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For Your Pleasure
"For your pleasure
In our present state
Part false part true
Like anything
We present ourselvesThe words we use tumble
All over your shoulder
Gravel hard and looseThere all night lying
With your dark horse hiding
Abhorring such extremes" - Bryan FerryCategories
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Category Archives: Great Southern
2012 Castelli Empirica Tempranillo
The Empirica range from Castelli are small-batch wines made in a more experimental manner than others in the stable. “Lots of lees work and oak treatment across the range.” Intended mostly for on-premise sale. Lifted and densely fruited. Black over red cherry … Continue reading
2012 Alkoomi Frankland River Riesling
The Frankland River subregion of the Great Southern in WA is the northern most inland part of the GI. The wine presents some surprisingly developed notes considering its relatively young age. Wax and a hint of toast already. It is … Continue reading
2012 Howard Park Great Southern Chardonnay
The 2011 Howard Park Chardonnay was a trophy level wine. Vintage conditions haven’t allowed the same level of achievement with this year’s release however it is still rewarding. Just a little less structured and focused is all. Sees 30% new French … Continue reading
2013 Howard Park Great Southern Riesling
The fruit comes predominantly from the Mount Barker subregion of the Great Southern with 10% Porongurup grapes included. In the past Janice McDonald believes that the Porongurup Riesling has been floral and citrus oriented with the Great Southern version trending … Continue reading
2013 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling
Last week I has the pleasure of tasting through the new release Howard Park whites with winemaker Janice McDonald. She’s forthright, honest, humble and intelligent as a whip. Howard Park have done well to secure her services. It surprised me … Continue reading
2011 Castelli Cabernet Sauvignon
A ripe Cabernet with some warmth on the finish. It still possesses a significant degree of elegance and purity though. There’s a fair clip of French oak as well – fifteen months in 50% new and 50% one year old … Continue reading
2012 Castelli Il Iris Chardonnay
Big, ballsy, cheesy, toasty, mealy, heavily worked Chardonnay from Denmark in the Great Southern. What will critics make of it? There is still plenty of demand for this expression of the variety. I honestly don’t know where the sweet spot … Continue reading
2013 Castelli Porongurup Riesling
Typically pure Great Southern Riesling from the Porongurup subregion. All steadfast determination in its youth. You have to be a bit of an acid fiend to get off on it now but in five to ten years (and probably beyond) … Continue reading
2011 Zarephath Porongurup Riesling
Here’s a little something different from the Great Southern: Zarephath Wines are made from premium quality fruit grown by members of The Christ Circle, Inc., an independent monastic community. This isn’t your usual stern and solemn Porongurup Riesling. It tastes … Continue reading
2012 Howard Park Porongurup Riesling
A recent Sommeliers Australia Great Southern themed tasting confirmed that Riesling is still the area’s hero variety. Pity so few people drink it…or did the 2012 Clare Valley releases change all that? Classic regional traits of lime and slate. Pristine … Continue reading