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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
2010 Oliver’s Taranga Cadenzia Grenache
Cadenzia is the name a number of McLaren Vale wineries have chosen to give their Grenache based wines. It stems from the word ‘Cadenza’; an improvisational piece played by a soloist at the end of a musical performance. So the … Continue reading
2010 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Chapel Hill has made age-worthy Cabernet for a number of years now. I think 2005 was the first vintage I cellared. It’s still drinking well with time on its side. This is a generous offering, no doubt…but varietal character isn’t … Continue reading
2008 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
Smell the wood. Old fashioned stylings and a warm year. It’s got a bit of bling on it but I can’t see a great deal of appeal here myself; especially given the price. I guess it’s not as soupy, thick … Continue reading
2009 Cradle of Hills Shiraz Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre/Mataró is such a great blending partner for Shiraz. It adds structure and interest, two things that are sometimes absent from straight varietal gear. This one’s got 20% Mourvèdre in it, along with a dash of Grenache (5%). It’s entirely … Continue reading
2010 Cradle of Hills GMS Route du Bonheur
Cradle of Hills are a relatively new producer hailing from McLaren Vale. I first tasted one of their wines in a blind bracket of nine Grenaches/Grenache blends and it stood out for its composure, stylistic confidence and ferrous, savoury appeal. … Continue reading
2012 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Fiano
Vermentino gets all the press and has had the most succesful marketing campaign but it’s Fiano that’s by far the more exciting grape. It’s spiritual home is Campania and Sicily but it’s settling into the Vale comfortably as well. Look, … Continue reading
2012 Oliver’s Taranga Small Batch Vermentino
Pleasing to see more suitable white varieties being produced in McLaren Vale; Vermentino, Fiano, even Chenin Blanc have shown some promise. Grapes that can retain natural acidity in warmer climates. I still think there’s a place for Roussanne, Viognier and … Continue reading
Re-evaluating Australian Merlot: Taking a Step Back from Fear and Loathing
If Bordeaux is unfashionable these days amongst the wine media, sommeliers and the cognoscenti, then it’s not too far off the mark to say that Australian Merlot is loathed. There are reasons for this (apart from plain ignorance, which still … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Australia, Canberra, Eden Valley, Granite Belt, Margaret River, McLaren Vale, Merlot, Yarra Valley
Tagged Articles, Wine Events, Wine Musings, Wine Reviews
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2011 Chapel Hill The Chosen Gorge Block Chardonnay
There’s a movement away from Chardonnay in McLaren Vale and towards varieties that handle warmer conditions more effectively. And that’s as it should be. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to the rule and Chapel Hill have always been one of them. … Continue reading
2010 Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz
McLaren Vale Shiraz can be so satisfying and enjoyable when the vintage gods smile and the grapes are vinified sensitively. Both of those conditions have been met here. It’s regional, ripe and fulsome but avoids being cumbersome, soupy or plodding. … Continue reading