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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: McLaren Vale
2011 Chapel Hill Shiraz
A pretty polished release from 2011. It was wet and cool in many (but not all) regions in case you didn’t know. Rich chocolate oak sheathes the cool vintage acidity but there’s still animation here. Dark brambly fruits and quite … Continue reading
2013 Serafino Bellissimo Fiano
Serafino’s first shot at the Fiano variety comes from some young vines in Whites Valley, very close to the Star of Greece restaurant. They’ve made more than a fair fist of it, it must be said. Clean fruited with a … Continue reading
2011 Chapel Hill Mourvèdre
Once again, I’ll remark on how well Chapel Hill’s reds from the 2011 vintage have fared. This is a lighter, brighter and more savoury expression of Mourvèdre than we saw in 2009 and 2010 but it is physiologically ripe and … Continue reading
2011 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
While the 2008 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz didn’t ring my bells I have some respect for this wine. It’s not something I’d buy for myself but within its chosen paradigm it’s well made. Plenty of clove and vanilla/coffee oak but … Continue reading
2010 Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet Sauvignon
I reckon McLaren Vale is capable of producing some darn good Cabernet. Sadly this isn’t an example. Overwhelmingly sweet Ribena meets sweaty saddle leather and game. Disconcerting and not particularly enjoyable to smell or drink. Confected characters and “rustic” notes … Continue reading
2010 Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon
A sweetly oaked, generously proportioned McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon which needs time for everything to integrate. Black and red curranty fruit, chocolate with roasted root vegetables and herbs. Has some savoury earthen characters and a surprising note of paprika. The … Continue reading
2013 Dowie Doole Chenin Blanc
The grapes are from a vineyard in Blewitt Springs planted to Chenin Blanc in 1933. I can’t imagine there’s a lot of Chenin Blanc vines in Australia that can compete with that. “You don’t often hear ‘old vine and hand … Continue reading
2013 Dowie Doole Vermentino
Huzzah! Textural Vermentino. Not just some generic dry, crisp white wine to serve with sardines. Something far more interesting and enjoyable. Vermentino the way it’s meant to be. Grapes are from a one acre planting in the Wetlands vineyard, McLaren … Continue reading
2011 Maxwell Little Demon Cabernet Merlot
Would you like me to insert a little introduction mentioning the trials of the 2011 vintage in certain areas of Australia? No, I didn’t think so… 70% Cabernet, 30% Merlot. Sweet, slightly confected black fruits on the palate with a … Continue reading