January -
Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris 22 - King Valley and Yarra Valley. A mix of whole bunch and destemmed, mostly tank fermented and 10% French oak. Light straw colour and very aromatic. Lees stirring gives it softness and some subtlety. Pear, melon, citrus and spice.
Pepperjack Grenache 20 - McLaren Vale and Barossa. A blend of stainless steel tank and oak barrels. Ruby red colour and jumping out of the glass. Raspberry, cherry and mulberry. Good intensity and velvety, soft tannins.
Mornington Estate Chardonnay 21 - A bit more developed than the last bottle I had. Yellow straw colour. Peach, citrus, spice and toasty oak.
Coldstream Hills Tasmania Pinot Gris 22 - Sourced from the White Hills vineyard in northern Tasmania. A blend of tank and older French oak barriques. Straw coloured and apple blossom aromas. Pear, peach, subtle spice and a slightly chalky, dry finish.
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 19 - Straw colour and comes up beautifully in the glass. Citrus, stonefruit, spice and obvious oak influence with fresh acidity.
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 15 - Got the Penfolds style and medium-bodied. Some aged character starting to show, but it’s still got intensity. Sweet dark plums, cherry, spice and soft, dry tannins.
De Bortoli Blue Pinot Gris 22 - King Valley. Light straw colour. Really like the scented aromatics in the glass. Apple, pear, spice and a clean, grapey finish.
Wynns Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 15 - Another bottle of this. Red-purple colour and darker at the core. Cassis, mulberry, sweet ripe plums and spice. Gets more brambly when you get into it. Slow, dry tannins on the finish. Need to decant this because of the sediment, etc.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - Deeply coloured. Cassis, mulberry, cherry and dried herbs with some nice earthy character. Got new and used French oak for 15 months, which shows as cedar/savoury. Really about the bigger, powdery tannins in this, but feels smoother with bottle age.
Rocca di Montemassi Calasole Vermentino 21 - Maremma Toscana DOC. A slightly savoury, dry white wine. Tank matured for 6 months and some leesy influence. Light straw colour. White flowers, citrus, almond and spice.
Mr Mick Clare Valley Riesling 22 - Genuine free-run style that maximises fruit character. Citrus blossom, lemon, limes and a little sweet fruited. Clean juicy acidity on the palate with a moderately dry finish.
Phaedrus Reserve Pinot Noir 10 - Really good when I tried this at the cellar door last year and even better now. Best fruit, 20 months in French oak barrels and unfiltered. Feels harmonious and complete. Dark cherry, plum, spice, star anise and earthy. Soft, velvety tannins and long.
Tim Adams Riesling 22 - Clare Valley. Free-run juice, low temp made, natural acid and 11.5% alcohol. Very little colour, some green straw perhaps. Clean and showing pure varietal character and intensity. Florals, grapefruit, limes and a chalky dry finish.
Phaedrus Reserve Pinot Noir 12 - Last bottle of back vintages that I got from the cellar door. Foot treading, wild yeast and extended elevage. Ruby colour and lighter at the rim, but the fruit intensity is definitely there. Dark cherry, cranberry, spice and earthy. Deep, vibrant acidity and soft tannins. This will evolve nicely over the next 5 to 10 years.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 21 - Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. Light straw colour and very aromatic. Citrus blossom, bath salts, fresh citrus and lime cordial. Soft and luscious on the palate with punchy acid/fruit on the finish.
February -
Coldstream Hills Chardonnay 21 - A bit more colour in this bottle. Citrus, stonefruit, spice and well integrated French oak. Length is pretty good on the palate with a softer finish.
Deep Woods Estate Chardonnay 22 - Margaret River. Wild yeast and 6 months in old/new barrels. Some leesy influence. Grapefruit, citrus, stonefruit and subtle toasty oak with a soft, slightly honeyed finish.
Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 18 - A blend of Shiraz, Cab Sav, Cab Franc and Merlot. Feels bigger than the 15 that I had last year. Rich dark fruit and lots of obvious oak. This is 14.5% alcohol and you get all of it. A bit warm and porty. Spicy and sweet fruited on the palate as well as charry oak flavour and tannin.
Peter Lehmann The Bond Grenache 18 - Won a trophy at the 2020 Barossa Wine Show and Gold medal at the 2020 Adelaide Wine Show. Lovely ruby colour and aromas of blue violets and berries. Feels medium-bodied. Raspberry, cherry and spice with soft, powdery tannins and long.
De Bortoli Wizardry Grenache 20 - Heathcote. Some whole bunch and 10 months in older oak casks. Ruby coloured and fragrant. A bigger style, but lush and smooth on the palate. Raspberry, red berries, spice and brambly with soft tannins.
Hardys HRB Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Deeply coloured. Just hitting all the right Cab markers for me. Cassis, mulberry, mint, tobacco and cedar. Really nice subtle herbal character. Loads of tannin. A wine you would be sensibly leaving in the cellar, but I keep drinking it and buying more.
Pepperjack Chardonnay 21 - Adelaide Hills and Padthaway. A blend of tank and barrels. Straw coloured. Grapefruit, citrus, stonefruit, cashew and spicy French oak.
Robert Oatley Signature Series Margaret River Chardonnay 22 - Just a short maturation time in French oak barrels, 20% new and no malo. Light gold colour and more developed than I was expecting. Good drinking now however. White peach, stonefruit, melon, some leesy influence and soft, spicy oak.
Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 22 - This is so different to the previous vintage. Clear and pale, almost colourless, with citrus blossom, limes and lemon pith. Really pure, tangy lemon character coming through. Clean, zesty acidity and a chalky, dry finish.
Annie’s Lane Clare Valley Riesling 22 - This has been consistent over recent vintages. Green straw colour and fresh grapey aromatics. Citrus blossom, lime, green apple and talcum. Uncomplicated with a fruit driven palate and moderate acidity.
Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling 16 - Eden Valley. Released with bottle age and clearly no hurry with it. Straw colour. Strong citrus with florals and deep acidity. Subtle hints of toast and honey, as well as some tantalising trademark kero, and these secondary elements will definitely add more complexity over the next 5 years or so. The length of flavour is a standout.
Paracombe Pinot Blanc 21 - Adelaide Hills. Light straw colour and musky aromas. Citrus, pears and spice. Some minerally texture with clean, vibrant acidity and a dry, slightly savoury finish.
Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz 18 - California. I wanted to make some comparisons with the Bin 389. The obvious elements are there, ie. a 78/22 blend of Cab and Shiraz, 16 months in American oak (40% new barrels) and the house style of course. Deep red-purple colour. Sweet dark berries, coffee bean, coconut and wood spice. Loads of oak flavour and texture that I found overpowering. The palate is filled with dry extract (grape and oak) and thick, powdery tannins.
Pepperjack Chardonnay 22 - Adelaide Hills and Padthaway. Light straw colour. White peach, citrus, spice and toasty oak. A little more oaky than the 21 and tangy acidity. This will fill out and improve over the next 12 months.
Pepperjack Certified Shiraz Cabernet 18 - I spotted this among the current release 19s and grabbed it. Deep red-purple colour. Big flavours and tannins, but smooth and seductive. Blackberry, plums, cherry, spice, sweet oak and loads of soft, powdery tannin. Feels a bit warm, but the generosity of this will win you over every time.
