Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco NV

Lemon, quince, florals - frangipani perhaps - with a suggestion of autolysis derived character.

In the glass, it's bead is gentle - ultra-fine; a mere suggestion of complexity. On opening its lively, settling down in glass and actually is better for it. For me, a delightful sparkler at the price. 89

Tasted on: Sunday 26th January, a Flower transitioning to Leaf Day 
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $22
Alcohol: 10.5%
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: http://www.dalzotto.com.au/

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Chalmers Heathcote Vermentino 2011

The Chalmers family have been producing wines from varieties such as Vermentino before they were collectively and conveniently labelled as alternative. Solid wines, often available with some age on them and without charging the earth.

Opens with lemon, chalky, touch of sea-spray freshness. Hints of Summer florals backing up.

Palates shows chalky texture, slightly 'fluffy', saline fresh. Hints of cool stone present too. My recommendation is to drink cold, in plentiful supply. I paired this up on a warm Sunday avo with some wild caught prawns and a little lime aioli (or garlic mayonnaise if you prefer). 91

Tasted on: Sunday 29th December, a Flower Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.chalmerswine.com.au

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Cake Wines YWMS Shiraz 2011

It was the second time of tasting this wine for me. Opens with a natural-ish feel: open, vibrant, with dark brambly fruit betwixt a touch of hedgerow. In fact , it actually smells a little cakey - my term for the skins and such that's left behind after pressing off post-fermentation.

Medium bodied, nicely textured - silken and threaded with powdery tannin, segueing to a finish of good length, earthen spice and a touch of licorice. 89

Tasted on: Monday 23rd December, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: ?
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.cakewines.com

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Bakkheia 'Cajones Muy Grande' Rose 2013

Image stolen from a lawyer
- thanks Grape Observer

'Cajones Muy Grande' translates as "very big drawers" - unsure if this relates to the colloquial word for knickers, or is a reference to where one may keep one's smalls.

Strawberry, raspberry - sweeter accents - boiled lolly, slightly syrupy - like hibiscus flowers in syrup.

A little depth on the palate, red berry fruit is moderately present. Length is acceptable - fails to inspire. Chilled on a hot day it would refresh. 85

Tasted on: Monday 23rd December, a Fruit Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $14
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.bakkheia.com.au

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The Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc 2013

I saw another review of this wine that had me chuckling along at references to some of the marketing 'spin' that accompanied the press release.

That aside, as a wine, it's of interest. I was inclined to remark whilst tasting: "think you know NZ Sauvignon Blanc?". Opens with familiar gooseberry and herbal wafts supported with tropical fruit. Possesses a milkiness, a creamy herbiness - inclined to suggest sage - with suggestions of cornichon.

The palate shows hints of flinty and smoke with a palate structure that does build a little. Textural nuances before fading away. Little real length to speak of. It was a wine I enjoyed - yes as a point of difference perhaps. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd December, a Fruit Day
Source: Sample
Price: $?
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: http://www.andco.co.nz/

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Teusner The Dog Strangler Mataro 2011

The 2012 is available now of course - such is life.

Opens with molasses, coffee essence, old wood - dark and savoury, yet with a ripeness - earthen, spicy and a touch gamey.

The palate shows a wine of substance: savoury with supporting blue/black fruit at its heart. Quite a lot going on here, spice and white pepper, dutch licorice and dry earth. Tannin is chalky, acid crunchy. Enjoyed muchly - I often enjoy strangling the dog. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.teusner.com.au/

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Rocland Chocolate Box Mataro 2012

Opens with the dense, dark cherry familiar to the variety, backed up with a blueberry before a savoury edge of leather and earth forms.

The palate is a little thin, entry shows a touch of licorice - beyond that it's a little raisined with little substance to back it up. Little length to speak of. Showed better with food. 86

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com

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Eden Road "The Long Road" Shiraz 2012

Sees 15% whole bunch and is made mostly from Gundagai (great word isn't it?) fruit. Opens with brown spice, hints of charred meat with background florals.

There's a little blackcurrant pastille and a smokiness - akin to liquid smoke for the BBQ - and again beyond that there's a little vanilla oak. Multi-faceted and complex is perhaps how one would describe it.

