Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Shiraz 2017

Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Shiraz 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Back in the (very) early days of this blog, the wines of Moppity Vineyard - to this day owned and operated by Jason and Alicia Brown - were some of the first reviewed. Brand awareness off the back of an active social media presence, when Twitter was a vibrant hive of the...

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Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

  21:55    Stu.

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William Hunt Shiraz from the Pirate Cru. To get a true feel for a wine and its metier, meet the maker. I must have had the pleasure of knowing Dirk and Jen from the Cru for something approaching 8-9 years now, yet they continually surprise! Here a deep and Dark Barossan...

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Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2015

Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2015

  16:30    Stu.

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A mix of French and American oak has left its mark here: rich, deep and nutty. Black fruit seems almost secondary to the oak, but its presence is felt nonetheless. Caramel and dark chocolate, and I tried this alongside some 85% cocoa to test it out, tannin is grainy...

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Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

  08:30    Stu.

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Montelpulciano is an expressive beast. This example, at five years of age, from the Barossa's Vine Vale sub-region is no exception.  Plum, violets, hints of rose and black cherry; subtle it necessarily isn't, a full frontal aromatic assault from the get go, yet...

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Fermented in 600L French oak demi-muids, then on full solids in the same for 8m. Sauvignon Blanc re-thought. Conveys vanilla creme and almond paste, elements of herb remain, subtle - the considered hand of Xavier Bizot ironically writ large here. The time on full lees...

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Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2019

Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2019

  18:43    Stu.

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Stonefruit over citrus. Minerally, semblance of texture and weight, as if to give the impression of sweetness - yet it's dry. Barrel fermentation has added depth and complexity here. Further stonefruit makes its way to the palate, supplemented by notes of melon. Gives...

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Moppity Vineyards Crafted Grenache Shiraz 2018

Moppity Vineyards Crafted Grenache Shiraz 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Slight hints of yeasty funk, sitting over the top of succulent red fruit. Raspberry in the main, hints of wild strawberry dominating - the Grenache, unmistakeable. It's medium bodied, the depth of fruit alluding to the contribution of the Shiraz. Riven with spice: black...

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Alkoomi Jarrah Syrah 2012

Alkoomi Jarrah Syrah 2012

  17:42    Stu.

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Released at 7y of age, almost hedonistic in its fudgey, toffeed manner. The oak remnants still hanging strong here. Black fruit, licorice, hints of coffee bitters - concentrated, and intense. In spite of those years under the belt, it gives the impression that it will...

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Brash Higgins MCC 2017

Brash Higgins MCC 2017

  14:16    Stu.

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A blend of Mataro (50%, all whole bunch), Cinsault (30%, all whole bunch), and Carignan (20%, whole berry). Deliciously light, airy - it comes across herbal, tomato leaf, juicy in feel and offer. Light and lithe, fine and filigree tannin without so much substance. Aspects...

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Pirate Cru Slurpy Puppy GSM 2015

Pirate Cru Slurpy Puppy GSM 2015

  16:30    Stu.

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This intro from Chief Pirateer Dirk Pettigrew needed no edit:  "Our entry level wine is a nod to CDP hence “Slurpyneuf du Pape” begot “Slurpyneuf du Pup” then “Slurpy Puppy” stuck, ended up as a winery dog critter label that took off like a robber’s dog". There you...

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Moppity Vineyards Cato La Lucha Tempranillo 2017

Moppity Vineyards Cato La Lucha Tempranillo 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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A red and black fruit mix that veers between raspberry and cherry. Oak spice remnants, softer - nigh sweeter - aspects of vanilla. Palate shows succulent fruit on entry, blue fruit with woody spice. Silken threaded tannins long, on both flavour and finesse. With some...

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Alkoomi White Label Chardonnay 2019

Alkoomi White Label Chardonnay 2019

  20:59    Stu.

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With the "Sold Out" sign going up for the 2018, it's a timely review for the next iteration. Stonefruit is strong in this one, fresh and fragrant, positively dripping with peach nectar - pretty good going for a fresh and youthful 2019 Chardonnay. Citrus, pithy grapefruit,...

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