Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2012 Master Blender Castro’s Ligador Shiraz Mataro

An extension of of the Mr Riggs Wine Co. portfolio from what I can make out. McLaren Vale fruit. Highly aromatic and jubey. Abundant blueberry, blackberry and plum fruits, French vanilla, minor mocha oak and strong, ferrous tannin. Crushed spice. … Continue reading

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2012 Coriole Galaxadia Shiraz

Old Tapley Hill formation, Seaview subregion. The latter is instantly recognisable to me when tasting the wine. More power and density than the Willunga 1920 Shiraz even if the vines are much younger. Blackberry and mulberry with plenty of raspberry … Continue reading

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2012 Coriole Willunga 1920 McLaren Vale Shiraz

Another from 2012 Scarce Earth stable, obviously from the Willunga subregion. Geologically we’re talking the Christies Beach formation. Predominantly redcurrants which present in a oddly diffuse manner. Notes of chocolate and aniseed with Indian spice. Grainy, gum-creeping tannin. 91 Region: … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill The Chosen Gorge Block Cabernet Sauvignon

“I’ll miss the system here The bottom’s low And the treble’s clear” - Townes Van Zandt The Chapel Gorge Block Cabernet Sauvignon has always been a wine I’ve admired and the 2012 continues a run of strong releases. It smells of … Continue reading

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2013 McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Solid and straightforward Australian Sauvignon Blanc at a fair price. Tropicals over citrus. A little sweaty. Passionfruit, melon, asparagus and guava with a squeeze of lemon. Tangy. Not too sweet, not too sharp, a hint of grip and miscellaneous herbs … Continue reading

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2013 Tscharke Bed Hair Graciano

Graciano’s potential in the Barossa is difficult to ignore. Much of that has to do with the grape’s natural ability to retain acid. Of course it has produce attractive flavours and aromas as well. This comes across as rather liqueurous … Continue reading

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2012 Evans & Tate Redbrook Margaret River Chardonnay

A worked style with the intensity of fruit to match, not to mention a girder of acidity that is unimpinged by malolactic fermentation. Grapefruit, oatmeal, shortbread, spiced pears and lime. Leesy, nutty and mealy yet remains detailed. Lingering woodspice and … Continue reading

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2013 Woods Crampton Barossa Valley Shiraz

Having first tasted this briefly with Nicholas Crampton and considered it good if not much more, I thought I’d wait a while to revisit it…and pop it into a line-up of 2012 McLaren Vale Shiraz tasted blind. I don’t think … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill The Chosen Road Block Shiraz

Many differences in relation to the House block. It’s simultaneously bigger and bolder yet more softly fruited. Mulberry, plums and raspberry coulis. Tighter tannin. Not as much length. Splays on entry but those tannins restrict and give form. I prefer … Continue reading

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2012 Chapel Hill The Chosen House Block Shiraz

I popped these Scarce Earth wines (two from Chapel Hill, two from Coriole) in with a number of other 2012 Vale Shiraz for (blind) tasting purposes. The lesser influence of oak was easily identifiable yet not always a plus as … Continue reading

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