Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2013 Craggy Range Avery Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Apparently the vineyard is one of the warmest in Marlborough. Surprisingly then, it’s more citrine at heart than tropical and almost as vegetal as fruit driven. Overall it results in a complex Sauvignon Blanc that draws you in. I’m tempted … Continue reading

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2012 Willow Bridge Solana Tempranillo

Somehow lost behind a number of other wines on the tasting bench for a long time. Fortunately it’s still the current release. Comes from Geographe in Western Australia. Ripe red berry and cherry aromas, lavender, earthy roots, cinnamon and pepper. … Continue reading

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2012 Veronique Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon

I can’t find the bottle or a press release so I assume I’ve thrown them out. I live in a small flat which gets cluttered quickly. Anyway this tastes like the Eden Valley to me. I’m sure someone will let … Continue reading

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2013 Madfish Rosé

It says quite a lot about the evolution of Australian Rosé when this the minimum standard I expect when tasting. Made from Shiraz. Summer pudding aromatics and flavour. A hint of spice and traction are both welcome. Fruit sweetness with … Continue reading

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2013 Gilligan Roussanne Marsanne

I actually prefer this to the 2012 release. It provides me with a greater sense of detail. A pleasing level of aromatic clarity and expressiveness here. Red apples, green tea, honeysuckle, apricot and candied ginger with some minty and aniseed-like … Continue reading

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2009 Forester Estate Yelverton Reserve Cabernet

Forester Estate have always frustrated me but this is downright confounding; $62 for what seems to be no more than a pizza wine. I guess you’re paying for the word ‘Reserve’ on the label. Unsatisfactory depth of flavour at the … Continue reading

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2011 Forester Estate Margaret River Shiraz

Extremely easy-going Shiraz from the northern parts of the Margaret River region. Cordial-like and lacking enough in depth to be considered superficial. Contains 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and oddly, 4% Alicante Bousche. Mulberry, raspberry and plums. A little menthol lift. Warm, … Continue reading

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2009 Alkoomi Jarrah Frankland River Shiraz

Two Great Southern Shiraz from the Frankland River subregion and the same vintage tasted together, single blind. This didn’t impress me as much. Sweeter, less depth, a more commercial feel. Glossy red over black fruits, aniseed and pepper. Not much … Continue reading

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2009 Larry Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz

Another compelling argument for Great Southern Shiraz, albeit more voluminous than the 2011 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz reviewed recently. Some reductive rubbery arse to begin with (which I actually enjoy) but it blows off quickly. Amazingly savoury considering its dark … Continue reading

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2011 Evans & Tate Metricup Road Shiraz

Increasingly I wonder if many producers can make a go of Shiraz in the Margaret River. They might be able to sell their wares to West Australians but by and large most of the wines just don’t cut it. This … Continue reading

Posted in Margaret River, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 11 Comments