Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2012 Frankland Estate Olmo’s Reward

No Merlot for Olmo in 2012. The Cabernet Franc was deemed to be too high quality. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot remain in the mix. Wonderful Franc perfume. Fresh red fruits, brown grass, capsicum, spice, tree bark and violets – … Continue reading

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2013 Tscharke Matching Socks Touriga

Many varying opinions about Touriga as a table wine variety when speaking to McLaren Vale and Barossa vignerons. Some very positive, others not so much. The latter feel it can get jammy and simple. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve tasted so … Continue reading

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2013 Rorschach Wine Co. Pinot Noir

I’m not as fond of the inaugural Rorschach Wine Co. Pinot as I am the Chardonnay. Syrupy and medicinal cherry aromas. Lipstick, putty and make-up on the palate. Strange descriptors to some but that’s what I’m getting. It’s actually not … Continue reading

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2013 Rorschach Wine Co. Chardonnay

A new player on the Mornington Peninsula. Great packaging. And that’s what matters. Solids funk, yoghurt and cheese lees with a chunk of slightly raw yet biscuity oak. The fruit is fresh and vital underneath; Nashi pear, peach, nuts and … Continue reading

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2013 Manners Hilltops Shiraz

Strikes me as a superhero type label. And for a producer I’m unaware of it’s a superhero type price. Will it be Iron Man or the Green Lantern? Has all those Hilltops blueberries on the nose and palate. Black cherry, … Continue reading

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2013 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling

The most famous of the Frankland Estate Rieslings and one of the better known Great Southern examples of the variety full stop. Slatey and pure. Green apple skins, lemons, basil and citrus zest. Sheer mineral precision and extension. One for … Continue reading

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2013 Frankland Estate Poison Hill Vineyard Riesling

Each of these three Frankland Estate single vineyard Rieslings lie within a 25km radius. Another exercise in distilled terroir. Australian Riesling is an easier grape to apply the ‘minimal intervention’ tagline to…for the most part. Granular pear marks the wine. … Continue reading

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2013 Frankland Estate Netley Road Vineyard Riesling

From vines planted in 1968 according to the bottle and 1966 according to the website. Apparently recently renamed Justin’s Vineyard in honour of founder John Justice Roche. I wonder if the Netley Road moniker will be dropped come future vintages. … Continue reading

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2012 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Merlot

Metlot Sweet and sour flavours. Plums and berries. The sort of woody tannin I rightly or wrongly associate with oak staves. Vanilla custard. It’s all a bit hollow and skinny, and it doesn’t hang around long. 83 Region: Australia Alcohol: … Continue reading

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2012 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Shiraz

“She brought me another whisky Said “Here’s to the best you ever had” We laughed and made a toast It wasn’t the best I ever had Not even close” – Bruce Springsteen, ‘Reno’ Lifted blackberry, pepper and faux plums. Lipstick … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 6 Comments