March -
d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 22 - A 67/33 blend. Basket pressed and a small amount matured in French oak for 8 months. Pear, apricot, citrus and spice. Clean and fresh on the palate, not savoury like these used to be. Feel some texture in this however with a slightly honeyed finish.
Pierre Brevin Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc 21 - Light gold colour. This is clean and ultra fruit driven. Strong gooseberry, tropical fruit, cut grass and wound up with piercing, tangy acidity.
Tahbilk Shiraz 18 - The winemaking has been tweaked a little over the years. This was fermented in large, open vats, then matured in a mix of small barrels and old, large casks. (Mostly French oak.) Dark plums, blackberry, some earth and spice. Just 14% alc, but feels warm and a bit porty. The tannin won’t be going anywhere for a while, so it needs some time anyway.
Plessis-Duval Sevre et Maine Muscadet 20 - Loire Valley. Light straw colour and musky. Citrus, peach, melon and white flowers. Lots of fresh acidity that powers up the fruit driven feel to it and moderately dry finish.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 22 - Clare Valley. Pale colour, some green perhaps, and very aromatic. Limes, tropical fruit and bath salts. A bit leaner than the previous vintage. Clean, juicy acidity and a dry finish.
III Associates Renaissance Cab Sav Merlot 21 - McLaren Vale. This is an old label, because they have changed the brand name to Thicker Than Water. Same winemaker and the same deeply coloured and elegant wines. Got 9 months in older French oak. A bold purple colour and perfumed. Sweet dark fruits, cherry, plum, spice and slightly herbaceous. Feels smooth and medium-bodied on the palate with some nice dusty tannin.
Hardys HRB Shiraz 18 - Gold medals from the major capital wine shows. Big expectations and maybe it feels like a show style shiraz. Or just a nice wine to drink. A multi-regional blend from McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Frankland River. Got 16 months in French oak. Deep red-purple colour and florals. Mulberry, plums, cherry, chocolate and spice. Smooth and robust with soft, persistent tannins.
Eden Hall Springton Riesling 22 - Eden Valley. A family owned winery and the winemaker is Phil Lehmann. Green straw colour with aromas of limes and florals. Feels almost lush on the mid-palate with citrus and tropical fruit. Really notice the robust fruit intensity in this and minerally finish.
Hesketh Eden Valley Riesling 22 - This Regional Selections wine is all about matching the region and grape. Low temp fermentation of free-run juice in a stainless steel tank to preserve the aromatics and fruit purity. However a small portion of pressings is added back, which gives this some funky, grapey texture as it warms up in the glass. Straw colour and florals. Limes, grapefruit and lots of fresh acidity with a dry finish.
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 22 - Riesling producers reckon this is an outstanding vintage. So you should see great fruit and ageability in wines like this. Light straw colour and fragrant lime/citrus character. The mix of lush, sweet fruited mid-palate and racy fresh acidity feels almost perfect in its simplicity.
Seppelt Gruner Veltliner 18 - I have drunk a few bottles, and this could be in the best part of its drinking window. It is unexpected (for me anyway) how pleasant this is, but encouraging to try GV with some age on it. A little colour and still very fresh. Citrus, pear, quince and toast with a slightly honeyed finish.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 20 - A 51/49 blend of Cab and Shiraz, 12 months in American oak, some of them old Grange barrels and 33% new barrels. Deep, plush red-purple colour. Rich fruit with lots of intensity. Sourced from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Padthaway, and maybe they should stick with that. Blackberry, plums, cherry, spice, chocolate and mocha oak. Oak and tannin are an important feature, but this is seamless even with the powdery tannins. A long finish.
Sidewood Chardonnay 22 - Sourced from their Mappinga and Ironstone Road vineyards. Free-run, wild yeast and 10 months in French oak barrels. Yellow straw colour. Lots of stonefruit, citrus, a hint of wild honey and spicy oak.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - Handpicked, wild yeast and a big portion of it barrel fermented. A 70/30 mix of wine aged for 5 months in French oak and stainless steel tank. Straw coloured in the glass. Nashi pear, grapefruit, orange blossom and spice. This is fresh, but textured with a minerally feel to it and a dry finish.
Boat O’Craigo Black Spur Gruner Veltliner 22 - Handpicked, some skin contact, light solids and 4 months maturation a stainless steel tank. Light gold colour and very aromatic. Citrus, pear, pepper and spice. This is clean tasting with some body and texture and a dry finish.
Boat O’Craigo Black Cameron Shiraz 20 - This comes from a Kangaroo Ground vineyard in Yarra Valley. It was co-fermented with 2% viognier in open pots. Got 9 months in old and new French oak barrels. Ruby coloured and perfumed. Cherry, dark plums, dried herbs and spice. Feels brambly like a pinot the way cool-climate shiraz sometimes does. I noticed the acidity more than the subtle tannins. It is smooth and medium-bodied on the palate with an earthy finish.
Rochford Estate Chardonnay 21 - The fruit comes from vineyards in Gruyere and Woori Yallock. Whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented. Got 10 months maturation in a mix of French oak barriques, puncheons and a foudre. Some of those barrels were left to go through malo. Straw colour. Grapefruit, peach, cashew oak and spice. Feels smooth on the palate showing some leesy/barrel influences balanced with lots of citrusy fruit and acidity.
Rochford Estate Cabernet Franc 21 - The fruit comes off the Hill Rd vineyard. Handpicked, whole berry and 10 months in older French oak barrels. Nice red-purple colour. Mulberry, red fruits, dried herbs, fennel and earth. Medium-bodied and feels fresh and fruit driven as a young wine with soft, powdery tannins.
April -
Tempus Two Gruner Veltliner 21 - This is coming up nice with an extra year on it. Light gold colour and aromatic. A lighter style with stonefruit, citrus and spice. Also a pleasant honey/candy note that I am noticing in it now.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 21 - Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. This feels rounder and softer with bigger fruit spectrum than the leaner current vintage 22. Light straw colour with citrus blossom, talcum and limes. Really like the way the fresh citrus fills the palate and flourish of clean acid on the finish.
St Huberts Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - This was sourced from Block 4 on the St Huberts vineyard. Winemaker is Greg Jarratt at the Coldstream Hills winery. Aged for 17 months in French oak barriques. Red-purple colour and medium-bodied. A woody herb note, which Yarra Cab has sometimes. Cassis, mulberry, cedar, dried herbs and typical leafy character with powdery tannins.
Deep Woods Estate Hillside Chardonnay 22 - Wild yeast and a mix of old and new French oak barrels. Light straw colour. Lots of fresh acidity and toasty oak. Grapefruit, white peach and melon. Shows more tropical fruit as it warms up in the glass, typical of the Gin Gin clone widely planted in Margaret River.
Coldstream Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 16 - I drank this over a couple of nights. The fruit comes off the 30yo G Block, open fermenter, extended maceration and 16 months in French oak barrels. Some cassis/berry and leafy character. But the cedar oak is still very obvious in it. I wish had seen more positive elements in this. The fruit and strong tannins are ripe, but there’s not much finesse or complexity.
Toolangi Pinot Noir 21 - MV6 clone, some whole bunch, mostly older French oak and 10 months in the barrels. Ruby coloured. A lighter style of Pinot, maybe showing a bit too much acidity right now. Strawberry, plums, spice and soft tannins.
