Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Shiraz 2017

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 Australian wine scene. 

Savoury mien, grilled meat aspects over black fruit. Subtle herb and spice twists. The palate offers more definition, black fruited presence with cool climate peppery twists; tannin fine, running long with flavour across the palate. 

What strikes me is the offer of fruit, of place, balanced, with presence and persistence. 91 

Tasted on: Monday 9th September, a Fruit to Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au/

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Pirate Cru William Hunt Shiraz 2015

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 Shiraz to its very core, or Plum and Mulberry - just sitting over earthen and chocolate notes. The palate medium to dull, hints of chocolate and smatterings of rasoebtty / red fruit softening things up. 

Still at 4 years it's primary, and fresh - and I'd wager for 10-15y ahead of it. 93 

Tasted on: Saturday 21st September, a Root day 
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au/

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Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2015

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 and assertive. There's yet a finesse, a line of assuredness, once you get beyond the initial oak bluster. It will age well, of that I have no doubt. 93 - 2023-2038 

Tasted on: Tuesday 17th September, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $65
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au

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Pirate Cru Dante Gabriel Montelpulciano 2014

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 balance could well be one of its watchwords. The palate speaks of dark spice, backed up by black fruit and garrigue like herb. 

Even at five years it's still expressive, bright and vital. Acid and tannin still carrying an offering. This was paired with a fennel sausage ragu, more than equal to each other. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 15th September, a Leaf day
Source: Sample
Price: $27.95
Alcohol: 14.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017

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 is evident through the substantive palate presence. 

Aromatics flow through on the palate, the creamy aspects a force here. A guiding frame of acid provides the structure for the wine to hang off. An impressive finish, subtle and yet generous to a tee. Sauvignon Blanc to a new level. 95 

Tasted on: Friday 4th October, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au

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Harewood Estate Porongurup Riesling 2019

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 and aids length, finishing long. Quality wine. 93

Tasted on: Thursday 3rd October, a Leaf day 

Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.harewoodestate.com.au
Sample Courtesy Of: https://www.singlevineyards.com

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Moppity Vineyards Crafted Grenache Shiraz 2018

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 pepper, clove and a suggestion of anise. Concludes on a savoury line, at stark odds to the prime fruit presence that came before it. 91 

Tasted on: Sunday 8th September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au

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Alkoomi Jarrah Syrah 2012

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 serve well for many years to come. I'm not even sure it's ready now. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd September, a Root to Flower day 

Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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Brash Higgins MCC 2017

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 of cherry and plum add to the overall package. 

Light and crunchy, airy in feel. Good midweek option clocking in at a mere 12.5%. 89 

Tasted on: Wednesday 11th September, a Root day 
Source: Winery Purchase
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.brashhiggins.com

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Pirate Cru Slurpy Puppy GSM 2015

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 go!

Black cherry, flashes of raspberry, deeper notes of black earth and old leather. It's overlain with spiced hints, black pepper and baking spices coursing through the wine.

Succulent palate, lighter - more supple - than perhaps one might expect, given aromatic depths. Gossamer like tannin, threading long across the palate. Glossy, slick feel, akin to that a waxed apple. 

There's a depth and length of flavour here, good to see the GSM blend still fairing well - something that I feel I've not seen as much with the trend toward single varietal wines. 91 

Tasted on: Friday 13th September, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $26.95 RRP
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.piratecru.com.au

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Moppity Vineyards Cato La Lucha Tempranillo 2017

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 time the spicier elements come to the fore, brown spiced hints of cinnamon along with freshly cracked pepper. 

Quite possibly the most finest expression of Australian Tempranillo I've had the pleasure of tasting. 94 

Tasted on: Sunday 8th September, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://moppity.com.au

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Alkoomi White Label Chardonnay 2019

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, hint of something like green melon. Yep, it's certainly a fresh one, a mere suggestion of phenolic presence elevates this slightly beyond something you can find in a generic offering. 

Well made, as one expects from this label. 89 

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd September, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au

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