Medium bodied, violets and a delightful mix of black fruit, dark florals enhanced with a sprinkling of spice. Finishes with vibrant acid and a little rub of tannin. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 19th December, a Flower Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://edenroadwines.com.au/

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Rocland Duck Duck Goose Shiraz 2012

Opens with the polish and gloss of oak; plummy with black cherry liquer aromatics.

Full, big fruit and oak character - would surely be a winner with the crowd. Clearly a drink now proposition - minimal tannin. Concludes with a touch of chocolate providing a moderate sustain. All up an easy drinking, balanced proposition. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th December, a Root transitioning to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: %14
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.roclandestate.com/

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Ladybird Red Blend 2012

A wine made by distributor Pete Rogers of Naked Bunch Wines. It was described to me by the chap in the retail store as: "Pete's answer to 1000 Candles". It's mix of Shiraz and Mataro with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc. 

When tasting it, I remarked that it reminded me of one of Tom Shobbrook's wines - and indeed that is where Pete made it.

Juicy, touch of pastille and hedgerow - has that natural vibe to it. Obvious refrain from oak, approachable with savoury undertow, and given time greater perfume becomes apparent.

Possesses a vibrancy, slightly spritzy and juicy loose-knit feel. Yet again the palate shows a savoury edge, an almost ferrous and earthen feel. Curious mix of pitched acidity with a gentle coat of tannin. 

Length is acid derived. All up its very much in the vibrant, juicy, minimalist guise - which you'd have to enjoy. 88

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th December, a Root transitioning to Flower day
Source: Retail, Spiros Paddington
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.nakedbunch.com.au/

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Stargazer Derwent Riesling 2013

Stargazer, from Sam Connew former winemaker at both Wirra Wirra and the Hunter's Tower Estate.

Stargazer pays tribute to Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, and as Sam puts it: "is about stopping every now and then to look upwards towards the heavens".

Wild fermented with some time on lees, the resultant wine resplendent of apple, lemon and bath salts - delicate and very approachable. Time in glass yields more, a little honeysuckle/ citrus.

Entry shows a mineral tingle, the residual sugar here (8g/l) provides additional feel and presence, lovingly pitched up against the acids present in this cool climate Riesling - a harmonious balance of the two. A secondary presence in the mouth shows additional texture, a gentle phenolic caress. An exquisite wine of delicacy, finesse and balance. 93

Tasted on: Tuesday 24th December, a Fruit Day 
Source: Retail, Craft
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://stargazerwine.com.au/

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Andrew Seppelt Wines Esparté 2012

Andrew Seppelt, winemaker at Murray Street Vineyards, also releases wines under his own label.

He's a bloke I admire - and yes, a bloke I call a mate - with a fondness for that Barossa stalwart: Mataro. 

He, in 2000, as the world had its eye on the Olympic gravy train and Sydney, in his own words: "snuck out the back door with Vanessa and worked in Provence for a while. I fell in love with the styles of wine made from Mataro and the way the flavours worked with such an array of different food styles."

Here, the Mataro - under one of its many synonyms Esparté - has been guided to produce a white wine, minimal skin contact - enough to leach a little golden colour. Fresh, floral - possesses a sense of honeyed tropics, passing more than a resemblance to its white rhone cousins - with a little lanolin and almond skin. 

It's a textural number - and that's where its strength lies - nicely weighted, a pinch of phenolics - spice flowing through on the palate. Generous length, not lacking there, backed up with a little citrus/ tangerine flavour and refreshing acidity. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 21st December, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.andrewseppelt.com/

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Meerea Park Hell Hole Shiraz 2011

'Hell Hole', taken from the Hungarian translation for pokol, as in Pokolbin, a reference to the temperatures that seasonally vary from freezing in Winter to nudging high 40s in Summer.

To the wine: powerful, concentrated - depth of fruit rather than hot climate extraction. In possession of a savoury mien: leafy, touches of herb, plum - moving toward the darker fruit spectrum.

