Sevenhill Dr John May Shiraz 2009

Rizza rains supreme in Clare.

Sevenhill Dr John May Shiraz 2009

Massive full bodied wine but I can understand what they tried to achieve. The wine spent two years in bottle before release which means it would have spent two years in 100% new French oak prior to bottling. The winemakers at Sevenhill, I think, were trying to add impact into the wine but what has happened is a full bodied wine that lacks a bit of freshness and lift. The flavours are of currents, blackberry jam, dark chocolate with a little plum mints in the middle that is fully open and ready to go. The wine is nice'n'soft, cuddly and hides its alcohol well. I was left thinking after a glass, where is the spine of the wine. What would the wine have looked like picked a bit earlier? Who will know.

Alcohol: 15.5%
Price: $75
Rated: 85
Drink: Now - 2017

Shinas Estate The Guilty 2012

I was speaking to the owner of a wine store what was his best selling wine and he took me to this wine. I can see why people like it.

 

The packaging is pure brilliance as the owner is involved with the law court and makes this wine in a style he like. Luckily the punters like it as well.

 

Shinas Estate The Guilty 2012

 

You get plenty of very ripe Shiraz flavours in this beast. It is flooded with oak and heat but the fruits flavours of raisons, brown sugar and blackberry jam almost keep up with it.  Made for lover of ultra full bodied beasts at a low price.

 

Alc: 15.8%

Price: $15.60

Rated: 81

Drink: Now

 

La La Land Malbec 2013

A new label that I have never seen and what a pretty one it is. It is very eye catching yet still retains a sense of elegance and fun. The brand is owned by the Wingara Wine group which controls Katnook Estate, Deakin Estate and Cracker Jack. THis new brand seems to focus on the more alternative varieties which is always a good thing.

La La Land Malbec 2013

The wine starts very slowly but eventually unfurls with red-berries leading the way. Well it is more strawberry jam and raisons with red licorice, chocolate chips and plums kicking in on the mid-palate. The flavours are well balanced by a ripe tannin profile that sort of lifts everything up. The structure is dry with savoury intent. A great new label and I must try the Tempranillo.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $17
Rated: 87
Drink: Now - 2020

Soumah Savarro 2014

Savagnin, the variety that works well in Australia but took a bit of a hit after the stuff  up with its name. This wine is leading the way for a return. The grapes for this wine were picked at a low baume and allowed to ferment in tank and spend time in contact with lees before being bottled. If they wanted to they could ferment some in oak which would add texture without taking away from the freshness of the flavours. It's just a suggestion, not a criticism.

Soumah Savarro 2014

This has great aromatic but it is the burst of minerality and light fresh flavours that works best. The flavours come rolling in with lemon balm, fresh pear juice and spring blossom with a hint of lime acidity and orange skin on the back palate. The wine is a little coiled up in the structure but it will open up with a little time in the cellar.

Alcohol:
Price: $26
Rated: 92
Drink: 2015 +

Croci Colli Piacentini Monterosso Val D'Arda sur lie Spontaneamente Frizzante 2012

Whoa that is a long name! The wine is made from three varieties and undergoes bottle fermentation. The is a blend of Malvasia, Trebbiano and Marsanne which makes this very different beast.


Croci Colli Piacentini Monterosso Val D'Arda sur lie Spontaneamente Frizzante 2012

This is a sparkling orange wine that is alive and kicking. It has a unique profile of banana skin, apple cider, baked pear and spice with a slight tannin dryness that is running through the wine. The bubbles are fine and are balanced well by the flavours. I liked this a lot but it did have a few people that thought it wasn't wine. Open your mind and you will be amazed.

Alcohol:
Price:
Rated: 90
Drink: Now

Paradigm Hill L'ami Sage Pinot Noir 2012

For a winery that only produces about 1500 cases this winery puts out some brilliant wines. This wine underwent 7 days cold soak before being allowed to warm up and undergo wild fermentation. The cold soak allows for better retention of colour and flavour. All hands on processes that these utilise.

