Stockman's Ridge Savagnin 2013

Stockman's Ridge Savagnin 2013

  10:00    Stu.

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Pale green wine of moderate intensity; aromatics of honeydew melon, kiwi fruit and citrus. Buttery, butter-menthols, some semblance of green fruit that carries through, but is held up against a slightly hard back palate. Overall a balanced wine, just a bit terminal. Texture...

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Rusden Black Guts Shiraz 2012

Rusden Black Guts Shiraz 2012

  09:28    Stu.

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An interesting composition, but composed and assured it is. Dry, dusty earth aromatics - baked in the sun, not stewed. A little sweet spice, cinnamon, with a handful of dried grass and herb thrown in for good measure. Full of body, yet trim and light. Not unctuous,...

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2013

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Montepulciano 2013

  10:48    Stu.

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Fresh Mediterranean herb (Thyme, oregano) over a base of fruit. Inviting, appealing - Italianate? Has a little earthen truffle, some woody spice with bright blue-ish fruit writ large across its attractive profile. Medium bodied, rounded, plump - perhaps....

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Yelland and Papps Devote Shiraz Roussanne 2013

Yelland and Papps Devote Shiraz Roussanne 2013

  10:39    Stu.

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Third consecutive vintage of this - somewhat uncommon - blend.  Black fruit by way of blackcurrant, mulberry and a little plummy depth - gives way to a little green leaf and orchard fruit. Suggestion of olive skin, citrus peel - and with time that citrus is more prominent....

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Ridgemill Estate 'Hungry Horse' Monastrell Tempranillo Garnacha 2012

Ridgemill Estate 'Hungry Horse' Monastrell Tempranillo Garnacha 2012

  08:00    Stu.

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A Spanish inspired blend of Monastrell, Tempranillo, Garnacha (1/3rd each)  Opens with some meat and funk, black fruit, some floral lift perhaps; rather, fruits of the forest come to dominate.  Easy going nature about the palate, fresh-as-you-like acidity...

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Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Nero d'Avola 2014

Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Nero d'Avola 2014

  15:03    Stu.

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A bigger, riper manifestation of a variety that is making a name for itself across a few select regions in South Australia. Initially it presents itself as smokey, dusty, a little ash over ripe cherry; the patient will be rewarded, with time it's more about the fruit...

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Yelland & Papps Devote Roussanne 2014

Yelland & Papps Devote Roussanne 2014

  09:13    Stu.

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Fresh! Whack - sensory assault: florals, honey, golden delicious and nashi pear in the mix too. Alcohol down on the 2013: mid-11 here compared to 13% on the previous year. Apparently both picked at the same baumé, around high 11s. Mealy, honeyed, creamy porridge with...

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Rusden Christine's Vineyard Grenache 2012

Rusden Christine's Vineyard Grenache 2012

  12:55    Stu.

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The block the fruit for this wine was drawn from is cited as winemaker Christian Canute's mother's favourite, it doesn't state whether she is Christine. A polarising wine stylistically - a shake of the head from the individual I shared this with confirms this. Herbal,...

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d'Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

d'Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

  12:45    Stu.

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Sweet, fudgey edge - bit of roasted capsicum that veers to the briny touch of olive skin. A cornucopia of black fruit on the palate, sweet edge, perky and pert acid. Structure is good, slightly rough, bit of cranberry-esque red fruit. Brings together regional elements,...

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