Category Archives: Adelaide Hills

2009 d’Arenberg The Last Ditch Viognier

I’ve got a whole bunch of d’Arenberg reviews to get up on site but I’d like to start with this one as it was such a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting so much freshness from a three-year old Viognier. It seems … Continue reading

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2010 Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir

My struggles with Adelaide Hills Pinot continue. This is fine. Good even…but I’d hoped for more from a promising vintage. Full of cherries and strawberries. Some woodsy characters but in general it’s sweet and very approachable. It did get more savoury … Continue reading

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Shaw + Smith Chardonnay Summit 2012

Or workshop. But I think summit sounds far more exciting and important. Yesterday, Michael Hill Smith MW and David LeMire MW dropped by Brisbane with a swag of Chardonnay covering the Adelaide Hills, the Mornington Peninsula, the Margaret River, Tasmania … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Burgundy, Chablis, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , | 3 Comments

2010 Some Young Punks Taken Brave Chardonnay

I’ve steered clear of these Some Young Punks wines for a while now. I dislike the labels. Their faux hipster-ism irks me. Anyway, that’s hardly a good reason not to have a look at them. A restrained limey nose with … Continue reading

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2010 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay

High expectations can be a curse. I was chomping at the bit to get a look at the new Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay. A hyped vintage and some early critical acclaim seemed to indicate that this may indeed be … Continue reading

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2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay

I haven’t engaged in my traditional hunt for bargain Chardonnay thrills that much this summer – a sign that I’ve been spoilt in drinking terms. The budget end of the market now calls and this Jacob’s Creek Reserve is okay … Continue reading

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Wirra Wirra’s Woodhenge Cup: Stay Low and Pull don’t Push

Adelaide Here I am, living in Australia, writing about wine, talking about terroir and until earlier this month I’d never set foot in South Australia. Heresy! I’ve always been a bookish type, gathering my thoughts and impressions from ‘secondary texts’ but … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Australia, Cabernet et al, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Moscato, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, South Australia, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

2011 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc

I’ve tasted half a dozen 2011 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blancs and to be honest, this is the only one that has really deserved to be written up. A challenging vintage? Lovely clean acidity underpins passionfruit, guava and grapefruit. It’s punchy … Continue reading

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2010 Mike Press Shiraz

In so many ways this is the Shiraz I was hoping Mike Press would make. Noticeably reduced oak input, oodles of cool climate spice, as much emphasis on structure as generosity of flavour. It’s just a touch too awkward at … Continue reading

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2009 Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay

Adelaide Hills 13.5% Screwcap $38 Please excuse a rash of Chardonnay reviews on this site…or feel free to revel in them. With World Chardonnay day having just passed I have quite a number to cover. I think I’ll stick to … Continue reading

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