Posted: May 1, 2019
Deep purple wine with a leafy/peppery nose showing a blue fruit lift. Good sweet peppery berry palate with nice use of oak, soft tannins and a crisp finish. 5+
Comments Off on Boutique Wines By CSU Canberra Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
The nose is a complexity of plums and prunes with minty notes. Strong shiraz flavours; all juicy black and spicy with cleansing tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
A big powerful wine that’s rich and complex with dark briary fruit, some forest floor elements, hints of licorice and an edge of menthol. Lovely soft tannin structure. 5+
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Spicy peppery berry bouquet with oak support. Ripe fruit flavours with good line of tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale G.S.M. 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Aromatic complexity of red cherries, spices and tarry notes. Nice vinosity and weight to the ripe berry palate. 3-5
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale Grenache 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Dusty spicy black olive fragrances with sweet fruit palate showing nice maturity.
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Pale salmon hues with aromatic strawberry nose and clean simple sour cherry flavours.
Comments Off on Ekhidna She Viper McLaren Vale Shiraz Rosé 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Nose exhibits lovely aged rancio complexity with a delicious balance of fruit, oak and aged flavours. Quite a straightforward palate considering the age of the wine.
Comments Off on Scarpantoni 30 Year Old McLaren Vale Tawny NV / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Subtle berry bouquet with slight greenness and lovely flavours of plums and raspberries on the well balanced palate. Soft tannic finish.
Comments Off on Scarpantoni McLaren Vale Gamay 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Lovely plum fruit and oak complexity on the nose and a complex, true pinot, palate with nice mature notes.
Comments Off on Scarpantoni McLaren Vale Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Excellent dark cherry nose with a peppery lift and sweet dark cherry fruit flavours with yeasty complexity. A real crowd pleaser. 3-5
Comments Off on Scarpantoni Black Tempest McLaren Vale Sparkling Shiraz NV / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Blackberry fruit nose with a greenish note and excellent oak and fruit complexity of flavours.
Comments Off on Scarpantoni Brothers Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
“A sleeping giant!” suggested one judge. A big, malty oak driven, wine with nice lightly herbal varietal fruit and a full tannin structure. 5+
Comments Off on Scarpantoni Block 3 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Still rich and bright for a 6-year-old wine with lifted spicy aromas and great mouthfilling red fruit flavours on the silky smooth palate with furry tannins.
Comments Off on Scarpantoni California Road Old Vine McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Excellent mixed fruit aromas with coffee and cocoa like complexity and a lean, but well balanced, cassis driven fruit palate.
Comments Off on Coriole Estate Grown McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Fresh ripe peppery fruit nose with a violet lift and a full flavoured firm tannic palate. Nice fruit weight and good use of oak. 5+
Comments Off on Coriole McLaren Vale Shiraz Fiano 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Fresh lemon fragrances with hints of peaches and musky/honeyed biscuit-like complexity to the palate with good phenolic presence.
Comments Off on Coriole McLaren Vale Fiano 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Dense rich complexity of black olive-like aromas. The palate is “In great shape.” A little on the sweet side with grippy tannins.
Comments Off on Grounded Cru Inc (Gold Label) McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Inky dark nose with a brooding brambly bouquet showing some lovely oak elements. The huge ripe sweet palate showing flavours of olives, blackberries and oak. Nice tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Grounded Cru Inc (Gold Label) McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Bright youthful berries and ripe cherries lift off the nose with a well structured, balanced, sour cherry and blackberry palate.
Comments Off on Grounded Cru McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Powerful spicy peppery nose with strong blue fruit characters which are echoed on the elegant palate. Very good tannin structure. 3-5
Comments Off on Grounded Cru McLaren Vale G.S.M. 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Dark slightly ethereal cherry aromas with a marzipan edge. Soft in the mouth with light varietal flavours and bright line of acidity.
Comments Off on Grounded Cru McLaren Vale Grenache 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Strong spicy aromas with dark cherry, violet and lavender characters. A rich, full flavoured, ripe berry palate with powerful tannin structure and good oak complexity. 5+
Comments Off on Grounded Cru McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Complex nutty nose with cool black fruits on the palate showing a rhubarb edge.
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Blackberry Patch Fleurieu Peninsula Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Lots of blue fruits on the nose layered with mocha-like oak and plenty of cherry flavours with chocolaty elements, silky smooth tannins and nice acidity. 5+
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Chocolate Factory McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Light, fresh and herbal on the nose and lightweight palate with an interesting flavour profile showing a sea spray/oyster shell like edge and good acidity.
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Lady Marmalade Fleurieu Peninsula Vermentino 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Attractive mature shades of red with some very nice complex varietal fruit characters of black berries with cleansing tannins.
