Tag Archives: Wine Reviews

2013 Lowe Nullo Mountain Sauvignon Blanc

Seriously high altitude vineyard. 1180 metres above sea level. Presumably that’s Nullo Mountain on the right. The photo came with the press release and I can’t locate a bottle image. There’s nothing new about the methods employed to produce the … Continue reading

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2013 Ten Minutes by Tractor 10X Sauvignon Blanc

Texture is the hook here. Seven months in old French barriques, partial malo and lees stirring lend a yielding, creamy overlay to fine acidity. Grassy as much as herbaceous. A light whiff of smoke and vanilla. Runs the full spectrum … Continue reading

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2011 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon

Includes splashes of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Good but perhaps overly predictable for the money…or at least for my money. Sweet, concentrated cassis with gum leaf and a ripple of raspberry. Fleshy Cabernet stuffed with ripe fruit flavour and … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet et al, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River | Tagged | 2 Comments

2012 Moss Wood Amy’s

Amy’s what you may ask? An assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot from Glenmore Vineyard in the Yallingup area at the northern end of the Margaret River GI. Lots of jubey, jelly like fruit. Xmas cake spice … Continue reading

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2013 Chapel Hill Chardonnay

Chapel Hill’s entry level, lightly oaked Chardonnay. I suspect the fact that it’s from McLaren Vale won’t put the target audience off. Melon and lemon curd mostly. Piña colada plays around the periphery. Fruit forward but with a light toastiness … Continue reading

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2014 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Riesling

The word “dry” has been removed from the label – although it remains technically dry at 3.1g/l residual sugar. More muted aromatically this year. Pithy flavours and aromas. Green apple skins with the interesting contrast of faint tropicals and saline, … Continue reading

Posted in Clare Valley, Riesling | Tagged | 2 Comments

2014 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling

Every bit as expressive and approachable as we’ve come to expect from a young Jim Barry Watervale Riesling. Attractive orange blossom aromatics. Zesty lemon over hints of melon rind, lime and apple. Clean talc and slate finish. Acidity is capably … Continue reading

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2011 Xabregas Estate Shiraz

From Mount Barker as is the case with the two wines reviewed below. Less savoury, more traditional, predominantly red-fruited. Easy access. Savouries up as it moves down the line while adding some plums, aniseedy herbs and French vanilla oak. A … Continue reading

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2010 Xabregas Artisan Syrah

Cofermented with some whole bunch Roussanne all in large vats “for funk.” Oh yes, the colour. I don’t really care much about it but it’s undeniably vivid. Busy wine. Very wild and savoury. Violets, notes of sauvage/game meats, dusty spices, … Continue reading

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2010 X by Xabregas Spencer Syrah

I’m late to the party on these Xabregas Great Southern Syrahs but the quality is very high and they both have an X-factor. Seductive, silky mouthfeel. Gunsmoke, deli meats, blackberries, fennel seeds and dark cherries. Sanguine, dried herb finish. Luscious … Continue reading

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