Author Archives: Jeremy Pringle

2012 Smith & Hooper Reserve Merlot

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

From Wrattonbully , a region which appears to have developed the reputation of being the poor man’s Coonawarra. With names like Tapanappa and Terre à Terre making their mark that may all change. This Merlot is more perfunctory than ‘Reserve’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Merlot, Wrattonbully | Tagged | 3 Comments

2012 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

My fascination with Shiraz from the Great Southern GI continues unabated. Its isolation may slow progress to an extent but I feel strongly that it will one day produce some of the leading examples of the grape in Australia. Deep, … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Southern, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | Comments Off

2012 Frankland Estate Olmo’s Reward

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

No Merlot for Olmo in 2012. The Cabernet Franc was deemed to be too high quality. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot remain in the mix. Wonderful Franc perfume. Fresh red fruits, brown grass, capsicum, spice, tree bark and violets – … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet et al, Cabernet Franc et al | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Tscharke Matching Socks Touriga

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Many varying opinions about Touriga as a table wine variety when speaking to McLaren Vale and Barossa vignerons. Some very positive, others not so much. The latter feel it can get jammy and simple. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve tasted so … Continue reading →

Posted in Barossa, Touriga | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Rorschach Wine Co. Pinot Noir

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

I’m not as fond of the inaugural Rorschach Wine Co. Pinot as I am the Chardonnay. Syrupy and medicinal cherry aromas. Lipstick, putty and make-up on the palate. Strange descriptors to some but that’s what I’m getting. It’s actually not … Continue reading →

Posted in Mornington Peninsula, Pinot Noir | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Rorschach Wine Co. Chardonnay

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

A new player on the Mornington Peninsula. Great packaging. And that’s what matters. Solids funk, yoghurt and cheese lees with a chunk of slightly raw yet biscuity oak. The fruit is fresh and vital underneath; Nashi pear, peach, nuts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Manners Hilltops Shiraz

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Strikes me as a superhero type label. And for a producer I’m unaware of it’s a superhero type price. Will it be Iron Man or the Green Lantern? Has all those Hilltops blueberries on the nose and palate. Black cherry, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hilltops, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 3 Comments

2013 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

The most famous of the Frankland Estate Rieslings and one of the better known Great Southern examples of the variety full stop. Slatey and pure. Green apple skins, lemons, basil and citrus zest. Sheer mineral precision and extension. One for … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Southern, Riesling | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Frankland Estate Poison Hill Vineyard Riesling

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Each of these three Frankland Estate single vineyard Rieslings lie within a 25km radius. Another exercise in distilled terroir. Australian Riesling is an easier grape to apply the ‘minimal intervention’ tagline to…for the most part. Granular pear marks the wine. … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Southern, Riesling | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Frankland Estate Netley Road Vineyard Riesling

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

From vines planted in 1968 according to the bottle and 1966 according to the website. Apparently recently renamed Justin’s Vineyard in honour of founder John Justice Roche. I wonder if the Netley Road moniker will be dropped come future vintages. … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Southern, Riesling | Tagged | Comments Off