Paradigm Hill L'ami Sage Pinot Noir 2012

Tight? Yes. Pretty? Yes. Good value? Yes. The wine has a very European feel about it with a drive of acidity pulling everything together. The tannins are light but evident and mouth filling which suggest that they will open out in time. At the moment the flavours are in the dirty darker territory with dark cherries, plums with dried clay and fresh cut herbs rolling around. These flavours are only medium bodied on a spectacularly long palate length. Beautiful.

Alcohol: 13.3%
Price: $66
Rated: 93
Drink: 2016 - 2026

Unico Zelo Fiano 2014 & Jericho Wines Fiano 2014

These two wines are almost polar opposites in flavour spectrum and texture. The area of the Riverland is hot, let us put that upfront to start with but it seems to be finding a beautiful home to some of the more interesting varieties that are coming out. On the other hand the Adelaide Hills has been planting the Italian varieties for a while now. I was speaking to a group of wine makers from around the country and all but one said that Fiano, Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Nero d'Avola are good but they need to plant more in the cooler areas, such as the Adelaide Hills, to see what the variety can do. I think they were talking about marginal areas.

Jericho Wines Fiano 2014

The grapes for this wine were pressed straight to tank and allowed to undergo fermentation. The wine spent minimal time in contact with lees before being bottled. The wine feels very ripe with flavours of SPC mixed tinned fruits, think peach, apricots,  rock melon and candied limes. The flavours are full on but the wine does not possess much texture or structure. It is easy to drink and makes me feel it is built for now.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $25
Rated: 86
Drink: Now - 2016

Unico Zelo Fiano 2014

The vineyard for this wine has produced a textural wine that looks more like a European style than the Australian ones. From the outset the texture is the most appealing thing that lingers and coats the front and mid-palate of my mouth. The wine is released too early and means that the flavour or experience of the wine is cut short. The flavours are in the typical Fiano spectrum with pears and honey mixed with fresh cut herbs and lemon zest. The acidity holds the wine together and keeps it pert from the get go. One of the best Fiano's on the market from a new producer.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $22
Rated: 91 +
Drink: 2015 - 2025

Fiano x 6

Fiano in Australia seems to be doing pretty well. Most of the better examples coming from the warmer areas, except Scott which comes from the Adelaide Hills.

Pikes Wines Luccio Fiano 2014

Really candied fruit profile but in the typical Fiano flavour, just a bit too candied or fairy floss in nature. Think about the flavours in terms of peach and nectarines with an ok mouth feel adding interest. The length is a little short but hopefully will fill out with some time in the bottle.

Alcohol:
Price: $18
Rated: 84
Drink: Now - 2019

Beach Road Wines Fiano 2013

Big end of town with flavours of apple cider and poached peach making its impact felt. The wine lack a bit of freshness but it does have impact. I'm not sure how long it will last but I would recommend drinking it sooner rather than later.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $25
Rated: 85
Drink: Now - 2016

 



Scott Wines Fiano 2014

Yes baby this is what I'm talking about with a very good balance between flavour and texture. The flavours come in the form of honey, spice and hay mixed with nectarines and lemon acidity. The Scott wine is a lighter profiled wine with nice texture and liveliness brimming throughout. The texture comes in the form mouth feel and dryness which makes this wine so easy to drink bucket loads of.

Alcohol: 13
Price: $26
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

 

 

Savina Lane Wines Fiano Classico 2013

I've never tasted a wine from the Granite belt but I didn't think they could produce a wine like this. It has a great retention of acidity on a palate that is textural and thick but has a liveliness to it. I couldn't fault the palate length and detailed profile.

Alcohol:
Price: $35
Rated: 92
Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

Oliver's Taranga Fiano 2014

 

 

Bursting with richness and firm acidity that just comes balling out of the glass. The textural level is up further on this wine than the rest of the Fiano's so far but it is perfectly balanced by the acidity. The acidity has a flavour of lemon skin and this perfectly offsets the spiciness of the wine. There is some fruit to the wine but I don't really care to mention it because my glass is empty and I'm heading to the fridge for another glass.

