Brisbane - A Month of Wine

Brisbane - A Month of Wine

  21:10    Stu.

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One of the reasons I got involved with Swirl, Sniff, Spit was a perceived lack of wine tasting events in Brisbane.  Now, in the coming month of May, there is a fantastic array of events happening - a great month for the weather is getting cooler and vintage is over pretty much over for the majority of Australia's winemaking community.   I though it worthwhile capturing them here,...

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Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

  07:54    Stu.

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You know what to expect as you approach the wine, a rich, mix of damson, plum, cassis and chocolate and subtle nuances of oak.  It had me on first introduction. A wine that is incredibly smooth, it shows no sign of its 15% alcohol, it's a wine that's plush, a...

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Pyramids Road Mourvédre 2010

Pyramids Road Mourvédre 2010

  07:32    Stu.

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Give this a good decant before drinking, just helps bring some of the fruit through and create a more enjoyable Mataro drinking experience.  Initially it's quite a 'woody' wine, get through that and you'll see hallmark notes of dark cherry and plum, supported by...

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Domaine Lucci Pinot Noir 2009

Domaine Lucci Pinot Noir 2009

  07:18    Stu.

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For me, the wines of Domaine Lucci/ Lucy Margaux/ Anton Van Klopper were a star that shone very brightly around the end of 2010/ early 2011, and then faded just as quickly.  I was initially rather taken with the Wines: the Wildman Pinot Noir had me enthralled; the 'Red' (2008 and 2010) fantastic juicy, easy-drinking wines; and the Lucy Margaux single-vineyard wine left me a little hollow, I...

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Prepping for the Good Food and Wine Show

Prepping for the Good Food and Wine Show

  20:22    Stu.

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~ This is a guest post that I did for the Good Food and Wine Show blog.  Fairly basic, it outlines some pointers for folk to get the best out of attending the show.  I drew from experience as both an attendee and also having worked on a stand in 2011. The blog in its original context can be found here. It's that time of year when Winos and Foodies start getting excited about the good...

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A.Retief The Cabernets 2009

A.Retief The Cabernets 2009

  22:16    Stu.

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I initially preferred this wine to the 2008.  On opening the aromatics were much more pronounced, I thought this the wine with the higher percentage of Petit Verdot.   A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) sourced from Gundagai, along with Petit Verdot...

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A.Retief Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Malbec 2008

A.Retief Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Malbec 2008

  22:14    Stu.

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The shy older brother compared to the 2009.  It needed a full day in a decanter for the aromatics to sing - and day two saw a wine much more expressive, perfumed, floral than it first appeared on opening.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Petit...

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Vincent Paris Granit 30 Cornas 2009

Vincent Paris Granit 30 Cornas 2009

  13:03    Stu.

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With Cornas it was love at first sight.  The most southerly of the the main appellations in the Northern Rhone, often the earliest to ripen and pick due to the natural amphitheatre that traps in warmth and protects from the cool Mistral winds. Old leather, wild...

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Triple Shot: Hunter Valley 2010 Chardonnay

Triple Shot: Hunter Valley 2010 Chardonnay

  10:30    Stu.

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Hunter Valley Chardonnay is a bit of an unknown for me, so what better way to learn than to have a look at a few, side-by-side?  When I think of the Hunter I immediately think of Semillon and Shiraz, in whites and reds respectively.  So maybe the variety has some way to go if someone with my elevated levels of thirst wouldn't necessarily associate the region and variety together.  ...

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Thorn-Clarke Quartage 2008

Thorn-Clarke Quartage 2008

  12:53    Stu.

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Inky black in colour providing an indication of what to expect with the mass of black fruit that presents itself.  A fantastic exercise in blending, this wine is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Malbec (24%), Cabernet Franc (18%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Merlot...

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Benjamin Darnault Picpoul de Pinet 2010

Benjamin Darnault Picpoul de Pinet 2010

  10:30    Stu.

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From one of the few French ACs that is varietally named.  The Picpoul-de-Pinet appelation of the Couteaux de Languedoc in France's South-West has experienced a resurgence of late thanks to a new breed of producers and stunners like this. Picpoul, or Piquepoul,...

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Yalumba Y Series Vermentino 2011

Yalumba Y Series Vermentino 2011

  10:30    Stu.

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A variety you're going to increasingly see a lot of - and that's not a bad thing if the examples I have seen are anything to go by.   Fresh, lemony aromatic profile with an extra dimension redolent of fresh white bread.  In the mouth there's zing and...

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Waywood Wines Quattro Vini 2010

Waywood Wines Quattro Vini 2010

  11:10    Stu.

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A blend of Nebbiolo (35%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Sangiovese (25%) and Shiraz (10%).  You can see how the blend works.  In the accompanying notes, the winemaker - Andrew Wood - explains hoe the blend is one tool of the winemaker in trying to achieve an idea,...

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Waywood Wines Cabernet Franc 2009

Waywood Wines Cabernet Franc 2009

  19:33    Stu.

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"Generally the bridesmaid, never the bride" or so winemaker and proprietor Andrew Wood has placed on the  label for this varietal Cabernet Franc.  One of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is earlier ripening than its better known parent, and...

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A.Retief Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2011

A.Retief Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2011

  10:30    Stu.

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There are some women you come across, elfin, delicate, fragile individuals that give you the impression they'll break at the merest suggestion of contact, yet they have this irresistible charm - this allure, this intoxicating, seductive quality that just reels you in. ...

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Hunter Valley Valley New Generation

Hunter Valley Valley New Generation

  17:37    Stu.

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New Generation Hunter Valley The New Generation Hunter Valley crew are hitting the road again for a one month  trip around the Eastern states.  Starting in Melbourne on 19th April, this motley crew - the self-titled “Not Your Usual Suspects Winemakers"...

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Yelland & Papps Devote Shiraz 2009

Yelland & Papps Devote Shiraz 2009

  07:20    Stu.

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From a single vineyard in Greenock, towards the North-East of the Barossa Valley, comes this Shiraz of easy-going drinkability and charm.  The aromatic profile shows a black fruited introduction supported by spicier notes of clove along with muscovado sugar and...

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Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

  16:04    Stu.

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The third red in the current Black Label range (there being a Mataro and Shiraz currently) and a pleasant mix of Eden Valley and Barossa Valley fruit.  Some gentle doh oak on opening - it spends 18 months in a mix of American and French, new and old. There's also...

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Dyson Premium Reserve Clarice Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Dyson Premium Reserve Clarice Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

  15:49    Stu.

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Pretty low-input winemaking here from Alan Dyson.  Showed better over two days, indicating some cellaring potential.  Varietal leaf, bay and bushy aromatics; sweet blackcurrant/ cassis. Medium bodied, the big downside being the heat and alcohol were rather noticeable.  Enjoyable except for that.  88 - Good Source: Sample Price: $22 Alcohol:14.5% Closure:Cork Website: https://www.dysonwines.com Follow...

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