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This Australian wine blog was formerly known as thewinewankers.com

I'm a wine drinker, and this blog is about wine, not just Australian wine.

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Friday, 22 November 2024

Stockman's Ridge Rider Cabernet Sauvignon 2022


Chocolate, cedary oak, Bay seasoning.

Creamy red fruit palate, soft and sensual - it's delicate frame of 13.1% sets the wine up. Easy going and representing good value.

Nicely structured, finishes on a medium to firm grain of tannin, moderate acids to clean things up. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://stockmansridge.com.au/

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Friday, 11 October 2024

Tapanappa Foggy Hill Pinot Noir 2023


Beautiful expression of Pinot Noir and of Foggy Hill, of course.

Plum, dark cherry, a lingering undertow of spice, a dab seasoned oak adding its signature.

The palate is exquisitely framed: darker fruit presence, it feels polished, a suggestion of newer oak here. Lovely firming tannins, on an excellent length. Lovely depth of flavour, black tea building through the finish. Quite reserved at this juncture, excellent promise ahead. A yes here. 94

Tasted on: Tuesday 8th October
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 13.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tapanappa.com.au/

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Thursday, 3 October 2024

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2022


It's a release that needs some time, from the get-go it's somewhat shy and reserved.

Slowly it begins to unfurl, offering red and black fruit. Mineral and earthen glimpses, graphite. Something that manifests, broods even, like gunoil - deep in its core.

A slow burner, from a cool vintage. And one that marks 20 years since the establishment of the Terre à Terre brand under Xavier and Lucy Bizot. 93

Tasted on: Monday 23rd September
Source: Sample
Price: $59
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Thursday, 12 September 2024

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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Wednesday, 11 September 2024

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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Tuesday, 10 September 2024

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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