Lark Hill Riesling 2014

Lark Hill Riesling 2014

  20:56    Stu.

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From an initially troublesome vintage, winemaker Chris Carpenter has crafted a Riesling of excellent aromatics, texture and energy. It opens full-throttle with an expression of tropical freshness, touches of green mango, green apple and a suggestive note of paw-paw. Nicely...

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Dodgy Brothers Wine Mataro 2013

Dodgy Brothers Wine Mataro 2013

  21:15    Stu.

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"Dodgy brother" Wes Pearson was in Brisbane town recently and was kind enough to co-host Swirl, Sniff, Spit alongside fellow winemaker Rory Lane. This Mataro, from a vineyard down in McLaren Vale's Sellick foothills, was one of the wines we showed that evening. Wes advised...

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Riesling 2014

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Riesling 2014

  08:23    Stu.

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Monday 17th November sees a dedicated cellar door opening for Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy wines in the Adelaide Hills town of Hahndorf. This will be the third cellar door in the Wines by Geoff Hardy portfolio, joining stable-mates K1 Wines (Adelaide Hills) and Pertaringa...

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Gibson Wines - The Dirtman

Gibson Wines - The Dirtman

  08:48    Stu.

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The Good Food and Wine Show hit Brisbane over the weekend of 17-19th October 2014. It's an event that draws many of Australia's wine and food community: its producers, consumers and characters. Rob Gibson of Gibson Wines is one such character, he can be seen in the pic...

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Umberto Luigi Domenico Extra Dry Prosecco

Umberto Luigi Domenico Extra Dry Prosecco

  14:18    Stu.

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Striking packaging here, a Mondo exclusive I believe. The palest hint of gold in glass; of green apples, apple skins and a suggestion of citrus. Don't come looking for complexity, revel in the beauty that simplicity often delivers. Citrus, frangipani, fresh minerality...

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Dodgy Bros. "DODG" Sangiovese 2014

Dodgy Bros. "DODG" Sangiovese 2014

  09:07    Stu.

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Excellent aromatics: vibrant cherry, touch of lipstick, black fruit crumble. The sweet imbued with a savoury edge. Bright, vibrant and juicy - a spike of acid, powdery crunch of tannin. savoury heart, moreish for sure, in many respects it's my favourite of the Dodgy Bros...

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Lark Hill Sangiovese 2013

Lark Hill Sangiovese 2013

  12:30    Stu.

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The winery website suggests this has been made for early drinking and doesn't require extensive cellaring, and whilst I agree with that to a degree - for it is delicious now - it has sufficient fruit and acid to hold its own for at least a short stay, if you choose to...

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Montalto Pinot Noir 2013

Montalto Pinot Noir 2013

  10:05    Stu.

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Interesting to review this in the context of the 2012, which was somewhat belatedly posted. That wine very good, very enjoyable but paling somewhat compared to this younger sibling. Cherry, spice, lavender - moving back to woody spice - an even hand of vanilla scented...

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Montalto Pinot Noir 2012

Montalto Pinot Noir 2012

  09:13    Stu.

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In reviewing the 2013, I established that I'd utterly failed to write up the '12. So remedying that, here's a belated note on that earlier vintage with current release to follow. Generous clear red fruit here, think wild strawberries and maraschino...

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Dodgy Bros Grenache Shiraz Mourvédre 2013

Dodgy Bros Grenache Shiraz Mourvédre 2013

  07:38    Stu.

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The 2013 guise of the Dodgy Bros GSM comes with a different rhythm to its 2012 counterpart. As much to do with vintage, where 2013 McLaren Vale Grenache in my experiences to date seems to be excelling, as it does composition: a 70/18/12 blend of Grenache, Shiraz and [insert...

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Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2013

Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2013

  13:43    Stu.

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Has a vibrancy in glass, a shimmering energy. Cherry, pomegranate/ grenadine, a lovely perfume - florals abound - good level of spice present too. Silken, gossamer threads; spice that creeps up you and holds its line; drying tannin - simply put, a beautiful wine. 93 Tasted...

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Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2012

Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2012

  13:39    Stu.

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In reviewing the 2013 I established that I'd utterly failed to write up the '12. So remedying that, here's a belated note on that earlier vintage with current release to follow. Attractive, delicate nose with prime red fruit sitting forward of a little...

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Shaw and Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013

Shaw and Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013

  08:05    Stu.

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Certainly of its place, with 2013 a riper vintage compared to 2012. Suggestive of a small inclusion of whole bunch, though I couldn't confirm that. Bramble, spice, earthen hints and an underlying caramelised root veg sweetness are all present. Medium bodied, fine-grained...

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Yelland & Papps Vermentino 2014

Yelland & Papps Vermentino 2014

  07:41    Stu.

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Chalky, florals, citrus, a little nashi pear and skins thereof. Citrus, a racy bit of sherbet zip - whoa we've a lively one here lads. Grapefruit acidity, but with a balancing anchor of a little waxy texture. Fresh and fulfilling for a Summer's day. Saw this off with...

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Bremerton Vermentino 2014

Bremerton Vermentino 2014

  07:34    Stu.

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Good to see Langhorne Creek, and Bremerton, adding to the nation's capital when it comes to Vermentino. It's a variety I do enjoy, a variety that has the ability to sculpted in a fashion of its maker's choosing. Citrus, orange blossom and sea spray. Fresh little number...

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Willunga 100 Grenache Rosé 2014

Willunga 100 Grenache Rosé 2014

  07:28    Stu.

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No pale 'n' pink number here, fuchsia hued, red berry sweetness. Touch of boiled lolly with an underlying creaminess. For me, the least appealing of the Grenache tasted from Willunga 100. A little leading berry fruit, then a bitterness with a little phenolic...

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Charteris Wines Hunt Vineyard Riesling 2013

Charteris Wines Hunt Vineyard Riesling 2013

  09:37    Stu.

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PJ Charteris, ex-Brokenwood winemaker, still of the Hunter Valley except when he's popping over the 'dutch' to make exceptional wines such as this. Lovely aromatics: florals, citrus and zest - suggestive of a little chalkiness. Light, loose and open - zesty, lemon with...

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