Montalto Estate Pinot Noir 2015

A very attractive floral perfume: rose, hibiscus with deep set black-red fruit: cherry, a little oak seasoning. 

It's silken, smooth, slips across the palate; briary fruit, a semblance of depth, a little sour tang. 

Effortless length, elegance, ease; fantastic Pinosity, sharing an excellent lineage with its vintage predecessor, albeit with an apparent greater of finesse. 94 

Tasted on: Thursday 30th June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: montalto.com.au

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Mitchell Harris Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Slightly herbal, green, touch of mint and bay, the oak is quite stern.

It's medium bodied, the tannin fine and long - fine threads connecting across the palate. Black fruit reveals itself slowly, making its presence known. Feels quite reservedly classy. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 28th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mitchellharris.com.au/

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En Soleil Shiraz by Cape Jaffa 2014

Biodynamic wine, grapes grown by the Koch family and vinified by Anna Hooper.

Red and black fruit medley just hanging in the glass, doing its thing, slowly wafting out. With time, a little dried earth emanates, sweet edged oak in play too. 

Sensuous, seductive, spicy - characterful wine that possesses a fine, powdery tannin structure. There's a little chocolate in the mix - not necessarily something I'd associate with Wrattonbully, and no bad addition. 

Reasonable length - not quite what the palate suggests. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 27th June, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.capejaffawines.com.au/

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Rymill The Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Colour me surprised to see a $15 sticker on this mid-week ripper, I'm not suggesting its a cellar-worthy addition to your purchasing, rather its darn good, easy going drinking and fantastically positioned price wise.

Sweet cassis, a little flaked chocolate, dusty elements in the mix, gum leaf. Fine aromas - of place and variety.

Medium bodied, sweet fruit - blackcurrant in abundance. A modicum of tannin, enough to give it some substance and feel across the palate. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 21st July
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Chafffey Bros Wine Co Evangeline Syrah 2014

From the winery website: "Fermented in a 6 tonne open fermenter with 7 days skin contact and twice daily pump-overs. Matured in shaved, seasoned (two to five year old) french oak hogsheads for 11 months"

"Single Vineyard Eden Valley Syrah from a dry-grown vineyard set on the Drögemüller family’s original Springton orchard." 

Generous morello cherry, red berry aromatics. There's a little black fruit, pure in its manifestation, clean in its representation. 

More of the same on the palate, that fruit presence. It's medium bodied, has a coolness, a freshening acidic presence; structure, exquisite fine grain of tannin. 

Clean, elegant - almost haunting in the way it presents itself. Very memorable. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th June, a Root to Flower day
Source: Taste Eden Valley, Cellar Door
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.chaffeybroswine.com.au/

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Alkoomi Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Cherry like aromas, cedar and bay; good aromatics - with a little mint added In - on show here.

Cool, minty, has a big boned elegance; drying, with long and moderately assertive tannin. Needs a couple of years under its belt to bring some of the elements together, and allow the tannin to settle. 

Has a good line of acidity threaded like a fine seem through the wine, a guide for the development the wine needs just to pull together. Good for at least a ten stretch in the cellar.. 91 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Ministry of Clouds Mataro 2014

Ministry of Clouds are Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, both with lengthy - and illustrious - careers in wine before jacking all that in to go it alone; she the Sales Manager for Woodstock wines also with stints prior at Red+White, he the long-time Sales Manager at Wirra Wirra. Impressive CVs, just wait until you get to taste their wines.

There's almost this briny suggestion, a note of pickles to this wine's intro. Requisite dark fruit sits beneath, deep seated, as if slung back into a favourite comfy chair. 

Fine, medium-full bodied, well structured with minerally fine tannin. Twists of cracked pepper, licorice, bordering on a sour tang toward the back palate. 

Varietal depth, with a lushness, freshness and a "please sir, can I have some" moreishness. Bingo 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 26th June, a leaf day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $40
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ministryofclouds.com.au/

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The Lane Block 1 Cabernet Merlot 2013

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%) and Merlot (13%) - good aromatics on show, tobacco and green olive; oak is on show and a good portion of new it would seem.     

Plenty of cherry and plum on show here. Strikes this lovely balance of vibrant fruit against an elegance. Savoury elements in the mix, good acidic reach. Tannin is fine - drinks very well, would like more structure. 

Reasonable length: cassis, fruits of the forest compote. Decent. 90 

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $39
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.thelane.com.au

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Alkoomi White Label Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014

Black fruit, spice - somewhat mute like its prior vintage brethren. 

