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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
2013 Coriole Fiano
Sits below the Oliver’s Taranga version in the pecking order but remains a worthy Vale Fiano nonetheless. Smell of red apples and pears, sea spray, lemon and melons. In the mouth it’s ever so slightly (and pleasantly) gelatinous with a strong briney … Continue reading
2010 Coriole The Optimist Chenin Blanc
Coriole’s take on a more Vouvray-ish expression of Chenin Blanc. It probably is optimistic to attempt this in McLaren Vale so the title fits. The vineyard from which the grapes were sourced was planted in 1977. It has that going … Continue reading
2013 Three Dark Horses G+T
Attractive label, attractive wine. My image doesn’t do it justice but hopefully I’ll fare better with the tasting note. A blend of Grenache and Touriga. Unoaked with a portion of whole bunches incorporated. Has a lifted nose but for some reason I … Continue reading
2012 Faux Pas Grenache
The best of three Faux Pas releases to date. I like what Andrew Ramsey, Vanessa Robson and Liam Van Pelt are working towards with this label. Three youngsters to keep a close eye on. This Grenache looked good when I tasted … Continue reading
2011 Inkwell Shiraz
The Inkwell vineyard lies on the west side of McLaren Vale in the suburb of Tatachilla. It ripens earlier than most in the region which would seem to be an advantage in a wet year such as 2011. Winemaker Dudley … Continue reading
2011 Maxwell Little Demon Shiraz Grenache
Time to take what I call the radical middle-ground. I’ve read some cringeworthy generalisations about 2011. One sommelier suggested avoiding all Australian reds, another Master Sommelier asked what we were all on about when some of us spoke of poor … Continue reading
2012 Chapel Hill Sangiovese
I was about to type the words ‘il Vescovo’ into the title when I realised that this had just been upgraded to a higher tier. Well deserved too I might add. Red fruits, sour cherries, a subtle meatiness and dried … Continue reading
2013 Chapel Hill il Vescovo Sangiovese Rosé
Sangiovese is a very sensible grape to use for a Rosé and Chapel Hill’s il Vescovo version has always been a more than solid wine. This isn’t my favourite release. The fruit sweetness swells on entry and then there’s some … Continue reading
2011 SC Pannell McLaren Vale Grenache
Generally I think you’re best off buying your SC Pannell Grenache and whacking it straight in the cellar for at least five years but the cooler 2011 conditions have given us a wine that can be enjoyed a little earlier. … Continue reading
2010 Shottesbrooke Punch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
In a region renowned for Shiraz and increasingly flirting with Italian varieties Shottesbrooke strikes me as something of a Cabernet specialist. Density and depth. Blackberries, chocolate and roasted root vegetables with some mint jelly. Fresh dark cherries and blueberries impart vitality. … Continue reading