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Thursday, 20 September 2018

Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2018

I perhaps thought the alcohol level on this had been dropping a little over time, a quick check of the Vinsomniac archives reveals that to not be the case.

The Sommelier's friend, many a case of this has been shifted over a few sessions for those that lunch. And Shaw + Smith seem to get it so right each year, so you can see how it is a perennial fave.

From the off it has an allure, encompassing a tropical spectrum that takes the imbiber to warmer places by way of passionfruit, lime and pithy grapefruit citrus.

The palate sees more of the same somewhat writ large, packing much into its condensed frame. Green apple acidity for length and a little Canteloupe melon for added width. It really is a complete package. Go here. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 20th September
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.shawandsmith.com

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Wirra Wirra Hiding Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Smells like a Sauv Blanc, looks like a Sauv Blanc, heck it even says so on the label.

Aromatics of passionfruit married to squeaky Gooseberry. Has the pithy, grapefruit citrus sitting in the mix too.

Has some zest, verve and swagger about it on the palate. Some zip and phenolics (what we wine bods see as mouth feel, a bit like tannins in reds - if you care?).

Good lasting and penetrating finish. Lingers long with an acidic presence. A great place to be for a lover of the Sav Blanc. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 20th September
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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Tuesday, 18 September 2018

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This is an absolute ripper for its suggested price of $17.

Smelling like conclusion of a great evening on the back deck, that being a wedge of dark chocolate and a fat Cuban for company. Or you could have it in liquid form by way of this classic Aussie red. 

Plum, cassis, hazelnuts in the frame too. The aforementioned chocolate is more than present too. Add in some freshening acidity and at sub-$20 you have an attractive, ready to go drinking proposition from the Heartland team and Langhorne Creek. 90

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Monday, 17 September 2018

Alkoomi White Label Riesling 2018

This wine wasn't showing the greatest from the off. Yes there was a beautiful profile of lime, lemon grass and talcum. Hitting the right aromatic notes from the off. 

But those flavours don't necessarily mesh well on the palate, where it actually seemed somewhat out of sorts. 

A day later it presented well. A good acidic line - it's Riesling - and a sense of citrus based flavour started to take shape. 


It's not a bad wine, just initially seeming somewhat hollow and bereft of what I expect from the brand, which normally over-delivers at the price point. Given the majority of this will be consumer straight from the off, it doesn't show itself best straight away. 86 

Tasted on: Thursday 13th September 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Heartland Directors' Cut Shiraz 2015

A wine very familiar to me from a previous life in the UK, indeed Heartland Wines in general always had a fantastic presence in that great off-licence chain, Oddbins. Until they themselves lost their way a little.

Good deal of oak on show here, all heavily toasted (80% French, 20% American), as nutty as number 45, the incumbent President. Comes across as lavish, powerful and polished. A little time shows Shea's coconut butter - I think you get the picture. 

No relenting on the palate, it's big and bold here too, in line with with everything you see on the nose. Certainly one that wears it heart on both sleeves. 

A lingering finish, substantial in frame and presence. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 7th September
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Sunday, 16 September 2018

Margan Breaking Ground Albarino 2018

Marginally less to offer in 2018, compared to its 2017 guise.

Playful thing, offering up a citrus tinged aroma that just - for me - evokes Mediterranean summers. 

Clean, crisp, good level of acidity given a spine to the wine. About it hangs a semblance of flavour, fine and not over-done, offering more by way of refreshment and satisfaction, than necessarily a profound drinking experience. 


Drink it pretty chilled, was enjoyed round these parts with a chicken and pea risotto. 88 

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Shiraz 2014

Sweet accented fruit sits over the top of a core that can only described as Huntington Estate's Mudgee in a meeting of the minds with the oak that nurtured the wine.

Medium bodied, it's awash with blue-purple fruit, chocolate accented depths and bringing up a fine tannin profile. 

It's silken profile caries a wave of flavour across a length of generosity flecked with spice. 91

Tasted on: Monday 10th September
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Saturday, 15 September 2018

Margan Breaking Ground Albarino 2017

Interesting variety the Albarino - not withstanding its assumed history here in Aus, it's a long story - it is rather better known as a simple quaffer you chill down and seemingly smash with gay abandon.