More of the same on the palate, black fruit, freshening acid; bitter tannin lets the package down - drying, hard, misses a beat compared to the '13. 

The White Label range offers excellent value consistently, and maybe that's my issue in judging a sub $15 wine that normally sits much higher in value. 86 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Millon Estate The Impressionist Shiraz 2014

Cherry, Mulberry, earthen, gamey - flecks of pepper. 

Smooth, medium bodied - an elegance if you like. Spice, gives depth; possesses a savoury depth - that belies the price point. 

Spice derived length, not the most complex or compelling but it delivers excellently for its proposition. 89 

Tasted on: Sunday 19th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $14.95
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.millonwines.com.au
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Double Header: The Lane Vineyard Block 3 Chardonnay 2014 and 2015

One producer, two wines, consecutive vintages.

2014

Melon, nougat, pistachio.

Lean, clean, hints of cream. Nicely balanced, mid-weight Chardonnay. Uncomplicated, a suggestion of oak influence here - a little barrel ferment action gives some flinty mineral that segues to a nice punch of acid and spice.

Finishes well, good length and textural that washes across the back palate.. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 19th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.55
Closure: Screwcap

2015

White peach, citrus, lemongrass perhaps, warmer and fuller.

Fuller, immediate onset of gingery spice on the fore palate that meanders it way across. Seems bigger than it’s ’14 counterpart, but lacking the depth and penetration of that vintage prior. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 19th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap

Samples courtesy of The Lane Vineyard: https://www.thelane.com.au/

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Alkoomi White Label Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013

A little plum and black olive - not the strongest aromatically. 

Fares better on the palate where cassis and milk chocolate form the backbone of the wine's flavour, providing good carriage. Tannin is a little clunky, a little bitter tea coming through. 

Drinks very well at $15 - paired this with some Moroccan spiced lamb cutlets. Happy days. 88 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Millon Estate The Impressionist 2014 Chardonnay

Doughy oak sitting over stone fruit and citrus.

Tangy citrus, marmalade-esque; spice and a little depth. Fairly balanced palate, if uninspiring - nothing wrong, not putting a step out of place, just treads lightly.

Reasonable finish - good at the price. 86 

Tasted on: Sunday 19th June, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $14.95
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.millonwines.com.au/ranges/

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d'Arenberg The Feral Fox Pinot Noir 2014

Upon arrival in this country, this was one of the wines that turned my eyes to the stocks of wines that I rarely got to see in the UK. Not looking its best on this release mind.

Blackcurrant, cassis like aromas, fairly forward, fruity 

Fairly thin, a little bitterness, racy across the palate; good rub of tannin, flash of acid. Somewhat generic red territory, but it works; lacks varietal character, and at $30 you'd question the value. 87 

Tasted on: Tuesday 14th June, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Tempranillo 2014

Aromatics waft out of the glass: black fruit, spice. Touches of dark chocolate, 70% cocoa - you know. Adds depth to the brightness of perfume. 

Easy going, medium bodied - sure to appeal. No slouch though, fore palate sees easy going fruit make way to refreshing acidity, depth of flavour that then just drives the wine, great length. 

A wine of many parts, simple and easy going, yet with sufficient complexity to see this as more than just a quaffer. An excellent 'playground' release from Dom Torzi. 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 16th June, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/

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Cape Jaffa La Lune Shiraz 2013

Exclusive to winery club members, approximately 200 dozen made.

Ripe, rich, almost porty. Sweet oak, fruits of the forest jam. It settles with some time and air.

More of the same on the palate. Dense, chewy; intensity of flavour here for sure.

Length. There's no denying the quality, if the construct of the parts is somewhat cumbersome and clunky. Give it some time to come together, good for up to a ten stretch. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 12th June, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.capejaffawines.com.au/

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Katnook Estate Founder's Block Shiraz 2015

Plummy - a solid black fruited aroma, little beyond that.

More of the same on the palate: solid, nothing wrong, not a foot out of place. Where you'd want to go for a midweek glass of something approachable. 88 

Tasted on: Monday 13th June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Signature Wines Moscato 2015

Fresh, floral, fragrant; smells sweet, a little of the crushed candies often seen in the variety. 

