Posted: March 7, 2019
This wine is a generosity of black fruits, licorice, spices and oak with a drying tannic finish.
Comments Off on Haselgrove Wines Twist McLaren Vale Primitivo 2015 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
The nose is complex and mature but still has subtle fruit characters. Nicely aged palate with delicious layers of fruit. Tight finish. “A good Aussie Claret.”
Comments Off on Greenock Estate Yellow Fish 666 Barossa Valley Cabernet Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Chocolaty cassis aromas with cough drop like notes. Complex palate, some great fruit well integrated with the oak and tight tannins. Still has plenty of years left in it yet.
Comments Off on Reillys Dry Land Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Ripe Satsuma plum bouquet with an attractive richness of floral cherry flavours.
Comments Off on Lindsay Wine Estate Barossa Valley Merlot 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
A wine with a massive colour, syrupy fruit, huge oak characters, attractive spiciness, bacon fat like savoury notes and big tannins.
Comments Off on Lindsay Wine Estate Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Very elegant nose with beautiful toasty oak and ripe bright blackberry fruit. The lush silky smooth palate with excellent intensity and length of plum-like flavours with supporting oak.
Comments Off on Bendbrook Wines Goat Track Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Still amazingly fresh lifted cabernet fruit aromas with a sweet oak background and lovely palate still looking fresh and youthful with nice tannin structure. “Classy!”
Comments Off on Bendbrook Wines Pound Road Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
“An awesome wine!” It is tight and elegant showing incredible depth of red hues with lifted complexity of rich ripe shiraz fruit and well handled cedary oak.
Comments Off on Bendbrook Wines Goat Track Reserve Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Subtle menthol notes to the chocolaty aromas and a rich “complete” palate showing great varietal fruit expression with some lovely fine tannins. An excellent wine.
Comments Off on Bendbrook Wines Section 19 Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
A mature, complex and yeasty nose with an attractive complexity of smoky/meaty flavours.
Comments Off on Chandon Vintage Brut Whitlands Strathbogie Yarra Valley Methode Traditionelle 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Fragrances of citrus and stonefruit. Quite an estery palate with powerful flavours and a sweet finish.
Comments Off on Weingut Weszeli Schenkenbichl 1OTW Kamptal DAC Gruner Veltliner 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Bright apple bouquet with slight herbaceousness. Great balance of lively stonefruit, pear and apple-like flavours. Great tannic grip and a honey driven finish.
Comments Off on Weingut Tom Dockner Ried Hochschopf Traisental Gruner Veltliner 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
Spicy earthy nose showing some age with pears, apples and peppers on a maturing palate.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Family Estate Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: January 12, 2019
A complexity of dried herbs, lemon peel and some tropical fruit aromas. Palate shows some age with loads of citrus and some tannins.
Comments Off on Hahndorf Hill Gru Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner 2015 / 0 View / January 12, 2019
Posted: November 7, 2018
A succinct comment from one judge here was – “Yes please!” A beautiful wine with lovely varietal complexity, earthy nuances and good length of firm and chewy tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Bright purple wine showing “Some real power and depth,” according to one judge. But it is still stylish and silky with excellent freshness of strawberry-like aromas and flavours.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A complexity of spicy varietal fruit, fresh sweet oak and a “whisper” of sweet and sour cherry characters with the tannins contributing to the overall length.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Estery berry bouquet and flavours of poached fruits and quinces. Will improve with more age.