Anyway: Florals, white pepper, dill thrown in too. Fresh and fragrant 

Minerally tingle meets a textural swathe flowing across the palate. Has a tangy edge, with a hint of citrusy acidity. Hard one to pin down, offering a little of everything with great refreshment factor. 90 

Tasted on: Tuesday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.margan.com.au/

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Heartland Foreign Correspondent Dolcetto Lagrein 2018


Been a while since I've seen this wine. From memory it used to be just named per the constituent varieties. Now it's taken on a fancy new label with an assigned brand name. Looks pretty good for it.

It's a juicy little blend of two varieties of Italian origin (95% Dolcetto, 5% Lagrein).

It's all awash with primary red fruit, supplemented with a little twist of fresh cracked pepper.

More of the pepper on the palate, married to quite fresh and juicy core. Soft, sensuous and rather light and airy palate structure. A gentle hand shown with this. Fresh, a little crunch. 

Recommended guidance is to serve cool (10-12) and I'd go with that. 88 

Tasted on: Friday 7th September
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://heartlandwines.com.au/

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Thursday, 13 September 2018

Alkoomi White Label Cabernet Merlot 2016

Twists of herb meets grilled meat. 

The palate offering up moderate intensity, showing blackcurrant and meeting licorice, chocolate and hints of Plum. 

Graphite tannins, though a little astringent, conclude the wine. Good value for money, though I offer that the Rosé and Riesling in this range offer better value. 87 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th September, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Rymill Cabernet 2015

Classic Cabernet aromatic profile. It's blackcurrant meets cedar and bay. Spot on aromatics that don't necessarily follow through to the palate, where it presents itself as firmer and more robust - drying - with coarser tannins. 


Needs some further time to mellow 89+

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.rymill.com.au/

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Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Ferngrove Orchid Cossack Riesling 2018

Single block wine from Frankland River's Ferngrove.

Initially fresh, fragrant and floral - then shy, and musky, something like dank wood. Gave it an hour, apple blossom, vanilla, bathsalt.

Tangy entry, vibrant and zesty acidity, bathsalt and chalky pucker. It's certainly dry and drying, fair sucking the moisture through your cheeks. 

Shy and retiring for now, positive signs there 91+ 

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $23
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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St Leonard's Wahgunyah Rosé 2018

Made from a blend of Cab Franc (58%) and Cab Sauv (42%) off of the St Leonard's vineyard - owned by All Saints and retained as a distinct brand - in the Rutherglen GI.

Beautiful aromatics present here, Berry in the main sitting square on the nose, supplemented with a little seasoning - just augmenting the wine so. 

It's a type of wine I'd a "back deck wine, something with which to ponder the remainder of a day or evening ahead. 

Crisp and clean, with a delicate softness on entry. It morphs a little, adding so textural width to the clean lines. The spice is exhibited on the finish, again supplementing the Berry elements and delivering a more than satisfactory finish. 92 

Tasted on: Monday 10th September, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 13.4%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.stleonardswine.com.au/

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Tuesday, 11 September 2018

Gartelmann Rylstone Petit Verdot 2015

Off of a vineyard at 660m elevation, clay loam over limestone. Spends 14m in new and older American and French oak

Rich, spiced, a plethora of fruit in the red/purple spectrum married up to fine, powdery tannins. 


Sense of freshness via natural acidity, generous length - unyielding. Latterly it presents elements of dark chocolate, a suggestion of licorice. 

It's substantive, yet I missed (didn't see, not present) what I consider PV's hallmark aromatic attribute: the bright and vibrant perfume. Perhaps more Mudgee, than PV. 88

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 15.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.qwinereviews.com/

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Windowrie Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Shy, reserved, certainly not forthcoming on initial approach. Slowly, as if reticent to do so, it starts to reveal itself. Biscuity oak and dark chocolate.

Deep, rich palate - a riot of deep purple and red fruit. Lacks some definition and finesse, feeling its higher alcohol, though I must state it's not the high octane or boozy that can afflict. 

Fine tannin and spice on a lingering finish. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th September, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.windowrie.com.au/

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Monday, 10 September 2018

Shaw Vineyard Estate Merriman Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Sensuous, mint patty, violets and cassis. Cedary hints in the mix, inviting and seductive 

Soft, supple palate on entry - shifts a gear to something richer, in part fuller - certainly generosity in length and substance. 

It's a mix of sweet accented fruit, oak and the inherent savoury elements of the Cabernet. They're still jostling for position at this early juncture, for it's one for the long haul. An impressive release. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://shawvineyards.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Pinot Noir Dry Rosé 2018

I was unaware of Huntington's history with regards to making pale and dry Rosé. It's the style very much in vogue, De Bortoli wines #RoseRev campaigns of 2010 or so cementing the style in the hearts of many.

