- Subscribe
-
Recent Posts
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
Archives
Category Archives: McLaren Vale
2011 Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot
Truth be told, I feared for my beloved Church Block as it approached its 40th anniversary with the 2011 release. Fortunately it’s come out looking okay. It won’t be remembered as a great year but it should still show enough … Continue reading
2011 Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz
It’s funny how fashions change in wine. Not that long ago every man and his dog in Australia was having a go at adding Viognier to their Shiraz. Nowadays it’s not so desirable…well unless you’re Clonakilla. There’s been a steady … Continue reading
2011 Battle of Bosworth Cabernet Sauvignon
A really tough wine to assess. I’ve spent three days with it and I’m still not sure if I have its measure. Of course, it doesn’t help that the last time we had a vintage like 2011 in Australia was … Continue reading
2011 Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz
Lighter than a traditional Woodhenge and the acidity is much more nervy. There’s an almost balsamic edge to this wine that I find rather distracting. It bothers me more than the subtle swampy notes. A good smack of the old … Continue reading
2011 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
The cool season has imparted a little more elegance to the Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon this year. It was matured almost entirely in 300 litre French oak hogsheads (22% new) for 19 months. Fresh fruited blackberry and mulberry flavour with earthy root … Continue reading
2012 Wirra Wirra Original Blend Grenache Shiraz
The same proportions as the 2010 with 70% Grenache and 30% Shiraz. It smells and tastes Grenache dominant but the impact of the Shiraz is significant. Quite simply the best Wirra Wirra Original Blend I’ve had the pleasure to taste … Continue reading
2010 Oliver’s Taranga Sagrantino
Despite the rugged, chewy tannins that mark the Sagrantino variety this is actually already quite approachable. There’s plenty of McLaren Vale primary fruit stuffing which should give it wider appeal. Not a bad thing all up. Sour and sweet cherries, … Continue reading
2010 Oliver’s Taranga HJ Reserve Shiraz
Made in a style some love and others love to loathe. For me, it’s a now and then proposition. I’m happy wines like this still exist even if my buying habits have drifted elsewhere. High grade toasty, charry vanilla oak … Continue reading
Posted in McLaren Vale, Shiraz, Syrah
2 Comments
2013 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Vermentino
Fiano may be the superior grape but it’s Vermentino that’s gaining the head of steam in Australia. So be it. Tastes and smell of sour lemons, herbs, sea shells, melon and rind. The palate offers curves and refreshment in roughly … Continue reading
2013 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Fiano
Winemaker Corrina Wright has been championing this Campanian variety in McLaren Vale for a few years now. It’s a grape that deserves a place within the region and the Oliver’s Taranga version is almost always amongst the best renditions. The … Continue reading