Pepperjack Grenache 20 - McLaren Vale and Barossa. A dark crimson red colour. Got 12 months maturation in a mix of tank and oak barrels. This is very aromatic and fruit driven. Not much obvious oak, and feels seamless. Raspberry, cherry and cranberry with warm spices and soft tannins.
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz 18 - A 54/46 blend. This had 21 months maturation in French, Hungarian and American oak barrels. (33% new oak.) The fruit has hoovered up all that oak, and it is a beautifully balanced wine. Deeply coloured and brambly with blackberry, dark plums, tobacco, dried herbs and spice. Feels elegant with slow building tannins. You start to explore that a bit more with each glass. A wine that you want to have in the cellar, no doubt it will be enjoyed over many years.
Elephant in the Room Phenomenal Fiano 21 - Light gold colour. Pear, citrus, honey and some texture.
Penfolds Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Says Napa Valley on the label. It is actually 88% Napa Valley and 12% Sonoma Valley. A dense red-purple colour. This doesn’t have the great aromatics of a 407, rather it feels pretty straightforward. Lots of sweet fruit and oak flavour. Got 16 months in French oak barriques, 40% new. Blackberry, cassis, cranberry, licorice strap and cocoa. The lush, sweet fruit in this gives way very quickly to the cedary oak and tannin. Feels like there is a lot of extracted tannin that shows itself from start to finish.
Marquis de Surblet Chinon Cabernet Franc 19 - DOC. Ruby coloured and very aromatic. Raspberry, red currants, blackberry, some dried herbs and feels fruit driven. Just 13% alc. This is medium-bodied with soft tannins on the palate.
Ohhi Poitou Haut-Poitou Sauvignon Blanc 21 - Loire Valley. Light straw colour and very aromatic. Strong gooseberry and tropical fruit. Shows some grassy character as it warms up in the glass with fresh acidity and moderately dry.
Chemin des Papes Cotes-du-Rhone 20 - Ruby coloured. Lighter southern Rhone blend, which is mostly Grenache and Syrah. No oak influence, this is all about the fruit. Red fruits, blackberry and spice. Feels warm with a little tannin.
Domaine de Blayac Minervois 19 - A 5th generation winemaker based at La Croix near Carcassonne. This is a blend of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache Noir. Garnet red colour. Feels smooth and medium-bodied. Raspberry, blackberry, coffee, spice and soft tannins.
Yering Station Yarra Chardonnay 22 - There seem to be various labels after the Estate depending on what retailer you buy from. I am guessing they are pretty similar if they have Yarra, Into the Yarra or Village on the label. Light straw colour. White flowers, citrus, with typical Yarra melon and peach. Feels soft as it warms up in the glass as well as some underlying acidity and subtle spice.
Paringa Estate Riesling 22 - Not a lot of Riesling from Mornington Peninsula, so this is interesting anyway. It comes off a 30yo vineyard on Callanans Rd. The back label says 20% fermented in older oak puncheons, the rest in a tank. The website says it is half and half. Light straw colour. Good intensity, although not as fruity or varietal as the SA style. Grapefruit, spice and slightly savoury with a dry finish.
Annie’s Lane Cabernet Merlot 21 - A Treasury brand wine and no sign of its old Clare Valley roots in this wine anymore. In fact it has Adelaide on the front label. Nice intensity of colour and fruit. Blackcurrant, mulberry, plums and slightly sweet oak. It is medium-bodied with soft, dry tannins.
Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 20 - Looking for something different to the 28, because this is a Coonawarra shiraz. Got 12 months in French oak barrels, which is also a point of differentiation to the 28. Deeply coloured and dense. Good aromatics. Some pepper, mulberry, plums and dried herbs. I expected a bit more subtlety with this vintage. But the house style dominates. The oak features on the palate and it has the usual powdery tannin.
May -
Eden Hall Gruner Veltliner 21 - This is grown next to the riesling in their vineyard. Similarly ultra clean and fresh. Loads of aromatics that change in the glass. Citrus, garden flowers and spice. Some candy too. You start to notice the texture when you get into it. Feels fruit driven with subtle, soft acidity and long.
Wynns Shiraz 21 - I drank this over a couple of nights. Really good vibrant colour and intensity. More dark fruits than red showing the warm vintage and riper fruit spectrum. Blackberry, mulberry, fennel and spice. Subtle oak and the aftertaste got more interesting the longer it sat in the glass. Slow dry tannins. You just know the best will come with some years on it.
Taylors Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 17 - A blend of Clare Valley and Coonawarra fruit. It was a cool, wet vintage and it shows. Got about 12 months in French oak. Deep red-purple colour. Blackcurrant, mulberry, tobacco leaf, loads of choc-mint and cedary oak with some obvious green character that also comes up in the tannins. Feels much more balanced on the second night that I had it open however.
Croser Vintage 18 - A 76/24 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sourced from the Piccadilly vineyard in Adelaide Hills. Got 3 yrs on lees before disgorging. Really fresh in the glass. Light gold colour and slow, steady bead. Green apple, wild strawberry and cashew. Subtle bready character with a slightly savoury, dry finish.
Taylors Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - A 60/40 blend of Coonawarra and Clare Valley. Not surprised the bigger portion is Coonawarra this time. Got 12 months in second use French oak barrels. A warmer vintage and quite different to the 17. Lush purple colour. Cassis, blackberry, subtle mint and cedary oak. But it is richer and moreish on the palate with big, powdery tannins through the finish.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - Limestone Coast and Clare Valley. A strong red-purple colour and full-bodied. Blackcurrant, tomato leaf, spice and some typical eucalypt. Showing lots of new oak influence, which needs time to integrate better. The cedar and dark chocolate as well as tannin could have been dialed back a little. But hopefully this improves with some age on it.
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz 16 - Released in 2020, this vintage featuring the winemaker Louisa Rose. A 53/47 blend. Got 21 months in a mix of oak barrels that were coopered at Yalumba. Black purple colour and nice leafy/cassis aromatics. Showing great fruit and some earthy aged development. Blackcurrant, dark plums, aniseed, spice and cedar. Feels balanced with persistent tannins. A long, earthy finish that I could still taste the next day.
Fraser Gallop Estate Cabernet Merlot 19 - Margaret River. Got 9 months in older French oak barrels. A lighter red-purple colour and medium-bodied. Just 13.4% alcohol. Not up to the standard of previous vintages that I’ve had however. Lacking fruit intensity. But I drank this over two nights, it was much better on the second. Mulberry, plums, dried herbs with subtle, savoury oak and dusty tannins.
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - This is the black label Cab. It was fermented in small batches and got 14 months in French oak barrels (40% new) before blending. A crimson to purple colour. Just 14% alcohol. Blackcurrant, mulberry, dried herbs and mint, with a layer of moreish tannin through the palate. Feels more savoury, which I am noticing with some Cabs lately.
Houghton Premium Release Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - Frankland River. 16 months in French oak. Got the distinctive regional dark fruits and spice. Cassis, mulberry, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Feels medium-bodied with soft tannins.
