Clandestine Vineyards Mourvedre Rosé 2022

Single vineyard Rosé of Mataro. From McLaren Vale. It evokes summer days, of warmth on an evening breeze.

Summer berrys, rose petal, warmth on dried earth, baking spice.

Crisp and snap to attention palate profile, leading and guiding through the length and finish. Mouth-watering acidity positively gets the 'rails' of the palate going, reeling you back in for more.

This is both daytime smashability or setting sun lead-in to an evening ahead. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 11th September
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2018

Cassis and plummy fruit dominate here, fresh and primary.

Tannins across the palate are fine, almost silty. Fresh acidity has you salivating, yearning for more - exhibiting what will enable it to cellar well.

It feels a touch more comely, rounded in profile - the result of a warmer year - yet with a dried herb and subtle anise in the frame adding to the complexity. 94

Tasted on: Monday 10th October
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Clandestine Vineyards Break Free Deux Rebelles Rosé 2022

Can only assume the two rebels here refers to vintners Trudy and Nick Stacy, at first I was thinking it might be the grape varieties forming the make-up of the wine - but it's 100% Shiraz. With a few tricks - and some skins from Viognier, Gewurz and Riesling - employed to deliver something a little different.

Unfiltered, pouring a hazy and dusky pink. Watermelon husk and a touch of under-ripe strawberry in the mix - here. I'm less about the flavour(s) than the body and texture - there's a generousity about it that has you thinking afternoons around the barbecue. Bring it on El Nino. 90

Tasted on: Friday 28th October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Nouveau 2022

A youthful blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Shiraz. Percentages unknown.

Frankly it smells like Pinot Noir, with the red fruit primary - yet supported by a just there savoury edge to frame the wine so.

Vibrant, juicy, red fruits abound - exuding a pastille like smoothness across the palate. Very much in the modern vogue, clocking in at a very modest 12.8%. You can go too wrong here. 90

Tasted on: Friday 7th October
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 12.8% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Rotari Gran Rose Millesimato Brut 2016

Deeper salmon hued, 3 years on lees gives the secondary autolytic characters. Stonefruit and red fruits add a softer aspect.

The palate has a soft roundness, almost crispy - yet with a crisper, harder edge. A latent edge of fruit sweetness perks things up again, as if to provide a secondary movement for the wine. Decent bubbles. 91

Tasted on: Friday 4th November
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.singlevineyards.com/

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The Little Wine Company Sangiovese 2019

Cracking Sangio from the Hunter here. It's a fruity vibe with just enough of a savoury pitch for interest.

Soft and supple on entry, a barely there throw of tannin gains a modest amount of presence to coat the mouth and leave a lasting presence.

Lingering acidity for freshness and to clean up the palate and whatever you choose to pair with it. Cliched as it may seem, Pizzas worked well at Chateau Vinsomniac. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 19th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thelittlewinecompany.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Shiraz 2018

Soon to be released - 2017 still available on the web as at November 2022.

Heavy set cloak of oak sets out this wine's stall firmly. This is Mudgee Shiraz, with its milk chocolate / mud cake ways over prime black fruit.

Classic Mudgee tannins in a package of restraint - beautifully worked within its 13.2% alcohol. Drink 2024 - 2035. 94

Tasted on: Monday 31st October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Robert Stein Dry Riesling 2022

Mudgee Riesling from vines planted in 1976 - some pedigree. Indeed, such is the demand - and quality of - these Robert Stein Rieslings that they have recently undertaken a 2.5 hectare expansion of plantings.

As ever an expressive number , it's an aromatic riot of lemons and limes, with floral notes adding their presence.

Tangy, with an initial softer mango like note. It flattens out a bit from there, a steely and bracing acidity that hales over and draws the wine long across the palate. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 3rd November
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 11% 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.robertstein.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2020

Cabernet dominant (81%) with the balance of Shiraz.

Black fruit prime here, at least on first showing, for it morphs and shifts - revealing layers amidst the intrigue.

Herbal - think thyme, fennel - and savoury notes supplement that. Whilst it feels coiled at this juncture, it's presence, shape and structure assure of its longevity.

Brickish tannins dominate the finish in a classy manner. 94

Tasted on: Thursday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Harewood Estate Denmark Pinot Noir 2022

Pinot Noir from the maritime cool of Denmark in Western Australia's Great Southern region.

It's all Plum, cassis - set against a darker edge, smoked wood and perhaps even a touch meaty in its initial representation.

Lithe, juicy - succulent red fruits, again before a darker edge. Light and shade, night and day. A wine of opposing parts - contributing overall to the whole.

