Last year’s release of this picked up plenty of praise and accolades. I only tried it briefly at the New Generation Hunter Valley pop up bar…which happens to be heading Brisbane way again shortly. A big recommendation from me to get along to that. Heaps of fun, winemakers pouring and ready to answer your questions plus plenty of great wine.
Anyway, the follow-up is bloody tasty gear. Will age a treat too. It’s purple and blue fruited with beautiful violet florals that have marked every vintage I’ve tasted going back to 2007. Some sweet Hunter earth on show here too. Oak certainly plays its part, both texturally and flavour-wise. It’s of the coffee cream variety but it doesn’t overwhelm some kick arse grapes. Acid and tannin share the structural load fairly evenly and there’s some pepper and clove spice on a distinguished finish.
Thommo’s humbuckers meet medium bodied Hunter Valley elegance. Or maybe a bit more than medium bodied but so well-balanced and delicious that you just don’t notice. Excellent
Region: Hunter Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Tasted: April 2012
Now, that does sound good. To me, it’s the best of the Thomas reds from a personal preference + price = great value perspective. I just bought 12 of his reds (3 of each) for $420, which makes this $28. The problem is that, after tasting one bottle, I’ll probably want another two, as I’ve done with the ’07 and ’09. And there’s the Motel Block too …
Humbuckers? Have you been playing a Les Paul Special??
MichaelC
$28 for a wine of this quality is pretty damn impressive. Reckon the Motel Block might suck you in too.
Humbuckers? Musically speaking I’m almost always single coil
You were right on the money with this. Super stuff. Loved it. Typed up some crap about it on the Wine Front, under the 2009 release – and acknowledged your sagacity there.
Looking forward to the others. Where’s your Kiss review. Don’t be so lazy! : )
MichaelC
I’ve just opened the Kiss especially for you Michael
Of course, I’ll need to taste it over three days before publishing a review but let me say that it looks promising – I actually prefer it to the 09…so far.
Ps- thanks for the kind words. I have been a little lazy this week but I’ll start picking up the pace by Thursday. Too much lag on too many reviews to be lazy for long!
Cheers
J
Mr Thomas actually said to me, in an email, that it could be fair to say that the 2010 are a point behind the 2009s. From the evidence so far, I’m almost inclined to say that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about! I didn’t LOVE the 2009 Kiss (tasted it twice) on release, though have two cellared of course, so I’ll be VERY interested to see what 2010 holds.
MichaelC
Never trust the winemaker
I’ve only tasted the 09 Kiss once (over two days) and I have this 2010 ahead of it. Prefer the oak treatment (maybe it’s exactly the same oak regime but it works better with the fruit in this release). Mind you, when we’re talking about one point’s difference then I’m not entirely sure it matters. Especially at the level these wines reach.