Brookland Valley Reserve Chardonnay 20 - Sourced from their oldest blocks at Brookland Valley in Margaret River. Got 9 months in French oak barrels. Yellow straw colour. Grapefruit, nectarine and melon. Showing a generous oaky/malo style with almond, brioche and oak spice. Lots of leesy influence and a long finish.
Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - A wild ferment and 11 months in French oak barrels. A bit of malbec and petit verdot in this. Garnet red colour and fragrant. Feels medium-bodied. Dark berries, blood plums, chocolate, spice and soft, powdery tannins.
Ironcloud Pepperilly Sav Blanc Semillon 22 - Ferguson Valley, WA. A cool ferment in steel tanks and 6 months on lees. Gives this body and texture as well as freshness. Citrus, tropical fruit, cut grass and herbs. Clean and subtle rather than fruity with a moderately dry finish.
Alkoomi Grazing Collection Cabernet Merlot 21 - Frankland River. Got 12 months in French oak barrels. I am finding both red and dark fruits in WA Cabs as I explore them more like this one. Cassis, mulberry, red fruits and dried herbs. This is medium-bodied and smooth with dusty tannins.
Byron & Harold Estate Rose & Thorns Shiraz 20 - Great Southern. Got 16 months in French oak barrels. Vibrant red-purple colour. Initially peppery and plummy. Opens up in the glass with dark cherry, oak spice and aniseed. A reasonably long finish and firm tannins.
Sandalford 1840 Chenin Blanc 23 - This is old vine estate fruit. A 50/50 blend of steel tank and older oak barrels. I was told they were the Chardonnay barrels. Light straw colour. Glorious fruit showing apple and citrus with some soft, leesy influence on the mid-palate and a dry finish.
Sandalford 1840 Verdelho 23 - The vines are in the wine. The sunshine and rolling vineyards next to the river in the Swan Valley. They regard this as a very good vintage and I can see why. Free-run juice, tank fermented and briefly on lees. Straw coloured and very aromatic. Melon, guava, tropical fruit and subtle spice. This is clean and fresh with a dry finish.
Sandalford Margaret River Rose 22 - They make this using shiraz. Gentle pressing, cold ferment and a short time on skins. Pale salmon colour and aiming for a Provencal style. Raspberry, cherry, turkish delight with some savoury spice and a clean, dry finish.
Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Wilyabrup, WA. I was told the northern area of MR is warmer, it feels different to the southern half anyway. A bit of earthy malbec in this. Got 13 months in French oak barrels, some of them new. Purpley with violets, sweet dark berries, chocolate and cedar. Feels smooth and balanced with dusty tannins.
Sandalford Estate Reserve Verdelho 23 - Wilyabrup, WA. A bit the same and a bit different to the Swan Valley one. Good varietal character and fruit intensity, but more ginger and spice. A pale lemon colour and florally with pristine fruit. Citrus, honeydew, rockmelon and spice. Feeling the steely acidity in this.
June -
Stella Bella Semillon Sav Blanc 22 - The semillon comes from the Luminosa vineyard and the sb from their Rosa Brook Rd vineyard. Green straw colour and clean. This is perfumed with a punchy, fruit driven feel to it. Nashi pear, citrus and tropical fruit. Lots of natural acidity and a moderately dry finish.
Hentley Farm Villain & Vixen Shiraz 21 - Got 15 months in older French oak. Deeply coloured, but feels soft and medium-bodied. Dark plums, mulberry and licorice with some earthy character. Smooth tannins running through the finish.
Jeanneret SGM 21 - A rustic Clare Valley blend. Lots of purple colour and spicy aromatics. A bit warm on the palate. Got 11 months in French oak barrels. Dark cherry, blueberry, red fruits and savoury oak with a brambly finish.
Seppeltsfield 10yo Para Port - Gotta love the familiarity in this. Shades of tawny brown and olive in the colour. Warm, viscous with typical rancio character. Hazelnut, almonds, bush honey, caramel, raisins and sufficient spirit for a long finish.
Innocent Bystander Syrah 21 - Upper and lower Yarra Valley fruit. Some of it whole bunch, wild ferment and 10 months in mostly older French oak barrels. Ruby red colour and peppery. Plums, cherry, spice and soft tannins.
Wirra Wirra Chardonnay 22 - Adelaide. Whole bunch pressed, wild ferment and a mix of French oak barrels used. Straw coloured and florals. This comes up nice in the glass. Citrus, nectarine, fresh hay, spice and lightly oaked.
Brookland Valley Discovery Chardonnay 22 - A regional blend from Margaret River. Got 9 months in French oak barriques. Straw colour and very fresh. Peach, nectarine and tropical fruit. Some spicy oak and leesy influence showing on the palate adding texture to that.
Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz 16 - This is in a nice spot for drinking with some developing aged character. Blackberry, red fruits, earth, tobacco and spice. The tannins are a bit softer now. A long aftertaste that I could still taste the next morning.
Xanadu Chardonnay 21 - All Gin Gin clone, whole bunch pressed, wild yeast, 9 months in French oak barrels with lees stirring, but no malo. Straw coloured and elegant. Latent energy driven by pristine fruit and acidity. Stonefruit, pear, grapefruit and spicy oak. Really like the subtle leesy/barrel influence through the palate.
Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz 21 - A vibrant red-purple colour and medium-bodied. Lots of sweet Barossa fruit. Plums, red fruits and dark chocolate with smooth tannins.
Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - I have drunk a few bottles of this now. It’s funny the way you start to look for the things you like in a wine after that. Got the dark berries, plums, spice and soft tannins that I noticed early on. Now I am getting more dried spice and capsicum in this.
Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 22 - Drawn from a number of vineyards, wild yeast, battonage and 7 months in French oak. Notice the yellow straw colour. But this is clean fruited and elegant. Stonefruit, citrus, pear and spice. Feels disarmingly mid-weight with some leesy influence, subtle oak and nicely balanced.
Flametree Cabernet Merlot 18 - This also has a small amount of malbec and petit verdot. Sourced from their contract growers mostly in the northern half of MR. Got 14 months in French oak barrels. Really like the aromatics in this. Violets, mulberry, plum and chocolate. Some warm earth and aniseed as it opens up more. Feels medium-bodied with moderately firm tannins.
Forester Estate Chardonnay 22 - Another northern MR winery. Gin Gin clone. Straw coloured. Got 10 months in French oak barrels, which is a bit more overt than I was expecting. Stonefruit, tropical fruit, with nutty/toasty oak, nougat and spice. Some leesy influence and feels softer and richer on the mid-palate, but it’s pretty tight.
Punt Road Chardonnay 22 - Yarra Valley. Whole bunch pressed, some of it wild yeast, 10 months in French oak barrels and half went through malo. Light gold colour and really lovely clean fruit. Stonefruit, melon, citrus with subtle honey and spice on the finish. Just enough leesy/malo influence to give this a supple, smooth texture.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - New vintage. Got 14 months in different size French oak barrels/vats, 24% new. Showing elements of a good vintage BL if you are still buying them. Lush red-purple colour and medium-bodied. Perfumed and leafy with a slightly sweet mid-palate. Cassis, mulberry, cocoa, some savoury oak and moderately chalky tannins.
Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay 20 - This has filled out nicely since the last time I had it 6 months ago. Straw coloured and loads of orchard fruit. Nectarine, peach, citrus and subtle spicy/toasty oak. Showing leesy softness and barrel character on the mid-palate balanced with some pretty tight acidity.