 

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $24
Rated: 91
Drink: Now - 2026

 

 

Coriole Vineyards Fiano 2014

 

 

This is very complex with mandarin, warm honey, hay and some stone fruit or fruit salad component. The textural element is bombastic and brilliant which would put this the best textural Fiano on the market. Love it!

 

Alcohol:

Price: $25

Rated: 93

Drink: Now - 2024

 

 

 

 



Zilzie Wines Bulloak Sauvignon Blanc 2013

I like the food matching that the Zilzie website say should go well with this wine, Avocado and lettuce food cups. I haven't had those since my mate mum made them for use when we came home from school when I was in junior school.


Zilzie Wines Bulloak Sauvignon Blanc 2013

The wine was harvested in the cool of the night to retain natural acidity, is the note on the website which sounds all well and good but almost all the machine harvesting takes place at night. The fruit comes in cool with better balance than harvesting during the day. A good marketing tool but almost all the bigger wineries could have that on their website. What does the wine taste like? Pretty simple with a sweet tropical nose that has a not bad entry but sort of stops there. The wine is built for general quaffing and would be easy to drink if you like it a little sweeter.

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: RRP $12.90 but you should be able to pick it up for under 9
Rated: 81
Drink: Now

Annie's Lane Shiraz 2013

This wine is a mainstream cheaper Shiraz that can be bought most places, especially from the larger liquor stores, at often discounted prices. I don't really care what the RRP is, just what can I get it at and what is the quality like?


Annie's Lane Shiraz 2013

The oak for this wine sits firmly in the background but I assume that it sees a fare amount of older oak. Well I hope the winery doesn't use too much new oak as this wine is for drinking and enjoying sooner. That still the wine will happily sit in the cellar for a few years but I would be opening them now. The wine is medium bodied with chocolate moments mixed with cinnamon, spice, plum and a minty edge. These flavours sit on a light and fluffy tannin structure that only just adds to the overall appeal of the wine. For a wine that sits at between 9 to 15 bucks it is very good and much better than the last time I tried the Annie's Lane Shiraz.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $11 (you will have to shop around but just kick it into google and you should be good.)
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2017

Gravner Ribolla Gialla Anfora 2006

The area of Friuli Venezia Giulia is located on the north eastern corner of Italy bordering Slovenia and Austria. While many consider his winery the birth place of natural wine he makes quality wine with the addition of sulpur. He is more of a proponent of expressing the vineyard by any means possible than adhering to any ideological doctrine .


Gravner Ribolla Gialla Anfora 2006

The weight of the orange wines are definitely in the red wine end of the spectrum and this is no different. Well except for the fact it is more polish and higher quality than any other wine of this style I have tasted. The wine was fermented in clay amphora's for one year before being transferred to barrel. These extended maceration white wines need a long time to show their full potential which means only the best grape will handle the amount of time required.

On the nose this smells of shoe polish, sea spray and an open fire. You know the one you used to make when you went camping with your teachers on that school trip you had to do once a year. Once the wine hit my palate the intensity and textural element takes over. The thickness of the wine, along with the tannin profile, are balanced well by nice acidity on a monumentally long palate length.

Just for my own memory the flavours that I listed are as follows; warm honey, dried orange peel, gun powder, poached apricots, fresh hay and Indian spice. Perfectly balanced.

Alcohol: ?
Price: ?
Rated: 96
Drink: Now - ?
Importer: Addley Clark Fine Wines

d'Arenberg Sticks & Stones 2010

Some winery's have kept their stock back to allow the wine to show well on release. I prefer this as too many wineries are releasing their 2014 reds now at premium prices. Chester has kept a level head and thrown this out to the public.

Does anyone remember that 2010 was heralded as a brilliant vintage? So many brilliant vintages have past since then but the 2010s are looking good, specially from d'Arenberg that is.

d'Arenberg Sticks & Stones 2010

This wine is a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Souzao and Tinto Cao which seems to embrace all the cool varieties that are kicking around. The blend offers red and darker fruits with a rustic note from the mid-palate. There is also those lovely McLaren Vale licorice and red lipstick character on a medium bodied weight and structured palate.  This is the style I would like to drink during the week as it offers interest and savouriness with an ease of flavours that flow. I would rate this higher once the oak is fully integrated but I would bother as d'Arenberg has already held it back for a few years.

