Wirra Wirra Lost Watch Riesling 2020

Subtle lemongrass and kaffir lime notes here, supplemented with a touch of citrus across the palate. 

There's a touch more texture, a fleshy suppleness with a chalky phenolic pucker. A lemon/ lime acidic line adds a spine and precision to the finish. It may be perceived as quite lean in style, yet has much to offer. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 25th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://wirrawirra.com/

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Amigo de la Terra Organic Tempranillo Syrah 2018

Organically farmed Tempranillo and Syrah from the high Plains of Northern Syrah, a vino de Espana. 

Earthy core with black fruit accents that act as a counter to that initial aroma of the land. 

Plum and blackcurrant vibes across the palate. Soft, fleshy and yet with an edge of spice at the finish. Reasonable. 88

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: www.singlevineyards.com

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Angullong Shiraz 2019

Opens with what might be variously interpreted as a char and bacon fat/ meat aroma, or a mercaptan
(onions or such) vibe.

The palate is a touch softer, fleshier, black fruit abounds - almost blackcurrant pastille like. A touch of residual fruit sweetness offsets the more savoury intro. 

Tannin is fine, persistent, carrying long across the palate. Definite carriage of flavour leaves a finish that bookends its somewhat more playful middle. An altogether enjoyable package. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 6th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.angullong.com.au

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Henty Farm Riesling 2019

Curry leaves and Fenugreek - certainly a Riesling on the more interesting side of the aromatic spectrum. 

It's cool and crisp, yet somewhat lighter in flavour and texture. Henty is certainly cool, on the more marginal fringes of Australian viticulture and this excellent Riesling reflects that, with a somewhat austere - nigh Germanic take on things. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 21st November 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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Ballycroft Small Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Dusky black fruit over pencil shavings and rolling tobacco. 

It's on the fuller side for Cabernet Sauvignon, which is exactly where winemaker Joe Evans likes the variety. 

Tannins are ultra-fine, a combination of graphite and cocoa. Latterly the wine reveals its power and potency, overt in nature. This is as good as I've tasted a Cabernet from the producer. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd November 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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Huntington Estate Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz 2017

Alongside its Cabernet/Shiraz [link] counterpart, the Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz represents the upper echelon of the Huntington portfolio. 

From the off it's rich and somewhat hedonistic. A deep, intense wine, yet it does so whilst letting fruit and region sing. Oak is present, yet a part, not the lead in this particular scene. 

Milk chocolate and sage lead, segueing to a palate that shows intensity of blue and purple fruits. 

Latent spice asserts a presence too, amidst this body of fruit and chocolate. Tannins are substantive, whilst this feels good to go it will only improve over mid-term. Drink to 2038 94

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January 
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Edenflo Quincy J 2020

A delicious skinsy blend of Eden Valley Gewürz, Riesling and Viognier.

Eden Flo is Andrew Wardlaw and sidekick (dog) Quincy Jones. Andrew was at pains to express how to best sample his wines - attention to detail a boon - advising to avoid excess cold and allow time and air for fuller expression. 

Pouring a somewhat hedonistic golden colour, and immediately redolent of florals, Quince and stewed apple. 

The palate conveyed an immediate nuttiness, followed by lavish texture and generous spiced nuance across the finish. 

Respecting the winemaker's wishes, after 24 hours the skinsy, Quincey vibe is more pronounced on the nose. Across the palate, ginger is pulled forward and caressed by quite a lavish textural throw. The spice is really quite prominent now, seemingly adding to the sustain of the wine's finish. 

A rather exquisite wine of detail, texture and interest. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January 
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 
Closure: Cork
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Clandestine Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2020

Fresh and bold, Passionfruit, pear and herb - more like the illicit offspring resulting from a vineyard tryst between Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. 

Cut and thrust of acidity, gentle phenolic rub across the palate. Can't escape the fact that this seems more akin to Hills savvy. 89

Tasted on: Monday 7th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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d'Arenberg The Anthroprocene Epoch Mencia 2019

On aromatics alone it's a good rendition of a Ribeira Sacra, with a dense core of red fruit amidst a savoury, almost smokey - but not quite rubbery (an oft sighted quality in this appelation) - background

It's soft, gentle, with a fine and tight tannin structure. Seemingly a wine of contrast: fruit and savoury; gentle and grainy. It's all the better for it, approachable and yet cerebral. 

Well made, also perhaps a nod to vines hitting their straps. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 10th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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Barossa Boy Young Wisdom Mataro 2018

Diam sealed, pretty serious intent coming in a heavy set - deep punted - bottle. 

Initially sullen, Mataro needs some air  - IMNSHO - to reveal its true colours. 

This example itself to be tightly coiled, fine grain of tannin, heft of a wine - subtlety and guile not necessarily the calling cards on first show. That said there's a depth and penetration of flavour, length creeping. 

It has the hallmark, needs to open up further. 91++

Tasted on: Wednesday 16th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 15%
Closure: DIAM
Website: www.barossaboywines.com.au

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Ubertas Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

It's a fruitier expression of Chardonnay here, the winery seeking to express character of the variety over
oak. Picked a little earlier, with a somewhat moderate 12.5% alcohol, fermented in tank before half sent to 2nd year French barrels. 

Notes of pineapple and melon in the main. Segues to a citrus derived juiciness, dare I suggest it as lime, running long across the palate. 

Lacking perhaps the depth and substance of other examples that might score higher, it's freshness and clarity will win many over. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January 
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://ubertaswines.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Merlot 2019

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"2019 has been characterised by intensely dry heat spells followed by short, heavy rainfall. We picked our
fruit very early to beat the heat and secured stunning, evenly ripened fruit with clean, restrained acids." 

This 2019 has been released before the 2017 and 2018. Sitting in the spot within the portfolio where the Grenache normally would (2019 Grenache sold out, none made in 2020).

Initially bright perfume of cherry on initial pour, settles nicely into more familiar plum and typical black fruit profile. 

The palate shows every inch of its early picking, light and bright with a tangy acid profile across the palate and through the finish. 

A delicious lick of spice curls across the back palate, delivering length to boot. Do not underestimate its lower alcohol profile, the freshness makes this a marvellous supping wine for consumption in youth. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 9th January 

Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 12.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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