shiraz, an excellent introduction to the winery and regional style. Hallmark...

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McLean's Farmgate Shiraz Cabernet 2003

McLean's Farmgate Shiraz Cabernet 2003

  12:27    Stu.

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"Big" Bob McLean was made a Baron of the Barossa in 2011 and I've heard it told that he had been offered inclusion previously, but such is the mark of the man, he didn't feel that his inclusion was worthy. From those who know, I get the impression that a little bit...

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Rymill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Rymill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

  15:48    Stu.

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I like it when someone has done the hard work of cellaring a wine for you, and what a little beaut this one is.  Struck me as Bordeaux-esque, now I'm not prone to comparing other (particularly old world) regions to those in Australia, but this did strike me as more...

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Shiraz Viognier 2008

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Shiraz Viognier 2008

  14:40    Stu.

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There's gold in them hills and K1 winery by Geoff Hardy turns out some liquid gems.  This, a Shiraz Viognier, showing the lifted aromatics of the Viognier in the foreground with some background 'meat', pepper and earth. It's smooth and silken on entry before...

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Vinteloper Pinot Gris 2010

Vinteloper Pinot Gris 2010

  13:32    Stu.

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With just 65 cases made, it comes as no surprise that this wine is now sadly sold out ex-winery.  Vinteloper is David Bowley, a gent I consider a mate, a winemaker I consider a great talent - as his recent nomination for the Young Gun of Wine testifies. I first...

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