Yelland & Papps Divine Shiraz 2009

Yelland & Papps Divine Shiraz 2009

  05:54    Stu.

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Of the Yelland & Papps 'Divine' releases (there's also a Grenache and a Mataro) this is clearly the 'Jock' of the bunch.  Primus inter pares perhaps, but it's the 'biggest' of the bunch, the most straightforward, the leader of the pack - if not the most complex....

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Nepenthe Shiraz 2010

Nepenthe Shiraz 2010

  13:59    Stu.

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Back up the truck folks..... for this is damn good drinking.  Price quoted is a suggested retail price.  You'll likely be able to get this a little cheaper with some savvy shopping. Cracking conditions in 2010, rainfall when needed then some good diurnal...

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Murray Street Vineyard Black Label Shiraz 2010

Murray Street Vineyard Black Label Shiraz 2010

  16:56    Stu.

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The fruit for this wine is picked from a number of sites across the Barossa Valley to create a wine that reflects the different composites found across this much loved region - a good honest 'Barossa' Shiraz. Blackcurrant and plum to the fore with a hint of the oak...

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Yangarra Mourvèdre 2010

Yangarra Mourvèdre 2010

  11:40    Stu.

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Yangarra red wines have this inherent drinkability about them.  That may seem a daft things to say about wine, but what I really mean is: to me they're the wine equivalent of Pringles.  Once I have a glass I cannot stop.  They're not big juice 'n' fruit...

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Bremerton Mourvédre 2007 and 2008

Bremerton Mourvédre 2007 and 2008

  15:51    Stu.

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A fantastic opportunity arose in which I was able to consider two Mourvèdre from consecutive vintages produced by Bremerton Wines of Langhorne Creek. 2007 was the first time the winery had produced a Mourvèdre and I was privileged to speak with winemaker Rebecca Wilson...

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Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Viognier

Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Viognier

  06:06    Stu.

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Murray Street Vineyards winemaker Andrew Seppelt shows a deft hand with the traditional varieties from the Rhone.  Viognier can be a bit of a tricky customer: "hard to grow, perplexing to make" and not something that necessarily shines in warm regions like the Barossa. But...

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Maxime Graillot Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Maxime Graillot Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage 2010

  06:54    Stu.

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A joy to drink and drink you must - one for now, not the cellar.  Proof that good Northern Rhone can be had at a reasonable price.  Needs a good decant first - just to air it out shake off a little reductive note. On the nose a delightful mix of briary fruits...

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Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009

Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2009

  17:44    Stu.

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McLaren Vale Shiraz: pure and simply.  Chocolate, blueberry and raspberry, there's oak - but it's deftly handled rather than dominating - some depth to the aromatic profile too.  For some reason, it also transported me to holidays in Portugal as a teenager,...

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Tempus Two Copper Series Moscato 2011

Tempus Two Copper Series Moscato 2011

  20:53    Stu.

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"It's a celebration, clap, clap, bravo, Lobster and Shrimp, and a glass of Moscato" ~ Trey Songz (apparently) I read this interesting piece about rappers and hip-hop ruining Moscato.  And there was me thinking it was all Cristal... Musk, rose water and lychee on the nose; sweet burst of tropical fruit on the palate - some green apple too.  Lively and refreshing in the mouth. ...

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O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River 2011

O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River 2011

  11:26    Stu.

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Riesling - so undervalued.  This classic Clare Riesling from the Polish Hill River sub-district can be found for around $18; it's mightily fine now, yet will easily reward the patient drinker over 10-20 years. Honeysuckle, lime aromatics, a nod toward the tropical...

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Martin Códax Albariño 2010

Martin Códax Albariño 2010

  11:32    Stu.

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Apparently Albariño is sometimes thought of as “The Wine of the Sea”, in part due to its affinity with seafood, and also due to the moderating affect the Atlantic Ocean has on the vineyards. Four months on lees gives this wine the palate weight and textural feel. ...

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Greenstone Monastrell 2008

Greenstone Monastrell 2008

  18:22    Stu.

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Andrew Graham, of OZ Wine Review fame, commented that Greenstone's use of the 'Spanish' name for the grape variety may be to do with clonal selection.  This example, tasted by the glass, shows real deep seated plum, chocolate, damson/ mulberry; cornucopia of...

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Chapel Hill Foundation Chardonnay 2011

Chapel Hill Foundation Chardonnay 2011

  05:33    Stu.

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Changing a successful formula can represent a big risk for a brand, on one hand it  says: we're not resting on our laurels;  and yet on the other potentially risks alienating a legion of loyal customers. Personally I don't have the history with this particular...

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