Comments Off on d’Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A massive super ripe style of shiraz that’s a powerful mix of tar, licorice, burnt fig and some blackberry fruit characters. Lots of oak and lashings of tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Eisenstone Greenock Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Huge, hot and showing some age. Big hit of savoury oak on the nose and palate with great texture enhancing the fullness. 5+
Comments Off on Gomersal Wines Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this Crownthorpe-grown red was matured for a year in new to two year-old French oak casks. Ruby hued, with moderately youthful colour, it is lively, with good depth of plum, berry and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a…
Comments Off on Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Looking for a good, affordable syrah? This skilfully crafted red has bright, youthful colour, good density of ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and a well-rounded finish. Drink now or cellar. $22
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Built for cellaring, this ‘old vine’ Gimblett Gravels red was barrique-matured. Deep and bright in colour, with a fragrant, plummy, peppery bouquet, it is a full-bodied, clearly varietal wine, concentrated, savoury, complex and structured. Best drinking 2021+. $55
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth Cru Omahu Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering very good value, this is an ageworthy blend of cabernet sauvignon (53%) and merlot (47%). The colour is deep and bright; the palate full-bodied and refined, with concentrated berry, plum and spice flavours, complex, savoury and structured. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Set for the long haul, this bold 70/30 blend was matured for 18 months in French oak casks (35% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is full-bodied, with highly concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, braced by firm tannins,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This very refined, savoury Gimblett Gravels red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (51%), merlot (27%) and malbec (22%), estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Dark and highly fragrant, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nutty oak…
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to flourish for a decade, this elegant red has deep, youthful colour. Fragrant and supple, with strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated French oak and a savoury, sustained finish, it’s a classic ‘Bordeaux-style’ red, showing impressive complexity…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Cabernet Merlot Franc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this refined, concentrated red was grown in the Omahu Gravels Vineyard and matured for 18 months in French oak casks (28% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is fragrant and supple, with rich, well-ripened plum and spice…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to be long-lived, this full-coloured, Gimblett Gravels red was estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Fragrant, with a warm, ripe, savoury bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, plummy, spicy, nutty flavours, showing excellent structure and complexity, and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Maturing well, this hand-harvested, barrel-aged wine is bright, light lemon/green, fresh and full-bodied. Mouthfilling, it has good intensity of ripe peach and nectarine flavours, oak-derived complexity and a tightly structured finish. Drink now or cellar. $65
Comments Off on Osawa Winemaker’s Collection Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this fresh, youthful wine was estate-grown at Crownthorpe and matured for a year in barrels (partly new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a toasty bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with balanced acidity and strong, peachy, slightly buttery flavours, showing considerable…
Comments Off on Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Full of personality, this classy wine was hand-picked from mature vines in the elevated, inland district of Mangatahi and fermented and aged for 11 months in French oak barriques (35% new). Drinking well now, but worth cellaring, it has a…
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth Cru Mangatahi Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Delicious now, but still developing, this rich, pale straw wine was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak hogsheads (46% new). Mouthfilling, it is weighty and sweet-fruited, with concentrated stonefruit and toasty oak flavours to the fore, and…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard red has a fragrant, savoury, slightly herbal bouquet. Deep ruby, it is full-bodied and smooth, with very satisfying depth of cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing good complexity. $35
Comments Off on Riwaka River Estate Resurgence Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Here’s proof that you can make excellent merlot in the South Island. Hand-picked from 20 year-old vines and barrel-aged for over a year, it has deep, moderately youthful colour. Sturdy, it’s a powerful wine with well-ripened plum, red berry and…
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This is a rare beast – a memorable sauvignon blanc from Central Otago. A single-vineyard wine, estate-grown at Parkburn and barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts, it is fragrant, weighty, concentrated and complex, with deep, ripely herbaceous flavours and a well-rounded, lasting…
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Fume Blanc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
The oak works well here with the ripe berry fruit. High level of acidity and long lingering tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Taylor Made Clare Valley Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Lovely toastiness to the honeyed citrus nose. Nice balance of fresh citrus and bottle age. 5+
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Antonina Clare Valley Riesling 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Savoury, earthy aromas with a violet-like lift and a lightweight palate with dense Maraschino cherry fruit flavours and nice earthy tones.
Comments Off on Longview Riserva Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A light spicy/peppery deep purple wine that is brimming over with ripe juicy black fruit, has some herbs and firm tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Rutherglen Estates Rutherglen Durif 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Nicely structured wine, ageing well with roasted beetroot nose and good varietal flavours.
Comments Off on Bassham Riverland Saperavi 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A fragrance of violets edged with red berries. Firm and grippy in the mouth with dense black fruits. Long life ahead of it!
Comments Off on d’Arenberg The Conscious Biosphere McLaren Vale Aglianico Petit Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Spicy tarry fruit bouquet and an acid dominant palate with juicy rich fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Whistling Kite Biodynamic Riverland Petit Verdot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Developed coffee bouquet with signs of cherries. Tarry, licorice and plum palate.” Looking good,” thought one judge.
Comments Off on Whistling Kite Biodynamic Riverland Montepulciano 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A cherry nose with lifted florals and a palate that is a tad thin with stewed fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Trentham The Family Murray Darling Nebbiolo 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Subtle tropical notes to the nose and a complex palate with lovely unctuous core and mouth filling citrus based flavours.
Comments Off on Vinea Marson Alpine Valleys Pinot Bianco 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018