Alcohol: 13.9%
Price: $30
Rated: 87
Drink: Now - 2017

 

Great new labels. It reminds me of an abstract piece of work or a witch that has just thrown the bones on the floor to see her future.

Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon 2014

The vintage conditions for this wine were perfect but it is the change in how the grapes are harvested which is most impressive. Hand harvested at night with head lights. What the.......? This practise retains more natural acidity and works brilliant here.

Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon 2014

Don't tell anyone but this is mind blowing brilliant. At the moment the wine is coiled up in it self but the length is monumental and the flavours spread out wide. Forget about what the wine tastes like now as it will require 10 in the cellar to show a little of its true colours. What the cool liquid bliss provides from the get go is intensity then it just keeps on pulling long and slowly up my tongue. While this next part is an exaggeration it makes a point. I feel like I could watch the whole of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended version) on only a few sips off this beautiful beauty and it would still be there after the movie finished. Just Bliss nothing more or less.

Alcohol: 10.8%
Price: $30
Rated: 95++
Drink: 2024 - 2044

 

Image from Thomas Wines

d'Arenberg The Coppermine Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Cabernet is supposed to be medium to full bodied with plenty of tannin and acidity to coil the flavours up tight. In it's youth it can be unforgiving to drink but given enough time in the cellar it can turn into such a beauty that would flaw you.

The Vales can produce beautiful Cabernet but sometimes the full on flavours turn more towards dry red. The Coppermine wine is aged in French oak, mostly new, and is a selection of the best barrels of the vintage.

d'Arenberg  The Coppermine Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

"I wanna to be a baller, shot caller, twenty inch blade on the impala" comes rolling in my mind as I taste this as there is masses of chocolate, licorice and blackcurrant essence coming on straight from the first sip. The wine is intense with the flavours hitting hard but they tell a story of the vintage. There is enough length and precision to pull this off but I would like a little more savoury edges to round off a Cabernet.

The oak is already absorbed into the background, indicting that it would be possible to open it now, but I would allow the wine to sit for a few years to hopefully allow the profile to change. If you drink now open with guests as it looks good in a dry red style.


Alcohol: 14.2%
Price: $65
Rated: 91
Drink: 2016+

Gatt Wines Accent Tempranillo 2012

The Barossa can be a bit hit and miss when it comes to Tempranillo.

Gatt Wines Accent Tempranillo 2012

No good. Nuff said.

Alcohol:
Price: $20
Rated: 78
Drink: Now

Ducks in a Row Pandora's Amphora 2012

The wine here was inspired by the T'Gallant Claudius white wine on skins which was inturn inspired by Gravner. The grapes are hand picked from the Charmers vineyard in Heathcote and fermented together in a clay pot that has been sealed up after ferment finished. The grapes are pressed off after about 8 months into a used puncheon before going to bottle.

Ducks in a Row Pandora's Amphora 2012

The wine is rather clear and light for what I was expecting was an orange wine. I guess as it hasn't spent much time in contact with oxygen has resulted in a texture wine that doesn't possess those more extreme moments like Gravner's wines. On the nose there is some beautiful aromatics but the palate works better. There are moments of savoury fruits, think peaches and nectarines, mixed with spring flowers, honey and gunmetal. The palate weight is thick but it is balanced by acidity and a fine degree of tannins. These tannins are light, supple and sit firmly under the flavour.

Well done and such a difference for a Heathcote white wine.

Alcohol:
Price: $90
Rated: 93
Drink: Now - 2020

Mayford Wines Tempranillo 2013

Tempranillo is a tough variety to work with for a couple of reasons. One, Australia is only just finding out where it needs to grow, we are only just getting access to quality clones and it takes a while to work out how to grow the thing well.  Mayford have been having a go for a while now and they are quality focused.

There vines are situated near the Ovens River and the grapes received a cold soak before they were allowed to warm up and ferment wildly. All very hands on practises.

