Posted: September 4, 2019
Probably at or near its peak, this fragrant, full-coloured red is mouthfilling, supple and savoury, with strong, plummy, spicy, nutty, slightly herbal flavours, showing excellent complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $70
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This refined, graceful, very youthful red was hand-harvested, matured for 11 months in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ruby hued, it is floral, savoury and supple, with vibrant, berryish, spicy, nutty, slightly herbal flavours, woven…
Comments Off on Valli Gibbston Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful, sweet-fruited red was hand-picked, matured for nearly a year in French oak casks (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep, bright ruby, it is sturdy and concentrated, with strong, ripe plum, cherry and nut flavours, well-structured, youthful…
Comments Off on Valli Bendigo Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“Crafted for immediate enjoyment”, this graceful Gibbston red is from a notably early-ripening season. Bright ruby, it is fragrant and softly mouthfilling, with deep, very ripe plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury, nutty notes adding complexity, gentle acidity and a…
Comments Off on Rockburn The Chosen Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still very youthful, this deeply coloured, single-vineyard red was grown at Gibbston and barrel-aged in French oak (30% new). Lush and silky-textured, it has a fresh, fragrant bouquet of spices and herbs. Mouthfilling, with concentrated plum, herb and spice flavours,…
Comments Off on Rockburn Six Barrels Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
This powerful, single-vineyard Bannockburn red was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (29 per cent new). Deep and youthful in colour, it is highly fragrant, with dense, youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent vigour,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Defiance Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Delicious now, this ruby hued red is fragrant and sweet-fruited, in a slightly softer style than its Black Rabbit Vineyard stablemate (below). Savoury, nutty and complex, it has generous cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, that build well to a…
Comments Off on Ceres The Artists Collection Inlet Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still moderately youthful, this is an impressively fragrant, rich and complex red. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum, herb and spice flavours, savoury, nutty notes, and a long, harmonious finish. $65
Comments Off on Brennan Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A very pretty berry nose and a light bodied palate with fantastic luscious red fruit flavours on the mid palate and has a strong chewy finish.
Comments Off on Paringa Estate Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A balanced, well integrated, charmer with oak in the starring role.
Comments Off on Clyde Park Single Block D Geelong Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A minty cool nose with an herbal thread and an interesting leaner style of savoury palate.
Comments Off on Clyde Park Single Block D Geelong Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A restrained, layered, gem! Medium red hues, dusty cherry kernel aromas, beautiful acid and attractive drying savoury characters across the palate.
Comments Off on Clyde Park Single Block D Geelong Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A dark and mysterious aromatic nose with the oak apparent on the palate but there is ‘slippery’ fruit in the background.
Comments Off on Clyde Park Single Block B2 Geelong Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A beautiful ripe style that’s an aromatic mix of raspberry, black cherries, licorice and spices. It’s young and fresh.
Comments Off on Clyde Park F College Block Geelong Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Dense red currant/cranberry bouquet with toasty oak that is echoed on the fine edged palate. “Commercially attractive.”
Comments Off on Clyde Park Single Block D Geelong Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“World class!” enthused one judge. Brooding treacle intensity to the nose and very thick and luscious in the mouth with incredibly long lingering flavours. Good oak.
Comments Off on Morris Premium Rutherglen Rare Muscat NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Beautifully aged wine with amazing prune-like aromas and incredibly intense and voluptuous concentration of delicious rancio/toffee flavours.
Comments Off on Morris Premium Rare Rutherglen Topaque NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Sweet oak and slightly stewed fruit characters leap out of the glass. The palate is rich with dark fruits edged with violets, sweet oak and drying tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Morris CHM Rutherglen Durif 2013 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Evolving nutty nose and a plain palate with subtle yeastiness and lots of tropical fruit.
Comments Off on No.1 Family Estate Reserve Marlborough Sparkling Chardonnay NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Fleshy fruit driven style. Some complexity on the nose and good flavour persistence.
Comments Off on Bunnamagoo Estate Wines Single Vineyard Rockley Central Ranges Sparkling Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Slight confectionery notes to the nose with a lean, straightforward, palate.
Comments Off on Canard-Duchêne Champagne, France Brut NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“A tight savoury pinot that still holds much promise,” said one judge. It’s pretty, complex and ageing well.
Comments Off on Bream Creek Reserve Tasmania Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Fresh citrus fruit fragrances laced with funky aged notes. Creamy in the mouth, excellent acid structure and hint of honeycomb-like sweetness.
Comments Off on Achille Princier Grande Reserve Champagne Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Nice nutty complexity to the strawberry-like nose and has a leaner, crisper and dryer style of palate.