Savoury oak on entry, that concentration here again - flavour this time - yet with a subtlety, guile. Oak presents itself, now with a creamy touch, before fruit winds its way back across the palate - dark, charry, chocolate tinged body. Immaculate body and balance - yet coiled, needs time to unfurl. Impressive. 94

Tasted on: Thursday 12th December, a Leaf transitioning to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.meereapark.com.au/

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Meerea Park XYZ Shiraz 2011

First tasted the 2010 instance of this wine about, this 2011 incarnation sees a touch more whole bunch - although I am unable to confirm the exact percentage.

Full of black/ red brambly fruits against a juxtaposition of sweet earthen notes and a touch of spicy stem and oak. 

The body somewhat at odds with the aromatics: firmer, veering towards a licorice and root bitterness. Tannin is drying, powdery and with time softens a little, pulling fruit through. Finishes with good length, but wasn't quite cohesive for me. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 12th December, Leaf Transitioning to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.meereapark.com.au/

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Out of Step Wine Co. Lusatia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Dave Chatfield and Nathan Reeves, two mates who work their day jobs for some pretty high profile Yarra wineries (Oakridge and Sticks respectively) have a little side project going under the Out of Step Wine Co label.

This 2013 SB - their second release I believe - is on the money. Fresh herb, asparagus, the faintest hint of tropical fruit peaking its nose around the corner. It has a subtlety to it - a good thing - and an allure, a prettiness that yields a little more as you go back to it.

Sees a touch of lime and fresh herb flowing onto the palate. Good balance, deftly treading a line without putting a foot out of place. Tasty to boot - of the three SBs I opened and tasted, this was the one I went back to - with a touch of texture for interest. Smart. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 8th September, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.outofstepwineco.com

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Ferngrove Frankland River Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Tasted in a small bracket of Sauvignon Blanc one Saturday afternoon. Shows hints of tropicals (passionfruit/ guava) on initial introduction - smells fleshy, quite pleasing.

On the palate it follows suit: textural, fuller - the flesh of mango accompanied with the zip of citrus acidity. Moderate in length, rather its defined by the palate and shape. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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Mawson's Cape Denison Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Attractively packaged new release from the Hill Smith Family Vineyards. Hints of nettle, herb  - touch bitter and astringent. 

Redeemed a little with some chalky texture. Little by way of excitement to get the heart racing. It's not a 'bad' wine, I see it as in balance - just lacking in 'wow'. 84

Tasted on: Saturday 8th February, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15.95
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://hsfv.com/

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Montalto Hawkins Hill Chardonnay 2012

The Montalto Single Vineyard wines are the sort that would apply to Chardonnay lovers, for their quality, along with wine nerds - like myself - for the detail provided on the reverse label.

The Montalto 'Hawkins Hill' Chardonnay comes off a vineyard sitting at around 120 metres, a single clone - the regionally prominent P58, one of the earliest clones to be promoted around Australia - sitting on red clay loam; a fertile mix of sand, clay and silt. Compared to 'The Eleven', the vineyard has a marginally different aspect, a little more elevation (only 20 metres, but that can mean a difference by up to a week in picking time).

Smells like it comes from a warmer place - alcohol levels are up to match too, with 13.3% stated - stonefruit, a little leesy funkiness and spicy toastiness. 

The palate is a touch fuller/ weightier than 'The Eleven', has a bit more width about it. To mee, seemed a touch nuttier, a raw element - hints of green tropicals here. Good length, more derived from flavour than the acid of 'The Eleven'. For what it's worth, same score 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd January, a Leaf Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2012

The Montalto Single Vineyard wines are the sort that would apply to Chardonnay lovers, for their quality, along with wine nerds - like myself - for the detail provided on the reverse label.

The Montalto 'The Eleven' Chardonnay comes off a vineyard sitting at around 100 metres, a single clone - the regionally prominent P58, one of the earliest clones to be promoted around Australia - sitting on red clay loam; a fertile mix of sand, clay and silt. 

Has a cool-ish feel to the wine, with hints of lime and a creamy honeyed spice to the mix. Clean and fresh with a mealy, creamy core.

Tight, minerally with good acid - packing zesty, punch citrus freshness. For all that though, it has a grace about it, a line and length wine that barely puts a foot out of place. 93 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd January, a Leaf Day 

Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Montalto Estate Chardonnay 2012

Montalto's Estate Chardonnay (the Estate compromises some 50 Acres of vineyard) possesses a mix of fresh aromas from the go. Melon, stonefruit and citrus are all offered up to entice the drinker.