To the wine in question, the strawberry and cream aspect familiar to so many Rosé is playing a strong game here. Combined with what might best be described as a toffee-apple element in support, it segues to a palate - dry - and yet brimming with fruit 

It's apparently seems fairly no nonsense, yet behind that initial dry introduction there's a surge and resurgence of acidity, giving drive and vitality. Perfect for getting the swing into things. 90 

Tasted on: Saturday 1st September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Sunday, 9 September 2018

De Bortoli Black Noble Ten Year

Barrel aged Semillon using the Solera system, where the average wine age is approximately ten years.

Has the deep, dark caramel notes of a wine borne of magnificent stocks of barrel aged (solera) reserves. There's softer, rose petal, notes sitting quietly in the background.

Sweet, unctuous, Silken - has more of a roasted (barrel?) quality to it. I paired this with some high quality - Valrhona - chocolate, the sweetness matches the wine beautifully. 92

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $38 (500ml)
Alcohol: 17.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Margan Shiraz 2013

Earthy and meaty, a definite Hunter Shiraz on aroma alone. There's blackcurrant with an element of spice and herb, woody hints. 

Fine, medium bodied, silken early tannins. Elements of licorice, there's white pepper and fresh acidity. Secondary tannin takes on a finer grain towards the latter part of the wine. 91

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.margan.com.au

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Saturday, 8 September 2018

Shaw Vineyard Estate Merlot 2014

Merlot in Australia can show its true colours and intent just on aroma alone, in my less than humble. 

Here: Olive skin, a hint of tobacco and - somewhat unusually - cocoa/coffee grounds. 

Medium bodied, freshening acidity and fine tannin. Well made Merlot, all too rare in Australia - but that position is improving as winemaker's get a handle on the variety and clonal selection gets better. 

Hints of oak reveal a hand. A pleasurable and enjoyable drink 90

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screw
Website: https://shawvineyards.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Semillon 2018

First tasted this some 6-7 weeks back at Huntington's annual winemaker's luncheon. 

Grassy aromatics, tropical fruit hints sit calmly underneath, gently wafting their wares. Citrus, glace pineapple too. 

Straddles a line between fine and textural, has a bit of body, good line of acidity too. Clean and crisp, clipped palate. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 11.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Friday, 7 September 2018

Wirra Wirra Lost Watch Riesling 2018

Ultra-fresh and fragrant, it's all lemon and likes with even a touch of orange peel and bath salt. So perhaps, more generically, it's all citrus. 

It fair sucks the moisture out of your checks, a real pucker of acidity. Carries a gentle phenolic rub, a semblance of texture to add further to the wine's broad appeal. A hint of spice that morphs into a minerally line, fine and long. 92 

Tasted on: Friday 31st August, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.wirrawirra.com

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Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir 2017

Strawberry, a wilder and more savoury edge to things too. Perhaps a hint of rhubarb, with some stalk and woody herb.

Soft, supple, a cleanness and very open palate - particularly compared to the somewhat funkier aromatic greeting. 

Tannins are silken and velvety, cushioned as you roll the wine around the palate. Fresh as you like, good acidity flows and provides a gentle undercurrent of energy just perpetuating the wine so. 

Perhaps not the most most structured of profound of Pinots, the product of a cool and long vintage, but certainly much to enjoy and recommend here 91 

Tasted on: Thursday 30th August, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $47
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap 
Website: www.shawandsmith.com

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Thursday, 6 September 2018

Ferngrove Frankland River Black Label Shiraz 2016

Smokey char meets a Plummy element, combining to offer an attractive profile of a wine that seems to suggest a medium body profile.

And indeed is so with the introduction to the palate. It's silken of body, evidence of some time in oak is present too. Tannins are fine, yet firm - decent structure to boot. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 28th August, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ferngrove.com.au/

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Montalto Merrick's Block Pinot Noir 2016

Deeper aromatics here, than say the prettiness of Main Ridge - indicating a warmer site too. Elements of toastiness combine with the purity of fruit.

Still of the silken threaded body, strands of tannin linking long through the body. Firmer, and deeper of body, charting depths not often seen with Pinot Noir, particularly not in combination with the grace and charm here. 