Mayford Wines Tempranillo 2013

There is a lovely pepperiness to this wines that is beautiful before the normal savoury earthy cherry and wave of all types of spices kicks in. My notepad ran out so all I have down is cumin, black pepper, fennel seed and paprika but you get the gist. The tannins are light, bright and fluffy which adds length and texture. My only hold back is the alcohol that comes through on the back palate. That said it is the best Australian Tempranillo that I have tried and compared to the Spanish is rather cheap.


Alcohol: 14%
Price: $36
Rated: 93
Drink: Now - 2023

Gledhill Vignerons Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

John Gledhill planted his Cabernet vineyard in 1994 in Coomealla which is near the township of Mildura.  He treats the vines pretty mean, especially when you consider the way they treat the grapes around him. Once harvested the grapes are transported down to the Vales where they are processed and transformed into wine and allowed to slumber in quality French oak.


Gledhill Vignerons Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

This smells like good Cabernet which is a good start. What is most appealing is the fact it tastes like a good Coonawarra Cabernet but from a warmer climate. The area near Mildura doesn't really take me in terms of Cabernet but this block only crops at 2 tonne an acre. The flavours are intense with moments of blackcurrants, savoury mulch and spice on a medium bodied frame and nice acidity. While the wine isn't ready to drink now it does offer great drinking at cheap prices.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $25
Rated: 89+
Drink: 2018 +

First Drop Wines Vivo Arneis 2014

Arneis is fast becoming a go to style for me. It has flavour, in the light and refreshing manner, with nice structure and works well over the hotter months when the fish dishes are flowing. The First Drop Vivo comes from the Adelaide Hills and is treated pretty simply. It is picked in the cool of the night then transported to the winery where it is pressed straight to tank. It has three to four months on lees before being filtered to bottle. Bang, it is in the stores ready for spring. Bring that on.

First Drop Wines Vivo Arneis 2014

The wine has a roundness to it which gives it a textural element but otherwise it is all about the citrus tang. There is a hint of pear on the front palate but it doesn't really matter as it is so easy to down a glass or two without noticing. A summer wine that has a more savoury profile than the tropical Sav Blancs and is easy to down with food.

Alcohol: ?
Price: $25
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2019

ReWine Saggio Nebbiolo Nuovo 2013

Gundagai can't grow quality grapes. Well I thought so until I tasted this. The town is located in New South Wales and is renowned for it bush rangers. They have run the area with their most notable ranger being Ned Kelly. I will watch out if I don't like this wine next year.

ReWine Saggio Nebbiolo Nuovo 2013

My god this is good. light in colour but a dirty cherry bomb. There is a little bubble gum action but the tannin profile and the length are brilliant.  The tannins are tannins are light but prevalent and the acidity pulls it into very long territory. I didn't try it with food but i would love to see what it could do. An earlier drinking number with easy of flavour and style.

Who thought Gundagai could produce such a wine? Not me as I haven't heard much but I will look now.

Alcohol:
Price: $15
Rated: 92
Drink: Now - 2024

Beach Road Wines Nero d'Avola 2013

McLaren Vale Nero is one of the best places in Australia to find the variety.


Beach Road Wines Nero d'Avola 2013

Burnt rubber and candied fruit. Not great and not what this variety should be. Only a touch of cherries but it is dominated by an undrinkable character.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $45
Rated: 83
Drink: Now

Salena Estate Wines Ink Series Rosato di Sangiovese 2014

Salena Estate is located in the Riverland in South Australia. They are farmed organically with a mix of traditional and alternative varieties.


Salena Estate Wines Ink Series Rosato di Sangiovese 2014

What a lovely light coloured savoury style wine with delicate flavours. It does have a punch of intensity with cherries, spice and tart cranberries. These flavours are savoury with not a moment of sweetness. It is long in the mouth and easy to drink a lot of. This wine would smash it out over summer and would pair perfectly with salads and lighter meals.The colour is pale and it gives notice that the wine will be more refined and European in nature. Love it.

Alcohol: ?
Price: $20
RAted: 88
Drink: now - 2017