St Hugo Riesling 2023

Lime and Kaffir lime, veering to an element of browning apple as a segue to pithy grapefruit.

Lively, zesty, with a minerally vibe through the middle and final flourish.

Good bracing acidity that propels a generous length. Quality wine. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 29th May
Source: Sample
Price: $39.99
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.sthugo.com/

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Jean Loron Pinot Noir 2023

Vin de France Pinot Noir here - broadly meaning it either falls outside a designated region (appellation) or fails to confirm to AOC rules for a variety in a region.

Blackcurrant and bramble, it smells cool and is suggestive of an amount of whole bunch in the mix.

Savoury, hint of home-brand Cola, slight sappy note. Fine rub of tannin. Yes it pulls a bit short, but all up forms an attractive package. 89

Tasted on: Thursday 11th July
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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d'Arenberg The Mind Palace Sangiovese 2022

Such an enjoyable Sangiovese: black cherry, slight ferrous earthiness.

Palate, juicy with a dark vein threading across the palate. Pop of acid to cleans things up, carrying you home.

Italians look away now, but with some lamb ragu pallardelle this came up a notch. A yes here. 91

Tasted on: Tuesday 20th August
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Mayfield Vineyard Jonty Met Otto Cabernet Franc 2023

Lovely, joyous vibrancy to the wine - bright, perky, puppy black fruit that pops in the glass!

Similarly conveys itself on the palate: core of bright and glossy black fruit, acids in balance and bring flow. Lovely, fine chains of silken tannin to thread it all together. A joyous release, and one that provides potential further claim for Cab Franc to potentially be Orange's 'thing'. 93

Tasted on: Friday 6th September
Source: Sample
Price: $37
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.mayfieldvineyard.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Citrus, passionfruit, blackcurrant leaf - subtle underlying fresh herb rounding out the profile.

Lovely mid-weight to the palate, yields to a minerally bent that shifts things up a gear. Zesty, lively - with a mouthfilling expanse to it. Definite phenolic presence to the wine, really making itself known - creating lasting presence. 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 14th August
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Charry oak with roast meat introduction here, it sets its stall early as a wine of substance and heft. It sees 25% new American oak, that certainly adds to the character, especially with 17 months time in it.

Yet, a lighter introduction on the palate: blackcurrant/ cassis notes, fresh lick of acidity that brightens the mid-palate. Developing further, plum, clove, black olive and cedar notes add to the layers of complexity. 95 2026-2044

Tasted on: Monday 15th July
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.15%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Henty Farm Malakoff Vineyard Shiraz 2023

A new wine for Henty Farm - with access to fruit from the famed Malakoff Vineyard in Victoria's Pyrenees region.

Cool clime vibes: roast and fermenting meats, pan juices. Dried grasses, baked earth. A lovely savoury expression of Shiraz.

Lovely minerality to the wine, glimpses of the 'volcanicity' - a vibrancy and vitality I see in volcanic soils. Black fruit and twists of dark spice add extra dimensions through the final third, allowing the wine to build in stature and deliver a finish of substance. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 31st August
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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