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Violet Beauregard Langhorne Creek Malbec 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
The nose is all sweet vanillin oak and floral fruit. Nice cranberry-like flavours with slight green notes and soft line of tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Fresh, medium-bodied, single-vineyard wine, hand-picked and mostly tank-fermented (10% oak-aged.) Light lemon/green, it has good depth of citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, showing a touch of complexity, lively, balanced acidity and a fully dry finish. $25
Comments Off on Moutere Hills Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Fresh and lively, with more complexity than you’d expect at its modest price. Matured for nine months in French oak barriques, it is ruby hued, with very good body and depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing some…
Comments Off on Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Already drinking well, but worth cellaring, this estate-grown wine was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (20% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with vigorous, ripe, stonefruit flavours, showing good concentration and complexity, slightly toasty…
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this youthful wine was cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks and barriques, then matured and lees-stirred in oak puncheons. Pale straw, it is fresh and mouthfilling, with generous, ripe, stonefruit flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and…
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Small Batch Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Enjoyable now, this richly varietal Waipara wine is a distinctly medium style. Bright, light yellow/green, it has generous, citrusy, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, a hint of honey, fresh acidity, and excellent immediacy and harmony. (From Pegasus Bay). $21 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Main Divide North Canterbury Riesling 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Fresh, aromatic wine, medium to full-bodied, with excellent depth of ripe passionfruit/lime flavours. Finely balanced, with appetising acidity and a dry, lingering finish. $21
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Stich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Aromatic, with a slightly grassy bouquet, this punchy wine was estate-grown at two Bannockburn sites. Pale lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant, clearly varietal, slightly nettley flavours, a touch of complexity, and a dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2020+. $23
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
From a coastal vineyard in the Far North, this freshly scented, light lemon/green wine is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with generous, ripe, peachy, slightly spicy flavours and a dry finish. Still youthful, it should be at its best 2020+. $24
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Paewhenua Island Mangonui Northland Viognier 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Worth cellaring, this single-vineyard red is bright ruby, with good body and depth. It has fresh, youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, with savoury notes adding complexity, and a fairly firm finish. Open 2020+. $24 (UK)
Comments Off on Clark Estate Upper Wairau Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Still youthful, this savoury wine was barrel-aged for nine months. Ruby hued, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $25 (A, US)
Comments Off on Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘T’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Estate-grown at Waipara, this fragrant, deep ruby wine is full-bodied and rich. It has deep cherry and plum flavours, with hints of herbs and spices, fresh acidity, and a very harmonious finish. Already delicious, it should be at its best…
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This nine year-old Hawke’s Bay bubbly is mature, but still extremely lively. Closed with a crown seal, it is a blend of barrel-fermented chardonnay (80%) and pinot noir (20%), disgorged after seven years on its yeast lees. Blended in early…
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Methode Traditionnelle 2010 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Offering good value, this red was hand-picked at two sites in the Southern Valleys and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques. Fragrant and full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, sweet-fruited, savoury and supple, with cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Highly scented, this vigorous, youthful wine is dryish, rather than bone-dry. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with penetrating, vibrant, citrusy flavours, firm acid spine and obvious potential; open 2021+. $25
Comments Off on Domain Road Road The Water Race Central Otago Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Approachable now, this is a medium style, hand-picked at two sites. Bright, light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented, with strong, vibrant. citrusy, slightly appley flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness, appetising acidity, and a long finish. Full of youthful vigour,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Road Duffers Creek Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this Bannockburn wine was fermented and lees-stirred for 10 months in French oak barriques (35% new). Light lemon/green, it has a fresh, citrusy, slightly smoky bouquet, showing good complexity. An elegant, youthful wine, it is tightly structured,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Road Defiance Vineyard Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Estate-grown at two sites, this is a very ageworthy red. Deep ruby, with a fragrant, savoury bouquet, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with youthful cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent complexity and length. Best drinking 2021+. $40
Comments Off on Domain Road Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Still unfolding, this Wairau Valley red is deep ruby, with a fragrant, savoury, slightly herbal bouquet. Full-bodied, it has concentrated plum, herb and spice flavours, complex and savoury, fine-grained tannins and a lengthy finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. (From Clark Estate.)…
Comments Off on Clericus Wild Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Showing plenty of personality, this Awatere Valley wine was made with use of indigenous yeasts and oak. Light yellow/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated stonefruit and spice flavours, hints of ginger and honey, good complexity, and a gently…
Comments Off on Clericus Wild Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This ageworthy, intensely varietal red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle. Deeply coloured, with a highly fragrant, fresh, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, showing good complexity, and a…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Still youthful, this refined wine was hand-picked and barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with a slightly toasty bouquet, strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, showing good complexity, and fresh acidity keeping things lively. Open 2020+. $25 (A)
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019