It also possesses darker spice, riven here on a long dry finish. Quite exemplary. 94 

Tasted on: Monday 27th August, a Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $70
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

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Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Patina Reserve Chardonnay 2015

Initially quite faint, muted aromatics. Yet it offers a full textural experience here, like it has been worked and hard. 

Stonefruit with a custard apple and creme brulee aspect, rich and velvety across the full length of the palate. Opens a little further, starts to feel like a Pinot Gris with some spiced pear elements. 

Length, but not so much by way of definition, quite a full on experience. 90 

Tasted on: Thursday 30th August, a Leaf day 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.patinawines.com.au/

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Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

The 2013 Odyssey was the last that legendary winemaker Wayne Stehbens ("Stebbo") oversaw from start to finish, before his untimely passing in 2017. Vale.

Reserved, more toast and char than what one might expect from Coonawarra Cabernet. 

The body is supple, at odds to what seems a stern and reserved intro, generous - almost creamy - body. Blackcurrant is a dominant character, with firm and quite compact tannin. 

It's certainly something for the long haul, feeling tightly coiled and needing to unfurl. It's length is not denied, just at this present juncture yields to no one. 92+ 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $110
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.katnookestate.com.au

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Monday, 3 September 2018

Morris Classic Liqueur Muscat NV

Toffeed, caramelisation - brandy snaps meets sweeter, floral elements. 

Another great thing about fortifieds is that they hold up extremely well once opened, and indeed thinking about their origins and reputation - as wines that could withstand transportation across vast distances - it's easy to understand why. 

Unctuous, as one expects, layered and with a depth of flavour. Fortifieds are hard to judge, the sweetness can fool a palate, yet work with that as a foil to the sweetness of desserts or simple plain chocolate. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $TBC
Alcohol: 17.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.morriswines.com/

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Huntington Estate Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz 2016

Carries the signature, pun intended, of the Mudgee soils that are at the very heart of the Huntington Estate red wines. 

Deep, rich, has the nutty and vanillin oak profile and wafer-like elements. Rich, silken, almost chewy. The tannin profile is fine, marrying the fruit and deep chocolate notes within. 

There's a latter freshness too, extending the length and reach of the wine. It manages to balance both largesse with a sensual suppleness. Seems good to go now, yet will only appreciate over the long haul. 93 

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $95
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Sunday, 2 September 2018

Riversdale Estate Syrah 2017

Savoury charms flow effortlessly from this wine. Syrah/ Shiraz can be marginal in Tasmania at the best of times, yet Riversdale Estate seem to manage to produce the variety well. 

Freshness by way of acidity offsets against the vegetal savoury notes within. Has more akin to a Rhone Syrah, perhaps a peppery Crozes-Hermitage. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://riversdaleestate.com.au/

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Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2016

A single block wine made from grapes harvested from eleven rows of Chardonnay on Montalto's north-facing slope at its home vineyard site in Red Hill South.

A fine balance between the complexity the winemaker affords Chardonnay, with the exquisite fruit of Montalto's The Eleven.

Citrus, edges of canteloupe melon, stonefruit all waft their gentle song. An exquisite vein of acidity, running long and fine through the middle - about which a generosity hangs, aided by spiced oak elements. 

It packs much into itself: aroma, flavour and presence each contributing their but, playing their part. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://montalto.com.au/

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Saturday, 1 September 2018

Edenflo Old Vine Riesling Gewürztraminer 2018

A harmonious blend of Riesling (67%, 80yo vines) and Gewürztraminer (33%, 20yo old vines) from the Eden Valley.

Faint lime, steely hints, both soon yielding to softer elements of rose hip, florals. 

Has the pucker and presence of the Riesling, softened and rounded out with Gewürztraminer. Well worked, a gentle and chalky phenolic edge adds presence to a generous and tart body. 

Presence, penetration and persistence could be the watchwords here. Lapped this up out of the bottle, yet equally has plenty about it to work well with food. 93  

Tasted on: Saturday 25th August, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $26
Alcohol: 11%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: TBC

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Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Rosé 2018

Mrs Wigley is surely the nation's favourite blush pink kitty! 

She leads with delicate red Berry aromatics, nothing a hundred other Rosés don't - adding a toffee-apple charm over the top, with something like a musky/dusky addition to round out the profile. 

Clean and fresh entry, the faintest of Berry fruit sweetness greeting you on initial taste, before a long draw of acidity pulling the flavours inherent in the wine, long and with a chalky dryness. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 26th August, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.wirrawirra.com/

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