Sidewood Pinot Noir 22 - Wild yeast, whole berry, some of it whole bunch fermented and 10 months in French oak barrels. Ruby red colour and fresh aromatics. Strawberry, sour cherry, rhubarb and spice. A bit more earthy as it opens up in the glass. Robust with fruit driven acidity and soft tannins.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - Handpicked over a two week period, so the grapes probably had varying degree of ripeness. Wild yeast, barrel fermented, 5 months in a mix of tank and large format French oak. Light straw colour. Really clean and fresh even with that barrel input. Citrus blossom, nashi pear, green apple, spice and a minerally finish.
Sidewood Shiraz 20 - Much the same winemaking as the Pinot Noir. Wild yeast, whole berry, some whole bunch and 15 months in French oak. Lots of different shiraz clones however. Really combines cool-climate character and subtle fruit power. Strong colour and very aromatic. Pepper, dark plums, blackberry, spice and earthy with beautifully integrated velvety tannins.
2023 tasting notes
Re: 2023 tasting notes
July -
De Bortoli Wizardry Grenache 20 - Heathcote fruit. This is is still around, so I keep buying it. Wondering if the unusual 2020 vintage gives it something I like in it that won’t be in a typically warmer vintage. Ruby coloured. While this is red fruited and a little spicy, it has a nice savoury feel and soft tannins.
Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - Got this at BWS and went back to buy another 3 bottles while it’s on special for $15. WA and McLaren Vale fruit. Purpley with lifted aromatics and brambly fruit intensity. Blackcurrant, dried herbs, spice and smooth tannins.
Tim Adams Pinot Gris 22 - Sourced from a number of vineyards, incl. their own. A little skin contact. A pink gold colour. Pear, lychee, white peach and subtle spice. Feel some body and texture in this balanced with fresh acidity. A dry, slightly grippy finish, which seems to be a trademark of their whites.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - You would pick this as a Coonawarra Cab in a heartbeat. Lustrous red-purple colour with typical cassis, mulberry, cedar and earth. Got 19 months in French oak, but it doesn’t dominate the wine. Showing some mint and dried herb character when you get into it. This is 14.8% alcohol and definitely full-bodied however. Slow building powdery tannins on a long finish.
Chapel Hill The MV Gorge Block Chardonnay 22 - This is up in the hilly parts of McLaren Vale, if you have been there you know what I mean. Straw coloured. Clean fruited with well judged oak influence. Just works so well together. White peach, stonefruit, citrus, brioche and spicy French oak. Mouthfilling and long.
Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - Not had a Leconfield for a while. Aged in 43% new French oak barrels for 18 months. 14.5% alcohol. Legs in the glass. Deep red-purple colour. A bigger, rich Coonawarra Cab style. Cassis, mulberry, dark olive, bay leaf, spice and cedar. Lots of extract and fruit intensity. Feels full-bodied and a bit warm with grainy tannins.
Majella Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - Got 18 months in French oak barriques. Full-bodied, big style of Cab typically, but this feels wound back a bit which could be the vintage. The alc is 14.5%, often it is 15%. Deeply coloured with cassis, plums, cedar, mint and some capsicum. Loads of fruit intensity and smooth, powdery tannins.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - The colour probably hasn’t changed too much, this is still purpley and dark at the core. The back label says it is 13.5% alc, but feels full-bodied. Got 50/50 French and American oak for 13 months. Really subtle aromatics changing in the glass. Sweet oak, blackcurrant, mulberry, mint, a red note (cranberry), earth and leather. Smooth with powdery tannins.
Robert Oatley Signature Series McLaren Vale Shiraz 20 - Not an obvious McLaren Vale shiraz, the weight and body feels a bit pinot like. Ruby colour. The flavour profile is a lighter style shiraz. Red fruits, blueberry, cherry, spice, subtle French oak and noticeable sour acidity. Velvety smooth with soft tannins.
Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz 21 - Open fermenter, basket pressed and 12 months in older French oak hogsheads and foudre. Glossy red-purple colour and very aromatic. Lush and fruit driven, no surprise this is 15% alcohol. Legs in the glass. Dark plums, blackberry, red cherries and spice. Supple and long with banging flavours and soft tannins.
Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 21 - Grampians and Heathcote. But to be honest, feels like it could come from anywhere. This is made in the Barossa these days. Winemaker is Clare Dry, who has worked at Wolf Blass for some time. Got 10 months in French oak, 25% new barrels. Deep red-purple colour. Plums, blackberry, mulberry and spice. Jam like intensity. No surprise it is 14.5% alcohol, it feels warm. Initially soft with slow building powdery tannin.
Best’s Bin No.1 Shiraz 21 - Great Western. Maturation in large format oak, which typically has a subtle, savoury influence on this wine. Give this lots of air time, the longer the better. Garnet red colour and medium-bodied. Just love the aromatics. Florals, cupboard spices and pepper. Fresh and beautifully balanced. Dark plums, mulberry, dried herbs and fennel with dusty tannins.
August -
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - A bit of malbec and petit verdot in this. The back label says some of it had extended maceration on skins. Got 14 months in French oak, 40% new. But it doesn’t look or feel extracted. Velvety red-purple colour and great aromatics. Lots going on in this. Blackcurrant, mulberry, plums, capsicum, cedar and dried herbs. Nicely balanced with powdery tannins.
Peter Lehmann The Bond Grenache 21 - Got this at the bottlo. Aged in a mix of French and American oak for 14 months. Gee that oak is well hidden. Ruby coloured and sweet musky aromas. Raspberry, cherry and spice. Feels lush and medium-bodied with soft tannins.
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 22 - Adelaide Hills. I was looking for my last tasting note on this, it has been a while. Buy it regularly however. Like the way it is starting to fill out now. Light straw colour. Florals, stonefruit, citrus and spice. The leesy/oak influence is obvious in this, but feels totally right.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 21 - Got 12 months in American oak, some of it new barrels. Just thinking not many shiraz are all American oak these days. Showing the house style and you can cellar it if you want of course. Lustrous red-purple colour. Legs in the glass. What I noticed with this too is just how integrated it feels. Blackberry, plum, spice, sweet mocha and soft, perfectly honed tannins.
Coriole Sangiovese 22 - A blend of various clones from four McLaren Vale vineyards. Ruby coloured and medium-bodied. Really like the florally aromatics and softer feel to it. Much better integrated savoury oak these days. Cherry, red fruits, dried herbs and earth with moderately firm tannins.
John Duval Plexus 21 - A big Barossa SGM. I drank this over a couple of nights. Tough going, this is dark and brooding. Where are the red fruits? Got 15 months in French oak, which is much too strong. Blackberry, dark plum, licorice, spice and mocha oak. Lots of savoury character and earthy. Feels warm and chocolatey with dense tannins.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige DOC 21 - Very typical of the early picked, dry style from the Alto Adige region of northern Italy. Light straw colour. No skin contact or oak, so this is clean and aromatic. Sometimes these PGs can be pretty neutral, this has nice fruit character however. Green apple, pear, citrus and a hint of honey as it warms up in the glass. A bone dry finish that it is well known for.