Comments Off on Maison Alexandre Bonnet Perle Rosee Les Riceys, France Pinot Noir Rosé Brut NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Good aperitif style showing excellent aged complexity that interplays nicely with the fresher fruit characters.
Comments Off on Maison Alexandre Bonnet Les Riceys, France Blanc de Noirs NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Very complex toasty aroma profile with underlying citrus fruit. The lovely vibrant palate exhibits excellent freshness, length, depth and precision.
Comments Off on Maison Alexandre Bonnet Harmonie de Blancs Les Riceys, France Brut NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A complex bouquet of honey and toast with a creamy edge to it. Very good flavour complexity with excellent length and balance. Good palate texture.
Comments Off on Maison Alexandre Bonnet Grande Reserve Les Riceys, France Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A restrained subtle nose and silky smooth palate. Needs time for the spicy berry fruit to be revealed.
Comments Off on Rockcliffe Single Site Great Southern Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A light lean pinot with delicate leafy red currant-like fruit. “An individual!”
Comments Off on Prancing Horse Estate Single Vineyard Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Oak tending to dominate for now with sweet berry fruits pushing through. Needs more time to shine.
Comments Off on Foxey’s Hangout Kentucky Road 777 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“A really well made wine,” noted one judge. It’s sweet and generous and has some depth of savoury fruit. Good drinking now.
Comments Off on Foxey’s Hangout Scotsworth Farm Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A balanced, clean and well made pinot with a very pretty musky/floral nose and light berry fruit on the elegant palate.
Comments Off on Foxey’s Hangout Scotsworth Farm Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Lean, green and leafy nose with similar characters flowing onto the palate.
Comments Off on Clos Henri Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
An attractive leafy pinot that rests on a delicate edge. “It’s in for the long run!”
Comments Off on Crittenden Estate The Zumma Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Peaches and melons on the nose with subtle yeasty notes. Very well balanced palate – lovely length of lemony/citrus flavours.
Comments Off on Jean Pernet Brut Tradition Champagne Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Aromatics jump out of the glass. “Hard to spit this one out,” lamented one judge.
Comments Off on Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Perfect fruit/oak integration on both the sultry nose and the nicely textured palate.
Comments Off on Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Solid ripe spicy fruit nose and well-structured palate with sweet/savoury fruit underpinned with herbs.
Comments Off on Tarras Vineyards The Canyon Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Youthful colour and very balanced aromatics. Retained freshness on the cherry-like palate but starting to evolve earthy/leathery secondary characters.
Comments Off on Tarras Vineyards The Canyon Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“Very high pedigree here!” Intriguingly complicated nose and sinewy stewed fruit flavours with slight sweet/sour edge.
Comments Off on Rob Dolan Signature Series Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Almost black in colour with subtle but intense blackberry aromas. Dark fruit complexity on the palate with great tannins. “Unique style – will age well!”
Comments Off on Brown Brothers King Valley Shiraz Mondeuse Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Dark red fruit aromas with peppery notes. Palate is quite meaty and gamey.
Comments Off on Brown Brothers Patricia King Valley Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2012 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Attractive yeasty notes to the nose with subtle strawberry aromas. Palate has lovely zesty freshness and nice sweet dosage.
Comments Off on Ernest Rapeneau Epernay Brut Rosé NV / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“A rich, warm and comforting style”, according to one judge. Lots of red fruits with subtle use of oak and showing interesting cola-like notes.
Comments Off on 1847 Wines Barossa Valley Sparkling Petit Verdot 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Very aromatic; smells like a flower garden! Has a delicate palate with pretty floral flavours. Needs time to open up.
Comments Off on Portsea Estate Birthday Hill Single Vineyard MV6 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
An engaging aromatic complexity of cherries and strawberries with subtle maturity beginning to show. The palate has lifted black fruits nicely integrated with the spicy oak.
Comments Off on Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Mount Barker (Great Southern) Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
“A serious, text book, pinot noir,” commented one judge. Attractive oak driven aromas and delicate sweet berry fruit flavours nicely integrated with the oak and tannins.
Comments Off on Home Hill Kelly’s Reserve Tasmania Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Fine grained smoky oak lifts off the nose and mingles with wild strawberry-like fruit which flows through to the palate. Gorgeous mouthfeel. Interesting wine.
Comments Off on Shadowfax Winery Little Hampton Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A classy vibrant wine! The nose exhibits forest floor and dried herb characters and has a warm generous palate with lingering red berry and rhubarb flavours.
Comments Off on Ceres Artists Collection Inlet Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019