An edge of tannin that adds an extra element to the contrasting fruit profile. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 18th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://harewood.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Dry Pinot Noir Rosé 2022

I often just smell this wine and think of the town of my birth, for it evokes that quintessential summer dessert - and summer vibe - of strawberries and cream.

A bone dry Rosé, with a curl of berry sweetness licking it's way across the palate. A touch of phenolic presence and on a good length, it's something to grace any table this summer. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 9th October
Source: Sample
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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De Bortoli Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Only made in exceptional years, the Melba is named after Dame Nelly (who gave her name to the peach).

Forget about any presence of peach - or any stonefruit for that matter - here, it's a classically structured Cabernet: black fruit - think plum, damson, hints of blackcurrant - with savoury edges.

Really it's the grippy tannins that win here, coating the palate and giving both length, breadth and depth. As much as you might want to get your hands on Nellie now, patience is a virtue. One for the long haul! 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 25th May
Source: Sample
Price: $160
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Mt Bera Amphitheatre Shiraz Blaufrankisch 2019

Unsure of % of each blend here (based on label).

Whilst dense and dark in glass, it evokes a perfume of blue and red fruits - somewhat of a contrast.

Blaufrankisch always evokes a very 'blue' aroma, no exception here. The plummy Shiraz notes are also present, all up presenting a very attractive package in intro.

The palate is light, supple - without sacrificing depth and a tight grain of tannin. It's an impressive blend, something of an all-rounder. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 31st May
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://mtberavineyards.com.au/

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Edenflo Eden Valley Fresh Prince 2021

Plum, earth, hint of clove

Delicate on entry, the fruit sings, free from encumbrances of excessive oak and artifice.

A delicate grip of tannin, a fine rub, fruit resurgence and a splash of acid for juiciness. It's at turns a comfort, yet playful. An embrace, yet also an indication of time ahead. A lively finish brings it all back again, like getting a second chance all over. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 30th March

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Jules Taylor The Jules Rosé 2021

Berry driven nose: strawberries, cream - soft, sensuous.

Palate is somewhat rounded and textural. I recommended serving pretty cool - this came wine fridge cold - to flatten the palate and accentuate the back palate.

There's enough interest to make this one with broad appeal. Could easily smash a bottle - or two - of this over lunch. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 24th March
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.julestaylor.com/

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Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay 2021

A sheeer delight from the get go, with grilled peach and toasted hazelnuts. There's a creaminess, almost a milky panacotta like offering, with perhaps a little herb - sage - steeped.

The palate is crisp, taut - a certain minerally quality and intensity through the mid to back palate. A touch of struck mack funkiness and a delightful line of grapefruity acidity tidying up the finish. Yes, this is good. 94

Tasted on: Friday 18th March
Source: Sample
Price: $55
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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De Bortoli Organic Shiraz Field 2020

This is De Bortoli's first certified organic wine, off of their Hemley vineyard. Presently they've 6.2% of their Riverina vineyards certified organic, with a goal to make that 10% by 2025.

Billed as a 'field blend', but is also 100% Sguraz. Anyway, the wine in question is rich, ripe, plummy - there's a depth here, a suggestion of clove and cocoa nib spice too.

Medium to full palate: lighter red fruit against a darker fruit backdrop. Powdery tannin through the mid palate, lick of acid.

Solid Shiraz from warmer climes, in a middleish bodied package. 89

Tasted on: Friday 18th March
Source: Sample
Price: $17.50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.debortoli.com.au

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Melon meets something like a white pepper and sandalwood nose. Exotic, you might say; deriv,tive you would not.

Texture meets a subtle grapefruit acidity. For those familiar with the variety, here it's more of note to state how this example stands out from that crowd. It's judiciously picked, fermented and bottled to ensure its a far cry from the astringent examples you might be used to.

What it is, is poised, balanced; a fruit presence is juxtaposed against savoury elements derived from both a picking regimen and fermentation vessels.

Excellent intensity and a sustained finish that would no doubt have any wine lover re-appraising Australian Sauvignon Blanc. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 20th March
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Rock of Wisdom Shiraz 2021

Possibly the most straightforward - think regionality and varietal - of the three releases, this does not detract from its quality.

Plum, Mulberry - the palate sees more of the fruit than the nose might suggest.

It's medium, maybe just veering to full. It has the 'just there' touch of the winemaker's - allowing the fruit to shine over artifice - moderate texture flow and spread with a suggestion of structure to lift things. 91

Tasted on: Monday 7th March
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

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Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2021

Ripe peach with a throw of toasted oak in the frame. Toast latterly morphs to a spice, grilled hazelnut, a peppery top note.