Bickfords lime flows onto the palate, hints of toastiness and stony mineral and lime brulee mesh well with the fruit flavour to create a very attractive drinking proposition. Good acid, all up a wonderfully balanced drinking proposition. 91

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th December, a Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://montalto.com.au/

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Eden Road The Long Road Chardonnay 2012

Exquisite Chardonnay here from the Eden Road team of Nick Spencer and Hamish Young.

Aromatic complexity on first approach: flinty, grilled stonefruit - all overlaid with with a mix of florals and creamy hints. Entry shows a wine with a stoney, mineral edge; the wine has a focus that builds - racy and lively - it creates interest and length.

Finishes long and clean, gradually slowing to a memorable conclusion. Excellent example of modern Chardonnay, reaffirms Tumbarumba's suitability to the variety. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th December, a Leaf Day
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://edenroadwines.com.au

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Lark Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

Golden/ honeyed, florals; a little creamed celeriac and spice - good rooty veg is what I look for in good GV. Rich, full, white pepper here with a tickle of acid. Minerality is good, adds a dimension to the wine, growing in stature, adding volume, spice and weight. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwine.com.au/

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Hahndorf Hill Grüner Veltliner 2013

Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

Florals, a creaminess, hints of root veg from the crisper, flecks of white pepper offer themselves up. Clean and crisp, lovely acid and texture. 

Drying with a lovely chalky feel through the back end. Offering good length. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au/

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Grüner Veltliner 2013

Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

The second of two Grüner from the K1/ Geoff Hardy camp. This, the fuller of the two in style, was picked two weeks later than the K1 example. The resultant wine showing riper fruit and a fuller textural palate.

Smells richer than its stable-mate: a honey glaze to a little root veg, some background tropicals with a suggestion of golden toasted breadcrumb.

Lacks a little in the middle - comparatively - pulling a little flavour through. It's more about feel and texture here, providing a fuller feel and creaminess in the mouth. 87

Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.handcraftedbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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K1 by the Hardys Grüner Veltliner 2013

Tasted in a bracket of Australian Grüner Veltliner from the 2013 vintage, with food (schnitzel, creamy potatoes and sauerkraut - in the hope of tasting something appropriate to the origin of the variety).

The first of two Grüner from the K1/ Geoff Hardy camp. This, the lighter of the two in style, was picked two weeks earlier than that from the Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy label. The resultant wine showing a little more fruit and a cleaner, leaner style.

Opens with a little root veg - parsnip - in the mix with white florals, hints of pear and under-ripe apple. The palate shows a clean wine, inoffensive and unobtrusive. A nice clip of acid augments some length through to the finish.

The aromatics flow through on to the palate. 89
Tasted on: Saturday 7th December, a Root Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.k1.com.au/

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Alkoomi Frankland River Shiraz Viognier 2011

The Viognier here is pretty evident, with a vibrant purple rim and aromatic 'prettiness' - stonefruit, florals and blossom. Many may find it distracting.

Look beyond it to find a cool Syrah, a little meat, smokiness and touch of almond. Entry shows a wine with a graphite quality, with tannin that is ultra-fine. There's a gentle depth to the wine - if that's not an oxymoron.

Savoury rather than fruity, more about subtlety, guile, the minerality hooking you in. Subtle persistence on the finish, wonderful balance, structure. 91

Tasted on: Monday 2nd December, a Flower transitioning to Leaf Day 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Notes from Swirl Sniff Spit's 'Australian Small Winemakers Show Tasting'

Brisbane wine tasting group Swirl Sniff Spit (disclosure: in case you aren't aware, I am one part of the duo that facilitates the Swirl Sniff Spit tastings) was joined by Queensland Winemaker Andy Williams to taste through some Queensland wines from the recent Australian Small Winemakers Show, where Andy was Chairman of Judges.

There was no singular purpose to the tasting, in part we were looking at a mix of wines from emerging grape varieties, in part it was looking at wines from the Granite Belt region; there was some discussion/ raising awareness of the ASWS, along with insight into the wine show system. 

