Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier 2010

Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier 2010

  14:45    Stu.

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Initially little sign of the Viognier here - indeed it "should be seen and not heard" as someone once told me. Meaty, a little ferrous, florals start to come through with a little time.

Medium bodied, has a juicy, cola-ish feel mixed with delicious berry fruit. Offers up spice with an easy-going, slippery textural feel to it.

Concludes with a savoury edge after the juicy fruits that come before it. 89  

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $21.95
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Rocland Estate Lot 147 Shiraz 2008

Rocland Estate Lot 147 Shiraz 2008

  12:13    Stu.

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Has the slightly porty, leathery, raisined notes of dried out fruit. There's a fair whack of oak lain over the top. Given a little time, it settles itself - takes on a more subtle bent.

Thick, creamy oak, a slightly burnt edge; feels a little hollow in the middle, fleshes out a little with some aniseed, pepper. Again it's rawness on opening settles with time - seems a touch more balanced and altogether more pleasurable.

Finishes well - generous length - consistently comes together with a little time. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 26th November, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Criminal Minds 'Miss Devine' Brut NV

Criminal Minds 'Miss Devine' Brut NV

  12:05    Stu.

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Here we have a happy, bargain, entry-level sparkler that delivers above its pricepoint. Toasty on entry, backed up with some grilled stonefruits, citrus and red berries.

Toasty, bready entry; a little mid-palate sweetness is perfectly positioned against a touch of mineral and cream in the body. Acid provides a little freshness. Lacks the depth you'd get from a wine that spends additional time on lees, but that comes at a cost. For $15 this drinks perfectly well.

The finish sees a little red berry fruit sweetness pulled through. Length is moderate. A certain crowd pleaser. 87

Tasted on: Monday 25th November, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.byrnevineyards.com.au/

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Ferngrove Symbols Sauvignon Semillon 2013

Ferngrove Symbols Sauvignon Semillon 2013

  18:24    Stu.

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Opens a touch sweaty with the presence of aromatic compounds known as 'mercaptans' present (specifically ethanethiol if you wish to get sexy on terminology). Hints of nettle here too - not altogether uncommon in cooler region sauvignon blanc.

The palate shows a light bodied, some freshness present here too: fruit backing up with a little chalky phenolics.

Length offers a little redemption from the aromatic introduction that wasn't quite my cup of tea. 85

Tasted on: Thursday 14th November 2013, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $16.50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ferngrove.com.au

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