Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2013 Mesh Eden Valley Riesling

The collaboration between Jeffrey Grosset and Robert Hill Smith continues to pay dividends. Limes, lemon and orange rind. Slatey and coiled but the acidity isn’t at all harsh. Rather it has great depth. A hint of fennel bulb with a … Continue reading

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2009 SC Pannell Grenache

Certain unfortunate events led to a decision to liquidate my off-site cellarage in Melbourne late last year. My only bottles of this wine were lost in the process. We’ve moved onto the 2011 now but I spotted a single 2009 … Continue reading

Posted in Grenache, McLaren Vale | Tagged | 5 Comments

2010 Henry’s Drive Magnus Shiraz

Apart from the 2012 Syrah I’ve found all the Henry’s Drive reds too overblown and unbalanced. Big boy juice. Even men will need shoulder pads. Diesel fumes, prunes, vanilla custard and pulverised cloves. Thick with oak, thinned with bourbon. These … Continue reading

Posted in Padthaway, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 2 Comments

2013 Fikkers two bricks Shiraz

The press release uses all lower case for the ‘two bricks’ moniker so I’ll do the same. I quite like the idea actually. Grapes are sourced from the Coldstream area in the Lower Yarra Valley. 33% whole bunches, wild yeast … Continue reading

Posted in Shiraz, Syrah, Yarra Valley | Tagged | 2 Comments

2013 Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz

Sensibly proportioned yet easily identifiable as Barossa Valley Shiraz. Fifteen percent whole bunch, a mix of French and American oak for ten and a half months with about half of that French oak being new. Unfined, unfiltered. Red and black brambly … Continue reading

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2007 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Cellar Aged Semillon

While you wait for your other Hunter Semillons to hit maturity it’s always good to be able to grab a Lizzy. I like this more than the 2006 release. It’s slightly less developed and has more focus and reach. Lanolin, … Continue reading

Posted in Hunter Valley, Semillon | Tagged | 3 Comments

2013 Elefante Blanco

A blend of 50% Macabeo, 40% Verdejo and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Around the medium-bodied mark. Fourth Wave Wine. Stonefruit, apple blossom, pears, sea spray, shells and freshly cut lemons. Good form, flow and length and it doesn’t lack intensity either. … Continue reading

Posted in Macabeo et al, Spain, Verdejo et al | Tagged | Comments Off

2013 Mandoleto Catarrato Terre Sicilia IGT

Is it me or is the current wave of enthusiasm for Sicilian reds not quite matched by that shown for Sicilian whites? Imported by Fourth Wave Wine. Smells pretty much like eating a green apple by the sea. Brine. Lime over … Continue reading

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2012 Marques de Tezona Tinto Tempranillo

It’s imports like these that make life very difficult for Australian producers attempting to sell red wine between the ten and twenty dollar mark. Fourth Wave Wine bring it in. Blood, earth, iron, spice, aniseedy herbs and red berried fruit. … Continue reading

Posted in Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged | Comments Off

2011 Lowe Block 8 Organic Shiraz

No longer just organic but now biodynamic. Hopefully the next release will have been fermented in an egg to truly harness the benign and benevolent cosmic forces which see fit to overlook the fact that not all such birthing vessels … Continue reading

Posted in Mudgee, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | Comments Off