Actually quite fine on the palate, the sweetness not seen on the palate as the aroma suggests. Yes, it's sweet, not cloying. Mineral, fine. 89 

Tasted on: Saturday 28th May, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.signaturewines.com.au

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Montalto Estate Shiraz 2014

First 'Estate' Shiraz for Montalto: a Single vineyard wine from 'Teurong', it's warmest site. One hundred dozen made. 

Black Cherry and Plummy depths, mulberry, with cracked pepper seasoning. 

Lots going on: persistent pepper and general spice hints; tannin fine and persistent. There's meat and grilled nuts - just something new at each turn. 

Length - and some - continuing a fine run of form for Montalto and the winemaking team under Simon Black. 93 

Tasted on: Sunday 12th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

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Montalto Estate Pennon Hill Pinot Noir 2015

Plenty of love for the Pennon Hill range from Montalto Estate over the years. The Pennon Hill range represents a regional composition and also a philosophy with intent to produce bright and fresh wines.

All about the cherries, kirsch; expressly aromatic as is often the Pennon Hill way - alluring, yet with a depth and semblance of spice. 

A distinct lightness, ethereal - if you like - yet immediately at odds to this comes an intense spice, and a freshening acidity. A wine of opposites, with tannin both firm and fine. 

Length is generous. This is an outstanding release from Montalto and you'd have to suggest it would age gracefully too. 93

Tasted on: Saturday 11th June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: montalto.com.au

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Pertaringa Over the Top Shiraz 2014

Oft well received on these pages over the years (reviews).

Blue/black fruit, toffee-ish fudge notes; savoury notes appear with suggestion of anise.

Sure punch of flavour, with intense, concentrated fruit. It's full, silky with fine powdery tannin. There's a freshening acidity here - provides the vehicle for the tannin to flow across the palate. 

No shortage of length here, black fruit flows endlessly. 92 

Tasted on: Sunday 12th June, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.7%
Closure: DIAM
Website: http://www.winesbygeoffhardy.com.au/

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Windowrie Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2015

Good red berry aromatics, a suggestion of meats, sensitive oak for seasoning. 

Fresh and juicy, albeit with a sour tang about it. No denying the quality of the fruit exuded here - seemingly perpetual length provides that.  It's herbal, packed with flavour and certainly speaks of variety.

As stated, no denying the quality, yet just quite doesn't do it for me on a personal level, however no hesitation in recommending. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 11th June, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps Devote Old Vine Grenache 2014

800 bottles produced. Just great to see Barossa Grenackers recorded at sub-14%. Bravo.

There's this dark, moist, earthen element here - kinda like a fresh bag of potting mix. Add in kirsch - a good pour - dried florals, and season liberally. No doubting the quality. 

Michael Papps has this lightness of hand that he manages to extend to Grenache - an enjoyment of Pinot and Beaujolais no doubt serving well. Squarely medium, a little Russian caravan tea for depth, yet without being over-bearing. 

Good length, great booze. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 10th June, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Chaffey Bros Wine Co Zeit Punkt Riesling 2015

Floral, fragrant, classic lime with hints of jasmine, bath salts.

Lemon, lime, all the citrus; stony mineral, loose and open, approachable. 

Line of energetic acid drives the wine, pulsing across the finish, bringing with it flavour a-plenty. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 4th June, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Taste Eden Valley
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.chaffeybroswine.com.au/

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St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz 2013

Leafy, minty Cabernet over prime red fruit. Aromatic unison of the two components. 

Fairly drying, mint/choc-mint palate; tannin is firm, again drying, seems lacking in fruit suggestive on intro. Long and dry, but lacking in filler for me. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May, a Flower to Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 14.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.sthugo.com/

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Hither & Yon Rosato 2016

This will featuring high on the summer Rosé rotation round these here parts. Kinda comes across as a touch like a Gewurz where the winemaker has applied the bronzing balls. Delightfully pale onion skin in colour, musk and Turkish delight waft out. 

Cool, crisp, before the tropical fruits come on: passionfruit mainly - but there's also this fine, powdery texture that gently coats the cheeks. 

Latterly a touch of citrus rind comes on, immediately freshens the palate and gives a secondary wave of flavour that delivers length. Clever. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 9th July, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au/

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Rusden 'The Chook Shed' Zinfandel 2014

Intense purple fruit, smoke, ash; oak, milk chocolate, oyster sauce.

An initial elegance, afore bold blackcurrant. It's richly spiced, Asian spice, aniseed and leather. Complex, without being over done. Balanced, poise, bold and powerful. 