Pizzini Pinot Grigio 22 - The fruit comes from a number of vineyards in King Valley. You see them as you drive along Whitfield Road winding around the Vic Alps. Various picking days, so this has wider breadth of ripeness and flavour. No skin contact and fermented in stainless steel tank. Green straw colour. Citrus blossom, wildflowers, apple, ripe pears. Strong varietal character. Generous on the mid-palate with fresh acidity and a dry finish.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - Adelaide Hills. Handpicked over a two week period. Wild yeast, barrel fermented, 5 months in a mix of tank and large format French oak. Light straw colour. Really clean and fresh. The fruit comes to the fore while the barrel influence has a subtle, slightly savoury note. Citrus blossom, nashi pear, green apple, spice and a minerally finish.
Quealy Musk Creek Pinot Gris 22 - A cooler, elevated vineyard with later ripening fruit that suits this style of PG. Whole bunch, a sparkling yeast, no sulphur. A 50/50 blend of oak barrel and tank. Some lees stirring. Straw/pink coloured and perfumed. Initially lean and linear with taut acidity. Generous fruit in there as it warms up, especially on the mid-palate. Pear, citrus and bush honey. Deeper texture and full-bodied with more spice and mineral character. Showing some phenolics and a contrasting dry finish.
Scorpo Pinot Gris 21 - A small winery at Merricks North, Mornington Peninsula. Originally it was an old apple and cherry orchard. Handpicked, whole bunch, wild yeast and barrel fermented in older French oak. Got about 12 months ageing in oak. Looking for that balance of fruit and savoury influence with this richer style of PG. Let it warm up in the glass. Yellow straw colour. Apple, apricot, pear, spice with typical viscous mouthfeel. Fruit sweet or savoury or a bit of both.
Pepperjack Certified Shiraz Cabernet 19 - Got 15 months in old and new oak. I drank this over a couple of nights. It doesn’t change, it just powers on. Purpley and warm. Dark plum, blackcurrant, mint and spice. Rich and plush on the palate, with sweet oak and soft, powdery tannins.
Phaedrus Shiraz 21 - Red-purple colour with a satiny sheen and loads of spicy aromatics. Really fresh and robust. Plum, blackberry, spice, aniseed and dried herbs. Not too much oak influence in this. It is 13.5% alcohol, and definitely medium-bodied. Feels a bit more earthy on the palate when you get into it and savoury dry tannins.
Deep Woods Estate Cabernet Merlot 20 - A bit of malbec in this too. Sourced from original estate vines planted in 1987. Matured for 18 months in new and old French oak barriques. Deep red-purple and violet scented. A hint of something green like tomato leaf or mint perhaps. Mulberry, blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and savoury oak. Moderate powdery tannins and a brambly finish.
Parker Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - I got this 2 for $24 and drunk both now. Apparently this is a “riper” style and it comes in at 14.5% alc. Open fermenters and 12 months in old French oak barrels. A bright red-purple colour. Really fresh. Jumping out of the glass. Cassis, cherry, mint, dried herbs, spice and earth. Loads of Coonawarra Cabernet character. Soft tannins and a savoury finish.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 19 - The colour probably isn’t much different from when it was released. Got 12 months in American oak. Shows the house style, which is typically loads of rich, sweet fruit and oak. A real surprise, however, because this is drinking nicely with just a few years on it. Blackberry, cranberry, spice and mocha. Also some earthy/leather character. Soft, but long running tannins through the finish.
September -
Phaedrus Pinot Gris 23 - 2023 was a challenging vintage, lots of wet weather and low yields. Whites will be OK, maybe not the reds. A warmer site probably helped however. Some skin contact before pressing gives this a blush of colour. Tank fermented, no oak. Loads of clean varietal character. Musky with pear, apple and spice. Soft and florally and a moderately dry finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - Got 16 months in French oak barrels, 21% new. Deep purple colour. Cassis, mulberry, mint, cedar, olive and herbs. The latter indicative of the vintage I would think. This is plush on the mid-palate and medium-bodied coming in at 13.9% alc, which is typical of recent BLs. Slightly grippy tannins, but feels balanced. This could be a sleeper if you keep it.
Seppelt Gruner Veltliner 18 - This is starting to sweeten up. Like eating sweet oranges on a warm summer day with the juice running down your arm. A little straw colour, not too much. Citrus, pear, spice and some nice subtle texture. Really enjoying the contrast of tangy acidity and long honey/toasty finish.
Phaedrus Fume Blanc 22 - The SB fruit is brought in from another vineyard. Free-run juice, wild yeast, older French oak barrels and some lees stirring. Light gold colour. Tropical fruit, spice, vanilla pod and fresh acidity.
Phaedrus Fiano 23 - This is early picked, lightly pressed, wild yeast and tank fermented. It is made in a way that retains fruit character and fresh acidity. Straw colour with subtle stonefruit and typical floral/spicy character.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 21 - Drank this over a couple of nights. Didn’t change too much. All American oak for 12 months, 37% new. A dense purple colour. Blackberry, dark plums, spice, mint and loads of sweet mocha oak. Those powdery tannins are well… powdery. Robust and warm. Elemental and needs time if you like the style. Just feels like it has come off a factory bottling line however.
Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 19 - This is made in the Italian style, though picked at different times. Natural acidity features in the wine. Buckets of grapes go directly into the press and fermentation is at ambient temp, so this is hands-on small batch and fairly rudimentary winemaking. Some leesy influence. It feels real. Straw coloured and musky. Citrus, pear, honeydew and a slightly savoury, dry finish.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - Another bottle of this and it has probably hit a sweet spot with 10 years on it. Purpley and aromatic. Really opens up in the glass. Both American and French oak, and I’m guessing that was about getting structure without the obvious flavour. A nice subtle mix of oak/fruit in any case. Showing cassis, mulberry, dried herbs, chocolate and some earthy aged character. Smooth tannins and long.
Miceli Lucy’s Choice Pinot Noir 18 - They are 250m above sea level on a steep slope at Arthurs Seat. Red soil, close planting and Scott Henry trellising. Red grapes are crushed directly into an open fermenter. Goes into a mix of barrels. Small batch made, but there is only one Pinot. Ruby red colour. Strawberry, cherry, rhubarb and spice. Some forest floor as it opens up more in the glass and soft tannins.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Chardonnay 22 - Estate fruit, organic farming methods and matured in terracotta amphora. Light gold colour and some struck match early on. Citrus, nectarine, peach and loads of rich leesy, savoury influences. Feels silky with fresh acidity and a dry finish.
St Hallett Faith Shiraz 22 - This is soft and fruit driven. Blackberry, cherry, spice with moderate tannin and a savoury dry finish.
Vickery Watervale Riesling 22 - Sourced from 7 different vineyards with vines dating back to the 70s. Loads of varietal character getting the best out of a really good vintage. Pale straw colour and musky. Super clean on the palate and minerally acidity. Citrus blossom, lime juice, grapefruit, green apple and a dry finish.
Annie’s Lane Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Bang on for varietal character and value for money. Light straw colour and floral aromatics. Loads of fresh lime, lemon, talcum and spice. Clean, very fruit driven and refreshing with punchy acidity.
