Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc 2014

Ah Chenin Blanc. When executed well it can be a heavenly nectar. But all too often it can seem over extracted, lots of estery characters. Fortunately here, Voyager Estate have set out to deliberately make this example in an earlier drinking, softer, approachable style. 

Per that guidance, it carries clear hints of tropical fruit, stonefruit, bath salts; the palate fresh, lightly textured, fruity - fruit sweetness balanced against unforced acidity. 

Perfect cleansing style, at 20 yams a great way to start to an afternoon. For me, a welcome addition on a sultry, stormy Brisbane afternoon. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 29th November: Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.voyagerestate.com.au/

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Cook's Lot 'Lot 333' Riesling 2015

On song, as good as I've seen it, a stellar release from Duncan Cook down in Orange.

A fine, floral feast on display here: magnolia, white florals, vanilla and slight musky tones.

Suggestive of a little leading spritz, an awakening that delivers a fresh, zippy, zesty experience - citrus cut and thrust all the way.

Good length, eager to please - yes, the best I have seen it look personally. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Lark Hill Viognier 2015

Winemaker Chris Carpenter has a firm hand on the tiller of this engimatic variety. Not easy to get right, here Carpenter has picked a little early to retain some acidity with sacrificing trademark stonefruit and spice.

You can almost imagine biting into the delicate, fuzzy, softness of a barely ripe Apricot as you lower the olfactory organ into this one.

Like its stonefruit counterpart, it's fleshy; the initial introduction shows a wine of textural substance, segueing to experience enhancing ground ginger. There's a little grip and acidic tingle on the back palate. It's one you want to judge the temperature right with, a 'Goldilocks' - not too cold, not too warm. Excellent wine. 92

Tasted on: Wednesday 25th November, a Fruit transitioning to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwinery.com/

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Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2014

Represents as something akin to a Chardonnay/ Sauvignon Blanc hybrid, with green tropicals, gooseberry and a touch of tangy citrus.

Carries that acidity well into the palate, balanced against what shows as a little mid-palate sweetness.

From a personal preference, it's not one for me, but doesn't disgrace itself. 86

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $13.95
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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Daosa Blanc de Blanc 2011

A lively effervescence: persistence of bead, yeasty autolysis top notes, complexity from 51 months on lees.

Citrus tang, a swathe of acid cutting a minerally line - yet softened sufficiently from time both sur lie and bois. A little biscuit depth, persistent acid. Glorious length, a fine tail. 93

Tasted on: Friday 4th September, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 11.9%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://daosa.com.au/

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Kalleske Plenarius Viognier 2014

Honey, apricot, ginger - intoxicating, alluring - not least that russety, amber colour from spending some an extended maceration period on its grape skins.

Full on, for what is ostensibly a white wine, bristling and humming with flavour, great phenolics and trim acid.

Dry, juicy with a little tang - a wine that has you yearning for more for sure. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 31st August, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.kalleske.com/

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Lark Hill Riesling 2015

Green apple, pithy citrus/sherbet character; suggestive tropical fruit notes (not as prominent as prior - cooler - vintage).

Crunchy acid, citrus flourishes more akin to lime, a little honeyed note perhaps (golden delicious oxidative hint). Good length, not just a line merchant, has a little swing and seam to the armoury too. 

Sustained flavour reaching into the farthest recesses of the palate, a memory of what came before and a reminder to reach for the glass again. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 10th November, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.larkhillwinery.com/

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Zonin Prosecco NV

I've purchased this Prosecco before - a very cost effective input into a home made Aperol Spritz - so I was quite happy to receive a bottle for review.

It's a Woolworths exclusive (the Pinnacle Liquor reference a dead giveaway) so you'll only find it in the likes of BWS. At $11 it's not the most complex of its style, but is a great afternoon refresher, a gateway to the evening, or - as I've indicated - perfect for an Aperol Spritz.

Opens with pear drop aromatics, citrus and a little almond grove. It's a fresh little Prosecco made from the Glera grape in Italy's North East.

In the mouth: full, moussey, the congregation of bubbles joining en masse to provide a substantive experience. There's more pear and citrus present here and the finish, whilst dry, carries a little fruit sweetness for refreshment. An effective summer cleanser. 87

Tasted on: Sunday 1st November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $10.99
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.zoninprosecco.com/

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