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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 SC Pannell Tempranillo Touriga
I never did taste the much-lauded 2010 version of this blend, but I can’t see much in the way of detrimental effects from the cool, wet 2011 vintage here. It’s a delightfully sessionable wine, medium bodied at most with delicate … Continue reading
2012 Jauma Sand on Schist Chenin Blanc
The Jauma label is a product of the imagination of James Erskine. If we can put semiotic debates to the side for the moment, the wines fall into the “natural wine” category…or whatever you want to call it. The whole discussion bores … Continue reading
Posted in Chenin Blanc, McLaren Vale
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2011 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Tempranillo
There’s a layer of bracken and swamp water that sits over the other aromas in this Tempranillo. I find it quite unappealing and very distracting. Underneath that are some darker forest fruits, crushed brown spice, cola and pepper. It’s a … Continue reading
2009 Chapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz
Here it is, the much anticipated 2009 Chapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz which has been released after the 2010 model. To quote chief winemaker Michael Fragos at the time of last year’s release: “When we recently sat down with the … Continue reading
2008 McWilliams 1877 Shiraz Cabernet
A multiregional blend of 53% Shiraz and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon made in an old-fashioned manner. Full-bodied, powerful and with lashings of oak. Needs a stint in the cellar. Toasty coffeed/clovey oak, blackcurrants, plums and some respite in the form of … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet et al, Coonawarra, Hilltops, McLaren Vale, Shiraz et al
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2012 Chapel Hill Verdelho
Can’t say I’m the world’s biggest Verdelho fan but this one’s fair drinking for the price – which is, I suspect, all the variety can aspire to in terms of table wines. Frisky, fruity and fresh. Passionfruit, guava, pineapple and lime. … Continue reading
2011 Yangarra Estate Viognier
It’s Yangarra Estate winemaker Pete Fraser’s birthday tomorrow, which reminds me that I haven’t written this wine up. I heard a whisper that the winery is considering their relationship with Viognier going into the future, but if this and the 2007 … Continue reading
2011 d’Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The combination of wet weather and Roussanne’s tightly clustered bunches is a bitch when it comes to Boytritis. A full-bodied and viscous white with ripe brown pear, baked apples, apricot nectar … Continue reading
2012 Gilligan Roussanne Marsanne
A blend of 59% Roussanne and 41% Marsanne from The Wetlands Vineyard on California Road, McLaren Vale. The Marsanne was fermented in stainless steel while most of the Roussanne saw extended time on skins, regular lees stirring and some new and one-year … Continue reading
2010 O’Leary Walker Clare Valley McLaren Shiraz
Oh look, a dual region red wine made with specific intent! Don’t get me wrong, I love exploring regionality, single sites, individual blocks even. But there needn’t be a war between the two approaches. I enjoy the diversity offered up … Continue reading