Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2012 Best’s Great Western Bin 0 Shiraz

Best’s Great Western Bin 0 Shiraz is sourced from four estate blocks – the 1867 Thomson Family Block, the 1966 Bart’s Block, the 1970 Marcus’ Block and the 1992 Hill Block. The sites are chosen for both quality and the … Continue reading

Posted in Grampians, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 5 Comments

2012 Best’s Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz

Crafted from 15 rows of original plantings that are now around 145 years old. That’s some serious history in a bottle. This is actually the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to taste Best’s flagship wine and I must … Continue reading

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

2012 Best’s Great Western Old Vine Pinot Meunier

The only other Australian Pinot Meunier based table wine I’ve sampled has come from Nat White at Main Ridge Estate. Apparently his vines come from Best’s cuttings. Given Best’s success with the  variety I am slightly surprised that more producers … Continue reading

Posted in Grampians, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Meunier et al | Tagged | 6 Comments

2012 McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Vineyard Chardonnay

Perhaps the Chardonnay that exhibits the most detail in the McHenry Hohnen stable. Regional yet restrained. Smoke and pebbles as much as fruit intensity. Line, length and subtlety. Nectarines and limes, roasted hazelnuts and cashews. For all the purity and … Continue reading

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2012 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay

The only single vineyard McHenry Hohnen Chardonnay that comes from a site that doesn’t lie in the southern parts of the Margaret River. It comes as no surprise that it is more brash and fuller than the other two wines. … Continue reading

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2012 McHenry Hohnen Calgardup Brook Vineyard Chardonnay

This is the second year I’ve been gifted the opportunity to taste the McHenry Hohnen single vineyard Chardonnays together. I’m not as familiar with these sites and names as I am with say, the Giant Steps models in the Yarra … Continue reading

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2012 Teusner The Garden of Earthly Pleasures Shiraz Grenache

An Aldi Liquor online exclusive and perhaps a nod to Hieronymus Bosch? “For he spake and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast”. Perhaps not Kym Teusner and company’s most ambitious work but quite stunning in terms of value. … Continue reading

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2013 Wickhams Road Gippsland Chardonnay

Another Wickhams Road bargain. Clarity. Purity. I’d be drinking this sooner rather than later. As a young wine you can fool yourself into thinking it’s a health drink. Almost mandarin-like acidity underpins white nectarines. So refreshing, juice should be dribbling … Continue reading

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2012 Seville Estate Old Vine Reserve Pinot Noir

The grapes are sourced from a one acre block of original plantings that are about forty years old. The wine is seriously built and I wouldn’t be opening it myself for at least another three or four years. 20% whole … Continue reading

Posted in Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley | Tagged | 3 Comments

2011 Mr Riggs Three Corner Jack

A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot from McLaren Vale. Blackberry pastilles, raspberry jellies, pepper, leaf. Stalky, firm tannin. Mocha oak. Feels gussied up with too much eye shadow. Cordial sweet on entry then hard, mean and unforgiving on the … Continue reading

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