Michael Hall Chardonnay 2008

Michael is not adverse to taking risks as he quit a lucrative job valuing jewellery in Switzerland and making wine at Rocland in the Barossa to pursue his own label.  I would put this fairly in the same class as Savaterre (94pts) and Giaconda (95pts) from the 2008 vintage.  Benchmark Chardonnay comes to mind.

Michael Hall Chardonnay 2008

Beautifully constructed and masterfully controlled along every inch of my mouth.  The wine is definitely in the savoury end of the spectrum, with toasted honey almonds, lemon pie, grapefruit and spicy nectarine. It has richness but the mouthwatering acidity pulls everything back together.

Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $40
Rated: 93
Drink: 2015 - 2020

Tyrrell's HVD Late Bottling Trial Semillon 1999

This will be monumental with extra time in the bottle! 

Tyrrell's HVD Late Bottling Trial Semillon 1999

Can I ask whether floridity is a word as it's underlined in my notes.  What I think I meant was masses of flowers flow across my taste buds.  Well, it took a day for this to open up a bit so you have either cellared it or opened it early before serving. There is also cut grass, lemon pip, lemon myrtle and honeysuckle with a peach fluff texture on a brilliantly long palate. 

Alcohol: 10.5%
Price: $40
Rated: 92
Drink: 2017 - 2030

Moorilla Estate Muse Riesling 2010

Continuing on with the natural wine making theme this is kept on skins and lees stirred to develop texture and flavour.  It's amazing how many wines I have tasted lately that I've found out are made with such care. 

Moorilla Estate Riesling 2010

This wine is pungent with petrol, lemon pip and spicy lime oil but the flavour drops away a bit from the front to the back end of the palate.  Hopefully this will fill out in the bottle. Nice now but not for the long haul.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $25
Rated: 86
Drink: 2014 - 2018

Chartogne-Taillet Saint Anne NV

The village of Merfy has a huge population of 660 residents. It's a wonder that any of their wine makes it out the village with that number of people.  I think the first place I'd like to visit again is Champagne as I could drink this all the time.  I feel happy when I drink it.

Image from Local Property

I think my wife would love to move over for the picturesque views and a glass of champagne.  Normally she drinks quite slowly but she devoured 2 1/2 glasses of this before my mate and I had finished our first.  Always a good recommendation.

Chartogne-Taillet Saint Anne NV

The wine is a real conundrum as there is richness with lightness all wrapped up in one which leaves you feeling refreshed.  It's the sort of Champagne that I would buy a case of come November and drink all of it by New Years day. Well you have to leave one for breakfast New Years morning to start the year off.  There is class and sophistication written all over this with its apple tart, lemon preserve, smoked almonds, brioche and toffee strawberries tumbling over each other to get to the back of your palate. Beautifully long and seductive.  The sort of thing that would sit fantastically as an entry level French Champagne on a smart wine list.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $70
Rated: 93
Drink: Now or later what ever you like!
Importer: Eurocentric Wine