Rock of Wisdom Superfly Shiraz 2017

Rock of Wisdom wines each come with their own little guidance note, a pearl of wisdom if you like. This is perhaps the only wine in which I disagree with the said guidance note: "This is a wine that will make you want to strut (you know you want to)".

Whilst it's all primary, with a suggestion of funk and yeasty top notes sitting up there, it's also raw -purple in colour, unadorned by little.

Medium bodied, supple and lithe - and that's why I disagree with it's own 'user instruction', for I found it so easy going in nature that I just wanted to settle back with it, enjoy it's company in a casual setting, get to know it a little further.

A little chew of tannin, black fruits in support. It's an open and loose vibe to this wine, offering little resistance as it makes its way down the hatch. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 2nd November, a Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

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Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz 2014

Classic Shiraz here from the Langhorne Creek, offers up a profile that is sure to please. There's oak in the mix, blended up with a cornucopia of red and black fruit. 

The palate reveals a wine at once lavish, chewy and riven with spice. A fine coating of tannin spreads and makes itself at home in the farthest recesses of the mouth.  

Your lasting memory could well be of peppery length and you'll no doubt be congratulating yourself on a good purchase given its sub-20 ask. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 21st November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au

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Chateau Yaldara Retro Collection Shiraz 2015

Offers up a mix of stewed fruits, residual (older) oak and a spade full of dried earth. A latent top, spicier hint leaves a lasting presence. Curious. 

Gentle introduction, given what is quite a substantive wine. Packs a punch with a brown spice core, over a plummy heart. Tannin is fine grained and initially swamped by alcoholic heat before returning on a good length. 88

Tasted on: Tuesday 14th November, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://1847wines.com/

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Rowlee Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Whole-bunch pressed, wild yeast and aged in French oak 30% new for 8 months.

Good citrus punch on this one, segues to a little almond and white peach. Clear cut Chardonnay, if at times a tad mute, aromatically.

Doesn't hold back on the palate where it has good presence and a little grip. More of that citrus lapping things up, cleaning up with a generous line of acid. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 16th November, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rowleewines.com.au/

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Gartelmann Petit Verdot 2014

Small berries meets seasoning and Mudgee choc- fudge mud. Offers a full gamut of aromas, from the fruity top notes down to savoury depths. 

Medium bodied, there's a savoury, leathery, balsamic edge through the middle - not quite in line with the aromatic profile. Ok, passable 87 

Tasted on: Thursday 9th November, a Flower to Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.gartelmann.com.au

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Rymill The Yearling Rosé 2017

Lovely intro that offers a hint of fruit with underlying savoury aspects. There's a suggestion of rhubarb, seasoning by way of cracked Coriander seed. It's attractive, light and approachable. 

More than a savoury mouthful, adroit handling has given a light grip in the mouth, carriage of acid and a savoury herbal element as if to provide some seasoning. Lovely line and spread. All the more remarkable for a $16 proposition. 90  

Tasted on: Monday 30th October, a Root to Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $16
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Shaw Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017

Hints of lime, lime leaf. Background hints that are somewhat more fruitsome: blackcurrant leaf, possibly passionfruit. 

Good punch of flavour and persistence of acid. It's all about the lime and little else. The juice working in tandem to deliver a Refreshing wine - if a little linear. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 28th October, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.shawvineyards.com.au/

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Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Grenache Rosé 2017

As usual, nigh LOL-worthy release notes from Wirra Wirra MD Andrew Kay on how one review from 2016 (I checked, it wasn't mine) called out as Mrs Wigley as a sweet Rosé on the basis of its colour alone. So, to 2017, it's a vibrant colour on pour, reminiscent of something like a blackcurrant cordial. 

Florals and red fruit in abundance. A mix of raspberry, splash of cranberry too. Initial hints of fruit make way for a dry palate, spice and a suggestion of the florals too. For the record, it is dry, and the fruit does perhaps give an association of sweetness. 90  

Tasted on: Saturday 30th September, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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Bridge Road Sentio Chardonnay 2106

Here's an interesting one: a wine, made like a beer, by a brewer, deliberately inoculated with a strain of Brettanomyces.

Pours with a pronounced turbidity, a peach-ish hue. Certainly a funk to the nose, not that which I'd call out as Brett (deliberate innoculation of a particular strain), possibly more of a sweaty cheese thing. 

The palate is interesting, a slight petillance, more like a funky cider. Citrussy with a sharp acidic profile, it is exceptionally dry - but not an altogether unpleasant experience to this palate. 

Not Rated

Tasted on: Tuesday 19th September, a Fruit day
Source: Retail, Saccharomyces
Price: $6.50 (330ml)
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Crown Seal
Website: Bridge Road Brewers

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