A little creamy texture whips across the palate, oak spice backing that up with an expansive move through the finish. A phenolic touch adds further dimension to the wine's conclusion. Depth, length and interest. 92

Tasted on: Tuesday 15th February
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Clandestine Vineyards Tempranillo Rosé 2021

Geographe. Single vineyard. 6000 bottles

Toffee apple, hints of rose and berry.

The palate is where I like Tempranillo based roses, this example offering a dry and assured palate threaded with a spine of perpetual acidity. There's a phenolic flourish to add width to that length.

It's moreish, thirst quenching and quite compelling in its proposition. Superb wine. 93

Tasted on: Friday 26th November
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Natural Wino Co Organic Lightly Sparkling Rosé 2021

Light Berry kiss with a grassy undertow. 

Strawberry mousse like flavour on initial entry, a subtle petillence adds a bit of energy and drive.

There's a lightness - perceived perhaps, for it's lower in both calories and alcohol - to the body and it sits well across the palate.

Delightful way to start, an afternoon cleanser. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 5th March
Source: Sample
Price: $20
Alcohol: 8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.thenaturalwineco.com.au/

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Storm King Wine Co. Vermentino 2021

Storm King Wine Co. is Ray Costanzo's (Golden Grove) side project with wife Jen. The label is named after the body of water just outside Stanhope, where the couple live.

This evocatively perfumed Vermentino spends 10d on skins with daily plunging. It speaks of pear, marzipan, with a little muskiness around the periphery.

Detailed and precise across the palate, a fine phenolic edge bolsters the wine and adds width and breadth to the fine acidity running long across the palate. Oozing quality and finesse, the Winemaker's play book has been well deployed here. 

An opportunity for many to re-assess the Granite Belt wine region and what it can deliver, for this wine is not just detailed in its own presentation, the winery has gone to extraordinary efforts in how it is presented, not just with the labeling but also the packaging. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 13th March
Source: Q Wine's Hand-me-downs
Price: $55
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Diam
Website: https://www.stormkingwineco.com.au/

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Rock of Wisdom Grenache 2021

Old Vine Grenache, from Peter and Sofi Hiscock.

There's a complexity here that combines a youthful aura married to the depth of flavour that old Vine material brings.

The fruit - raspberry, even a suggestion of blue - sings and works in tandem with that depth of flavour and pull of tannin. There's a throw of acidity that somehow belies its 14.5%

Give it some time and air, for it then further reveals itself with something like chicory root character  bound up with burnt orange peel. It's a fascinating exercise in old Vine Grenache with a youthful vogue, interest factor is high. 92

Tasted on: Friday 4th March

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com/

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Clandestine Vineyards Pinot Noir 2021

First Pinot Noir from the Clandestine crew, unsurprisingly sourced from the Adelaide Hills - where their
excellent Pinot Grigio hails.

It's a riot of dark fruit, Plum and black cherry. Yet for that its lithe and supple, a delicious wave of fruit sweeping across the palate.

A fine rasp of tannin, flash of acid for freshness, a generous tail of flavour that is seemingly perpetual in manner. It sees some winemaking love, by way of whole bunch (15%) and some new oak (30%) adding to an overall packaged that is is delicious, balanced, moreish - overall quite a dangerous combination. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 20th January
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/

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Mr Mick Sangiovese 2021

Youthful take on Sangiovese - Nuovo, as perhaps it might be best stated.

Smells primary, of fresh summer strawberry, cherry and blackcurrant, augmented with a touch of baking spice in the mix.

The palate is slick, glossy and fair glides across the palate in an energetic manner.

It's a lighter take on Sangiovese, but unmistakabley carrying the markers of that great variety. Light, lithe, playful - and quite smashable. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 9th February
Source: Sample
Price: $17
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.mrmick.com.au

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2019

It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc in the following proportions: 50/48/2%.

Seing a mix (61/39) of od/new oak for eight monnths; to 4000l foudres for a further 11m.

Redcurrant, cedar and bay on the nose. Warming up: chocolate, coffee grounds, earth and floral perfume.

It's lithe, soft on entry and then carrying a certain line of powdery tannin - almost the hallmark for these impressive TàT releases. There's a milk chocolate note on the finish, combined with a little freshness. Classy - balnced, but you just know this has cellarability writ large across it! 93

Tasted on: Saturday 19th February
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Tim Adams Skilly Ridge Riesling 2020

White florals, blossom, lavender, a little bruised apple in the frame. Beautiful aromatics, freshness juxtaposed against a little oxidative edge.

Minerally, a subtle tang of lime juice across the length of the wine, textural width adding breadth to length and filling the wine out. It's what marks it out from a raft of "acid and lime" merchants that we all know (and for the most part love).

A generosity of flavour to it, subtle and beguiling. A standout Rizza! 93

Tasted on: Thursday 3rd February
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 11.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.timadamswines.com.au/

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