Brand’s Laira Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Nice Coonawarra feel to this. Matured in French and American oak barrels. Some bottle age has smoothed it out. Cassis, mulberry, bay leaf, spice and dusty, sweet oak. Long savoury finish with moderate tannin.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Shiraz 20 - They are at Dromana, which is a warmer part of Mornington Peninsula. Estate fruit and aged in amphora, not oak barrels. A bit slow to get going. Pinot like colour. Blackberry, rhubarb, spice, dried herbs and earth. I was expecting the fruit character to come to the fore. Rather it is a little savoury, with some serious tannin.
Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 22 - Simply the result of the grape and vintage, without any fuss or adornment. Clear and pale, with citrus blossom, lime and lemon pith. Clean, linear, loads of tangy natural acidity and a chalky, dry finish.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Pinot Noir 21 - The pick of the 3 wines I got. A lighter style indicated by the rose red colour and aromatic feel of it. Wild yeast and aged in amphora. Lots of varietal character. Rose petal, strawberry, cherry and herbs. Fills out and changes in the glass, but so very recognisable as pinot.
Vickery Watervale Riesling 23 - Rieslings from the 2023 vintage could turn out to be very good. This bottle went pretty quick. Light straw colour with delicate florals. Citrus blossom, talcum, lime and herbs. Feels almost lush and sweet fruited on the mid-palate. Punchy, citrusy acidity and a moderately dry finish.
October -
Phaedrus Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV - They don’t make a lot of this. Handpicked, wild yeast and 3 years on lees. Slow, fine bead and salmon coloured. Peach, stonefruit, some lingering, subtle brioche and a dry finish.
Mr Mick Clare Valley Rose 22 - Various red varietals go into this. Red coloured and musky aromatics. Clean and very fruit driven. Cherry, red fruits, vanilla, musk stick and a moderately dry finish.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 20 - 2nd bottle that I’ve opened. Feels very smooth, but showing more oak flavour this time. Lots of blackberry, plum, cherry and spice. Fills out the mid-palate with all that fruit and oak. Sweet cocoa/mocha oak and big, powdery tannins.
Hesketh Eden Valley Riesling 22 - I had a bottle earlier in the year and this is pretty much the same. No surprise it still feels tight. It is made by Keeda Zilm, who also makes the Vickery riesling. Just combines grape and regional character so well. Straw coloured and florals. Robust lime and grapefruit with clean, steely acidity and some texture on a dry finish.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - A pity this has got exy. Otherwise I would buy more and drink it more often. Sourced from major SA wine regions McLaren Vale, Barossa and notably Limestone Coast. Maturation for 15 months in both French and American oak. Deeply coloured with lovely leafy and cassis aromatics you often get in 407s. Got some nice intensity. Also the balance and Cab character I look for. Violets, blackcurrant, dark fruits, chocolate, kitchen herbs and smooth powdery tannin.
Mr Mick Clare Valley Riesling 22 - Light straw colour with citrus blossom, florals, lime and typical fresh acidity. A touch of fruit sweetness across the mid-palate, also a hint of kero. Or at least suggested it enough to make me think this will go kero over the next few years.
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 15 - Matured for 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Red-purple colour with lifted berry and slightly herbaceous aromas. Blackcurrant, mulberry, mint, bay leaf, red currants, some mellowed oak flavour and dusty tannins. Not the best vintage of this I’ve had recently. At this point in time it probably needs to go longer anyway.
Phaedrus Reserve Pinot Noir 21 - The fruit comes off a one acre block and gets their best barrels. Foot crushing, wild yeast, French oak and extended elevage. Ruby red colour and very aromatic. Cherry, red fruits, rhubarb and spice. Changes and builds on the palate with each glass. Notice the vice-like acidity in this rather than the soft tannin. Really good on release, but you should get some age on these Reserves.
Pepperjack Shiraz Cabernet 21 - Couldn’t be anything else, but a Barossa red. Dense red-purple colour and jumping out of the glass. Violets, mocha, dark berries, raspberry and licorice. Smooth with sweet, rich flavours and soft, powdery tannins.
Taylors Estate Riesling 23 - Green straw colour and a fresh, zesty style. Citrus blossom, lime, lemon and some tropical fruit. Usually a little fruit sweet, but this has been reined in. Loads of grapey acidity with a moderately dry finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - I drank this over a couple of nights. Purpley and loads of cassis and dark berries. Initially smooth with some sweet, minty fruit on the mid-palate. Nice balance of fruit and tannin. It is also in a typical slow burn phase now, and feels a bit tight and dense. Will probably come up much better at the ten year mark and for a long time after that.
Wynns Black Label Shiraz 21 - The fruit comes from some of the oldest shiraz blocks in the Coonawarra, average age of vines is 75yo. Got 13 months in new and older French oak barrels. I drank this over a couple of nights, really starting to hit its straps on the second night. Lustrous red-purple colour. Pepper, mulberry, dark plums, aniseed and spice. Soft, velvety old vine fruit and beautifully integrated smooth dry tannins.
Penfolds Bin 21 Barossa Valley Grenache 22 - New bin. Matured in French oak, 6% new. The oak shouldn’t be all that important. I was expecting this to be plush and more fruit driven. Crimson red colour with legs in the glass and florals. It actually feels subdued and reticent after that however. Never really opened up. Raspberry, cherry, spice, herbs and some powdery tannin.
November -
Chapel Hill The Parson Sangiovese Rose 23 - Really enjoyed this Rose and will probably drink it again over summer. Salmon pink colour. Cherry, raspberry and musky. Some texture and subtlety with a dry finish.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Aged for 18 months in French oak. Deeply coloured. Cassis, mulberry, dried herbs, cedar, spice and earthy. Showing the red dirt character. Smooth, harmonious intensity through the palate with fine grained tannins, and balanced. The aftertaste just goes on and on.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - I have drunk a few bottles of this. Wild yeast and French oak barrel influence. Straw coloured. Pear, citrus, melon and spice. It has a telltale tangy character, which is not just the acidity, more so this vintage. Some texture and a dry finish.
Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne NV - Opened this while we watched the Melbourne Cup. Gold colour and lots of bead. Biscuit, peach, candy, brioche and quite dry on the finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - I have drunk a number of 13s and it is developing very slowly. This is still purpley. Cassis, blackberry, mint and spice. Feels full-bodied. Some earthy character with age on it and smoother tannins. But no hurry with this, another 10 yrs is the go.
Tempus Two Gruner Veltliner 21 - This is starting to develop more colour and body. Gold straw colour. Citrus, pear, tropical fruit and spice. Some texture with a very pleasant smooth, honeyed finish.
Peter Lehmann The Bond Grenache 21 - Aged for 14 months in French and American oak. Garnet red colour and nice florals. Showing the fruit rather than oak and medium-bodied. Raspberry, cherry, spice and soft tannins.
Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz 16 - Just too tempting in the wine fridge, and drinking another one. Blackberry, plum, red fruits, chocolate and earth. Feels smooth with harmony of fruit, subtle spicy oak and some aged character. Long with soft, dusty tannins.
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 16 - A blend of fruit from a handful of Barossa growers. All about depth of colour and fruit intensity. Got 19 months in French oak. Luxuriant purple colour. Dark berries, plums, aniseed, chocolate and spice. Some earth as it opens up. Big, beautiful tannins and so is everything else. A bit warm, but smoother now. All the time in the world if you have it.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 23 - Clare Valley. Pale colour and citrus blossom aromatics. Feels like a punchy, free-run style, this is pristine clean and fresh. Soft with subtle acidity. Limes, minerals, herbs and a slatey dry finish.
