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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
2012 Brash Higgins SM/R
A field blend of McLaren Vale Semillon and Riesling. It shouldn’t work but it does. Co-fermented using native yeasts for six months in five year-old French barriques. Sea spray, citrus blossom, lemons and limes with exotic star fruit notes. Juicy and … Continue reading
Posted in McLaren Vale, Riesling et al, Semillon et al, White Blends
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2012 Brash Higgins Nero D’Avola
There are many exciting developments happening in McLaren Vale at the moment and I’m pleased to say Brad Hickey’s Nero D’Avola is up there with the best of them. Wild yeast fermented, spends seven months on its skins in 200 litre … Continue reading
2011 Thomas Two of a Kind Shiraz
Harking back to Andrew Thomas’ roots in McLaren Vale and perhaps also to a time when Vale Shiraz used to find its way into more than a few multiregional Australian Shirazes, this contains 57% Hunter Valley fruit with the rest from … Continue reading
2011 Meantime GTM
Variations on a theme from the aforementioned duo that brought you the Meantime GMT. The Tempranillo is turned up higher in the blend this time round, although Dudley Brown reckons you don’t hear it as loud. I politely disagree and … Continue reading
Posted in Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Tempranillo et al
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2011 Meantime GMT
A collaboration between Dudley Brown of Inkwell Wines and Paul Henry, now of ‘winehero’ and ex-head of Wine Australia. I know Dudley well and came to take increasing interest in Paul on account of the fact that he took my often … Continue reading
Posted in Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Tempranillo et al
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2010 Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz
The 2008 release of this fared very well despite the warm year but the 2010 takes things to a whole new level. When you visit Yangarra it’s impossible not to be struck by how much cooler it feels than much of … Continue reading
2010 Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache
When it comes to Grenache in Australia, three producers are leading the way. Yangarra, SC Pannell and d’Arenberg. Very different styles, all of them. This is a blinder. It’s already looking extraordinary but if you can put some in the … Continue reading
1987 Shottesbrooke 1337 Muscat
A 26-year-old vintage Muscat from bygone days. You can’t help but get a little sentimental. Served it to friends post tasting with a cheese platter. They adored it. And indeed, there’s much to like. Heaps of spiced citrus rind is … Continue reading
2011 Yangarra Estate GSM
A blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Shiraz and 28% Mourvèdre and a testament to the value of canopy management and exposure in years that present issues of disease and rot. Silky and agile in the mouth, pretty and perfumed on … Continue reading
Posted in Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Shiraz et al
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2010 Yangarra Estate Shiraz
A hell of a lot of complexity for $25 and quite a degree of poise as well. Winemaker Pete Fraser and viticulturist Michael Lane are working some magic at Yangarra. Smokey, peat-like notes sit alongside whole bunch florals with hints … Continue reading