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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 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz
Quintessential McLaren Vale Shiraz executed with aplomb. If you like the style you’ll like the wine. Mulberries, blackberries and plums exhibit the vitality expected from the vintage. Regional milk chocolate, earthy spice and fair clip of malty mocha oak. Plenty … Continue reading
2010 Cradle of Hills Cabernet Shiraz
A dense, full-bodied wine. 80% Cabernet, 20% Shiraz. A touch too warm for my tastes but that aside it has a lot going for it. Cassis over plums, choc-licorice bullets, a velvet mouth-feel and good length. The powerful fruit has … Continue reading
2011 Yangarra Estate Shiraz
An excellent result from the rain plagued 2011 McLaren Vale vintage. Michael Lane’s attention to detail in the vineyard alongside Peter Fraser’s meticulous work in the winery has really paid dividends. And the grape sorting machine at Yangarra has to … Continue reading
2012 Wirra Wirra Church Block
Wirra Wirra’s Church Block has turned forty years old. We’re now the same age. Fitting considering I grew up with the wine – after I was of a legal drinking age of course. 49% Cabernet, 35% Shiraz, 16% Merlot. That’s … Continue reading
2013 Cradle of Hills GiGi Grenache Rosé
It ain’t pale. Ruby red in the glass with a great deal of presence. There’s 10% Mourvèdre in the mix, complementing the Grenache. Rather floral with raspberries, red apples and peppery spice joined by an attractive earthiness. It has body and … Continue reading
2012 Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache
Yes, the 2010 Yangarra High Sands is a stunning wine and yes, most of us will struggle to afford it. But if you want to get an idea of Yangarra’s stylistic take on the variety and grab a damn fine … Continue reading
2013 Yangarra Estate Viognier
Once again Yangarra trip the light fantastic, producing a Viognier that captures all the personality and intensity of the grape in a refined manner. Layered textures with wax over mealiness and a low-level oily character. The phenolics are more nuanced than we … Continue reading
2011 Mr Riggs Three Corner Jack
A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot from McLaren Vale. Blackberry pastilles, raspberry jellies, pepper, leaf. Stalky, firm tannin. Mocha oak. Feels gussied up with too much eye shadow. Cordial sweet on entry then hard, mean and unforgiving on the … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet et al, McLaren Vale, Merlot et al, Shiraz et al, Syrah et al
Tagged Wine Reviews
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2012 Battle of Bosworth Chardonnay
The third release of Battle of Bosworth’s Chardonnay. I rather liked the couple of glasses I had of the 2011. This doesn’t rate as highly. Yellow peach, figs and melon with suggestions of butterscotch and woodspice. Savoury, nutty oak tempers … Continue reading
2011 Mr Riggs Shiraz
I reckon more than a few people consider me to be an oak Nazi and it’s true that I think it is often misused or over-applied…much like make-up. But there are circumstances where I’m happy to go into bat for … Continue reading