I enjoyed the 2012 Jilly Nebbiolo and the fruit for this Tempranillo is also sourced from the New England region in northern New South Wales. I like the cloth labels too. Not that that has anything to do with anything really. Just a little insight into my visual sense of aesthetics.
There’s plenty of plump red forest berries on show here. Sweet spice in the form of nutmeg and cinnamon back it up and some tree bark rounds it out. A hint of play-doh aromatically on the first day. Fleshy in the mouth with flavour alternating between sweet unfettered fruit, meaty savouriness and an almost caramel syrup type of character. Not an entirely cohesive set of flavours but fun. The acid is pitched perfectly and the grape skin tannins slightly chewy and very satisfying. Once again the young label shows promise. 88
Region: New England
Alcohol: 12.8%
Closure: Cork
Price: $23
Tasted: September 2013
I concur on the labels. Tactile feel can add an extra layer of appeal. Sounds pretty good when considered all up – reads as at least showing varietal character, more than can be said for some.
If it reads that way I can feel like I’ve done my job. That’s precisely what it is, no more and no less – and that ain’t bad.
Jared Dixon, winemaker at the Clunes General Store and Cellars, had his 2013 Jilly Tempranillo barrelled and bottled in a small cellar behind the store. The grapes are sourced from New England’s Topper’s Mountain Winery where Mark Kirkby, a seriously good viticulturalist, grows fruit that flourishes in New England’s high altitude and basalt soil. The 2013 Jilly Tempranillo has aromas of toast and stewed berries, and is matchable with food in its vegetal silkiness of mushroom and potato on the palate, followed by a warm and generous red jube. The Jilly label is a wrap-around cloth in a hessian colour with red and yellow printing, designed by local graphic artist, Kylie Bridges. Jared uses thick glass bottles imported from France.
Jared has brought out his 2013 Margaret River Chardonnay in a
a different label: F.I.F.O. – because he has to fly in and fly out of upper Wilyabrup, a sub-region of Margaret River, which has perfect growing conditions for Chardy.
Moya – I’ve been impressed by the end product of Mark Kirkby’s work at Topper’s Mountain vineyards but I was unaware that Jared Dixon was using Topper’s Mountain fruit. A smart decision it would seem.