Attendees were introduced to each wine, the typical characteristics of the variety in question and were then invited to smell and taste the wines before reaching their own conclusion as to the medal-worthiness (or otherwise) of the wine in question.

Notes below are my own from the night, with my own 'score' along with the actual score achieved at the show. I wanted to get this up - even though it was some three months ago - as I enjoyed the exercise. Yes, it is about me.

Bracket 1 - Unwooded Whites
Robert Channon Pinot Gris 2013: apple, florals - good aroma; subtle texture, acid - finishing with good texture, phenolics, length. My Score: 17.5/Silver; Actual: 15.5/15/16 Bronze

Robert Channon Verdelho 2013: Estery with good tropicals; clean and crisp - good acids with good balance. Length moderate, texture, finishes well. My Score: 16.5/Bronze; Actual: 15/15/16.5 Bronze

Bracket 2 - Oaked Whites
Mason Chardonnay 2012: Struck match complexity, creamy oak and citrus; fuller palate weight with mineral 'zing, full flavour; textural with good length. My Score: 17.5/Silver Actual: 18.5/18.5/18.5 Gold

Ballandean Viognier 2013: Good varietal aromatics on offer, shows some partial barrel ferment character with hints of ginger/ spice; good length - spice derived. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 16/14.5/16 Bronze

Whiskey Gully Colombard 2012: Stone and pine nut; hard acid on the palate which is a touch flat. Little phenolic pinch on the back. My Score: DNS Actual: 15.5/15.5/15.5 Bronze 

Bracket 3 - Tempranillo
Moonrise Estate 2013: Bright, vibrant with blue/red fruits - clearly in the Joven style. Juicy palate, a little tannin but primarily about the fruit. My Score: 15.5/Bronze Actual: 16/14/16.5 Bronze

Banca Ridge 2011: Oak, chocolate/coffee with hints of background fruit; Tannin early - fine grained. Presents a little bitterness at the back end. My Score: 14.5/No Medal Actual: 15/15.5.16.5 Bronze

Bracket 4 - Red Bracket 1
Ridgemill Merlot 2012: Oak, cedar and tapenade. Palate shows as a mix of juicy, spicy with fine dusty tannin. Fruit shows through on the finish with quality and persistence. My Score: 17/Bronze Actual: 17.5/16.5/18.5 Silver

Ridgemill Jacquez 2012: Savoury, woody aromatics. Medium bodied, spicy. Tannin a curious combination of fine, yet chewy. My Score: 15.5/Bronze Actual: 16/17/15 Bronze

Preston Peak Sagrantino 2011: Savoury hints; palate shows red berry, black pepper- grainy tannin, concluding with a savoury tail. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 16.5/16.5/16.5

Bracket 5 - Red Bracket 2
Pyramids Road Shiraz 2012: Fruit driven, medium bodied and juicy. My Score: 16/Bronze Actual: 17/16.5.18.5 Gold

Ballandean Saperavi 2012: Good fruit presence, supporting oak; generosity of spice, ripe tannins. Fine grained tannin, spice with excellent length - persistent. My Score: 18/Silver Actual: 17/18.5/16.5 Silver

Tasted on: Tuesday 19th November
Source: Swirl Sniff Spit
Price: $Free
Alcohol: 5 Brackets
Closure: About 10pm
Website: http://www.asws.com.au

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2012

I've been re-reading Alice Feiring's 'Naked Wine', in which she mentions that: "Vins de Soifare thirst quenchers, and some of us feel that the leave terroir behind...". There's room for both the thirst quenchers, and those wines of place, a point Ms Feiring does concede. I think we - whoever we are - often get too hung up on certain philosophical points, just see this wine for what it is...bloody smashable.

A blend of 65% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 5% Shiraz & 3% Carignan, deepish garnet in hue. Initially meaty on opening, dissipates to reveal a mash of brambly black forest fruits.

Posesses that easy going, juicy vibrancy - acid is a little perky, adds to freshness. Shows a touch of citrus on the back end - hauls you back in for more. Shows the faintest rub of tannin, of moderate length, but ticks the 'soif' box in a big way. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 30th November, a Flower Day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com

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