Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2004 Bollinger La Grand Année

Interesting to attend a Bollinger masterclass/lunch so shortly after a similar event for Billecart-Salmon. Completely different house styles, one Pinot dominant and with a strong oxidative theme and the other Chardonnay dominant with a focus on acidity and purity of fruit … Continue reading

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2013 Alkoomi Frankland River Riesling

Very attractive now and a good bet for the cellar I’d imagine. A pretty nose of citrus blossom, lime and talc. Focused and precise but there’s quite enough intensity of flavour to accompany the slatey minerality. Bone dry to close … Continue reading

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2013 McPherson Basilisk Riesling

It’s fair to say I liked the McPherson new release reds more than the whites. This feels broad and prematurely advanced with toast and even a hint of kerosene creeping into the picture. Tart apple skins, lemon and lime with … Continue reading

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2012 Alkoomi Frankland River Chardonnay

The Great Southern isn’t necessarily among the initial regions that come to mind when you’re thinking about Chardonnay but I can’t see any reason for that to remain the case in the long term. Butter, bran and porridge (breakfast wine?) … Continue reading

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2013 Jilly Nebbiolo

Grapes are sourced from the Topper’s Mountain vineyard sitting 900 metres above sea level in the New England region and carefully tended by vigneron Mark Kirkby. Jared Dixon makes the Jilly wines. An extra 700 bottles made for the second … Continue reading

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2011 Oliver’s Taranga Sagrantino

A cooler, wetter year doesn’t seem to have made any impact on the quality of a wine that’s quickly establishing an enviable track record. Rather complex in profile. Blackberries flecked with red fruits. Potpourri, sage, oregano, and cured tobacco are … Continue reading

Posted in McLaren Vale, Sagrantino | Tagged | Comments Off

2012 Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz

A good vintage for McLaren Vale and a good year for Oliver’s Taranga Shiraz. This is giving and fleshy yet never formless. Mulberries, cinnamon dusted blueberries, milk chocolate, nutmeg and licorice all cleverly bound with oak, ensconced acidity and grainy … Continue reading

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2013 Yealands Estate Land Made Pinot Gris

The name makes me chuckle. Not just ‘land grown’ but ‘land made’. No winemaker means we can pass the savings onto you? Aromas, flavours and texture are appealing. Nashi pear, lemon, leatherwood honey and spice. A touch of oiliness in … Continue reading

Posted in Marlborough, Pinot Gris | Tagged | Comments Off

2012 Cirillo Shiraz

Sourced from a vineyard right on the border of the Barossa Valley floor and the Eden Valley. By Marco Cirillo’s own admission it’s a bit of a mangy looking site but it produces high quality grapes. A step up from … Continue reading

Posted in Barossa, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 1 Comment

2013 Yealands Estate Land Made Series Sauvignon Blanc

Not a poor expression of the Marlborough style but unlikely to make any new converts. Very pungent grassy, herbaceous nose. A slightly odd mix of sour lemons, snapped peas and passionfruit/tropical flavours. Straight up and down otherwise. Crisp and clean. … Continue reading

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged | 23 Comments