Finishes well, gorgeous tail of flavour, savoury and fruit. Ying and Yang. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May. a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $49
Alcohol: 
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.rusdenwines.com.au/

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Sassy Pinot Noir 2013

Spice, earth, cherry and wood; medium bodied, good level of juice, if not the keen level of flavour the aromatics suggest. 

Very drinkable - if little to excite. 88 

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.sassywines.com.au

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Stockman's Ridge Rider Shiraz 2014

Savoury, bitter coffee oak, black fruit: blackcurrant, mulberry. 

Light, juicy, a fair twist of the pepper grinder. Tangy citrus acidity. Not the most complete picture - just missing a beat in the middle.  88  

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.stockmansridge.com.au

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Torzi Matthews Vigna Cantina Rosato di Sangiovese 2015

Not the strongest aromatically: suggestive of rose, Turkish delight, savoury hints in the background, of dried leaf matter and wood. 

Cranberry, juniper, gentle acidic crunch, a little grip; delicate, light, gentle in how the flavours meld together. 

Concludes with an earthen, peaty, single-malt style finish. Quite the interest. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May, a Flower to Leaf
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.torzimatthews.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps 'Devote' Greenock Shiraz 2014

Rich, ripe, toasty oak - tastes American at that, with prominent coconut. Black fruit is very prominent: blackcurrant, black cherry.

It's toward the lighter end of where you'd expect Barossan Shiraz. Tastes light, vibrant and juicy - good to see Shiraz at 13.3%. Vibrant, touch of cranberry juice acidity. 

Good length, fresh and bracing, some toastiness augments this. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 25th May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Lino Ramble Tom Bowler Nero d'Avola 2014

Lino Ramble is Andy Coppard and Angela Townsend, both plying their respective trades via day jobs at Kay Bros in McLaren Vale.

Redcurrant jelly - deeper, darker savoury elements, cured meat and a little balsamic - bucolic you might say.

Medium bodied, hoi sin, plum; savoury, Woody - I couldn't escape the aroma of the small square of 90% Lindt Excellence under my nose. Good tannin structure, comes afore a juice laden finish. Good wine. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 26th May: Fruit to Root day
Source: Retail, Cru Bar
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://linoramble.com.au/

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Rob Hall Petit Verdot 2015

Somewhat unusual varietal from the Yarra Valley, as a variety PV is rather expressive and this example is no exception. Pretty, floral top notes, blueberries - sitting over an underlying smokey platform. 

Blue fruit presents itself with aplomb, a little lavender and wild herb. It's fresh - a good line of acidity does that - well structured, with chalky tannin drawing across the palate. Just presents beautifully, a rounded mouthfeel. All class.  93 

Tasted on: Wednesday 25th May, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.robhallwine.com.au/

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Kalleske Zeitgeist Shiraz 2016

noun

1. the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.

Raw, primal, suggestion of black fruit compote; mute.

Juicy, tangy, sweet-sour, even orange citrus. Loose-knit, open, easy going, easy-drinking.

Highly drinkable - though I think there are better in the style 89 

Tasted on: Sunday 5th June, a Flower day
Source: Retail, The Melbourne Hotel
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.kalleske.com/

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Langmeil Mataro 2012

Immediately meaty/gamey, woody, smells deep, dark and dense: the Mataro abyss! 

Mataro's spice, lovely balance against fruit sweetness - of blue fruits, plum and mulberry; good structure, leaves a lasting impression. 

Finishes well: tannin, bold flavour and a lingering palate presence. 92 

Tasted on: Thursday 26th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.langmeilwinery.com.au/

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Yelland & Papps Devote Roussanne 2015

Honey, honeysuckle, vanilla cream; florals and citrus - aromatic complexity, yet subtle, inviting. 

Mid-weight, textured, lemon curd; languidly saunters across the palate: spiced, vanilla - old oak mind - stonefruit and tropical fruit elements. Complex, yet not overdone. It hangs off a good line of acid that terminates with a flinty edge. Good stuff. 93 

Tasted on: Tuesday 24th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://yellandandpapps.com/

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Chapel Hill The Parson Shiraz 2015

Rich, plummy, a little choc-toffee.  

Rich and robust, generous in the mouth. Flaked chocolate, berry compote, suggestion of tannin. Good lingering finish

A little acidic pitch to freshen. Simple, yet of substance. 89

 

Tasted on: Wednesday 24th May, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.chapelhillwine.com.au/

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