Category Archives: Adelaide Hills

2013 Michael Hall Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Not of the same standard as the excellent 2012 but a good wine nonetheless. Sixteen hours skin contact, wild yeast fermented with 70% in French barriques and the remainder in stainless steel. Three months on lees. Lemons, gooseberry, nettles, herbs … Continue reading

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2012 Longview Adelaide Hills Cabernet Shiraz

A blend of 65% Cabernet and 35% Shiraz. Has won a bit of bling in Australia and abroad, most notably a gold at the 2013 Royal National Wine Show of Australia Blackcurrant, raspberry, mint and herbs. Rugged tannin and shrill, … Continue reading

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2013 Jacob’s Creek Adelaide Hills Reserve Chardonnay

Jacob’s Creek’s Reserve Chardonnay has been battling it out with the Penfolds Thomas Hyland Chardonnay in the widely available, high value stakes for the last few years. I haven’t tasted the 2013 Thomas Hyland yet but this is a touch … Continue reading

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2012 Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, I’ve spent three days with it and the awkward, sour and pointy acidity has remained steadfast throughout that time. Otherwise it’s mulberry and blackberry flavoured with a good chunk of clove and choc-vanilla oak. Some mint too. Sweet and … Continue reading

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2012 La Linea Tempranillo

My relationship with Australian Tempranillo has been uneasy at times but I’m beginning to warm to some of the examples that are crossing my path. This 2012 La Linea from the Adelaide Hills is a case in point. It’s quite … Continue reading

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2013 La Linea Tempranillo Rosé

Easily the most accomplished of a bracket of Rosé tasted single blind over Xmas. Widely available too. Paler in hue than the bottle image suggests. Aromas of red cherry, roses and apples. The palate adds a fine line of citrus-tinged acidity that runs through … Continue reading

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2013 Longview Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

This has picked up bronze and silver medals at various wine shows so some people have given it props. I can’t see the quality myself. 72% Semillon, 28% Sauvignon. Smells of parsley, lemongrass and snow peas alongside citrus and passionfruit. Flavour … Continue reading

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2012 Longline Blood Knot Shiraz

The second of two inaugural releases for the Longline label, brought to you by Paul Carpenter of Wirra Wirra fame. A quarter of the grapes come from a vineyard in the Adelaide Hills about four kilometres from Wirra Wirra with the rest sourced from … Continue reading

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2010 Longview Devil’s Elbow Cabernet Sauvignon

Big boy Cabernet from the Adelaide Hills. Not my cup of tea but its sheer ballsy-ness will win many over. Loaded up with clove spiced chocolate malted milkshake oak for extra oomph. Buckets of blackcurrants, menthol and licorice with some Black Ox pouch … Continue reading

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2012 Shaw + Smith Shiraz

For my money, this has become one of the more anticipated Australian releases each calendar year. The 2006 and 2010 vintages were excellent and this is of a similar standard. When it shows a little black and white pepper you … Continue reading

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