Grant Burge Fifth Generation Sav Blanc 21 - Adelaide Hills. Maybe not as pungent as when it was first released. But this has obvious grassy aromatics and strong varietal character. Got some nice intensity. Gooseberry, tropical fruit, cut grass, herbs and loads of natural acidity.
Sidewood Chardonnay 22 - Not done a note on this for a while, and I have drunk a few. A bit more yellow colour and slowly evolving. Citrus, stonefruit and subtle spicy/toasty oak, with some nice texture filling out the palate.
December -
Sidewood Shiraz 21 - Adelaide Hills. Wild yeast and 15 months in French oak. Deeply coloured. Dark plums, forest berries, rhubarb, chocolate and spice. Getting into it, there’s a really nice sweet earth note. This feels warm and spicy with some firm tannin.
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 19 - I opened a couple of bottles of this. One of them a little more developed than the other. Light gold colour. Melon, stonefruit, spice and a strong toasty oak character.
Sidewood Sauvignon Blanc 23 - Picked over two weeks, free-run and some lees contact in the tank. Very little colour and really fresh. Banging intensity. Citrus, cut grass, tropical fruit, nettles and clean acidity with a moderately dry finish.
Sidewood Pinot Noir 22 - Some whole bunch and whole berry ferment, wild yeast and 10 months in French oak. Lighter style with obvious pinot character. Ruby colour and fragrant. Cherry, red fruits, rhubarb and spice. Opens up nicely in the glass showing some forest floor and soft tannins.
Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay 20 - Some whole bunch, wild yeast and ten months in French oak. This has filled out and showing nice subtlety with an extra year on it. Straw colour. White peach, tropical fruit, figs and spice. Feels softer and rounder. No hurry with this however.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 15 - Deeply coloured and legs in the glass. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, cedar and wood spice. Loads of intensity. This is much too oaky and warm, however, which detracts a lot from enjoying it. Rich, dense fruit showing the house style and sleek, smooth tannins.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 15 - A 53/47 blend and 12 months in American oak, a third were new barrels. Deep, inky purple and nice florals. Cassis, sweet dark fruit, aniseed, vanilla oak and a grippy, powdery mouthfeel. Rich berry fruit, pretty good balance of fruit and oak with strong, robust tannins. This is probably just showing its structure and potential rather than anything else I think.
Annie’s Lane Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Green straw colour. Bell clear varietal character. Florals, lemon/lime and grapey mouthfeel. All about the brilliant simplicity of fruit and acidity with a clean, dry finish.
Pikes Traditionale Riesling 23 - Won a trophy for Best Riesling at the 2023 Clare Valley wine show. This is much too easy to drink. Light straw colour and flowery aromatics. Limes, tropical fruit and talcum. Really fresh and fruit driven with subtle acidity and a moderately dry finish.
Tempus Two Riesling 23 - Green straw colour and very aromatic. Lime, talcum and herbs. Feels lush and even a little fruit sweet on the palate with gentle, mouthwatering acidity.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 22 - Light straw colour. Citrus pith, fresh limes and bath salts. I have drunk a few bottles over this year, and it is filling out a bit more now. Really good fruit character and acidity.
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 23 - The 50th vintage label. Light straw colour and florals. This is clean and linear with obvious varietal character. Lemon/lime, apple, herbs and loads of zippy fruit driven acidity.
Sidewood Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV - A 60/40 blend. Wild yeast ferment initially and some of the Chardonnay got malo. The secondary ferment using Charmat or tank method. Slow, steady bead. Strawberry, stonefruit and cashew. Fresh tasting rather than overly bready with a dry finish.
Sidewood Sparkling Pinot Rose NV - 100% Pinot Noir and extended time on lees. This is under Diam closure like all of their sparklings. A pale salmon colour and steady bead. It has 8 g/L dosage, and there’s a bit of residual sugar on the palate. Florals, cherry, peach with subtle brioche and secondary influences.
Chambers Rutherglen Muscat - A 750ml bottle and under screwcap. Deep ruby colour. Loads of raisin, Turkish delight and dried fruit. Luscious, ultra smooth and ridiculously delicious with a toffee and brandy spirit finish.
Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling 23 - Not much colour, a hint of green perhaps. Lime, grapefruit, citrus rind, talcum and florals. A bit of Eden Valley austerity with this I suppose. Steely acidity running through it and a chalky dry finish.
Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Light straw colour. Florals, minerals and typical lemon/lime. The lemon coming through a bit more in this vintage. Feels tighter and firmer than some others, with deep acidity wound through it and a dry finish.
Jansz Premium Cuvee NV - Tasmania. A 66/34 blend of Chardonnay and PN. Got 18 months tirage. Pale gold colour and steady, fine bead. Citrus, strawberry, nougat and creamy texture with a lingering dry, bready finish.
De Bortoli Wizardry Grenache 20 - Heathcote fruit. This is is still around, so I keep buying it. Wondering if the unusual 2020 vintage gives it something I like in it that won’t be in a typically warmer vintage. Ruby coloured. While this is red fruited and a little spicy, it has a nice savoury feel and soft tannins.
Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - Got this at BWS and went back to buy another 3 bottles while it’s on special for $15. WA and McLaren Vale fruit. Purpley with lifted aromatics and brambly fruit intensity. Blackcurrant, dried herbs, spice and smooth tannins.
Tim Adams Pinot Gris 22 - Sourced from a number of vineyards, incl. their own. A little skin contact. A pink gold colour. Pear, lychee, white peach and subtle spice. Feel some body and texture in this balanced with fresh acidity. A dry, slightly grippy finish, which seems to be a trademark of their whites.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - You would pick this as a Coonawarra Cab in a heartbeat. Lustrous red-purple colour with typical cassis, mulberry, cedar and earth. Got 19 months in French oak, but it doesn’t dominate the wine. Showing some mint and dried herb character when you get into it. This is 14.8% alcohol and definitely full-bodied however. Slow building powdery tannins on a long finish.
Chapel Hill The MV Gorge Block Chardonnay 22 - This is up in the hilly parts of McLaren Vale, if you have been there you know what I mean. Straw coloured. Clean fruited with well judged oak influence. Just works so well together. White peach, stonefruit, citrus, brioche and spicy French oak. Mouthfilling and long.
Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - Not had a Leconfield for a while. Aged in 43% new French oak barrels for 18 months. 14.5% alcohol. Legs in the glass. Deep red-purple colour. A bigger, rich Coonawarra Cab style. Cassis, mulberry, dark olive, bay leaf, spice and cedar. Lots of extract and fruit intensity. Feels full-bodied and a bit warm with grainy tannins.
Majella Cabernet Sauvignon 19 - Got 18 months in French oak barriques. Full-bodied, big style of Cab typically, but this feels wound back a bit which could be the vintage. The alc is 14.5%, often it is 15%. Deeply coloured with cassis, plums, cedar, mint and some capsicum. Loads of fruit intensity and smooth, powdery tannins.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - The colour probably hasn’t changed too much, this is still purpley and dark at the core. The back label says it is 13.5% alc, but feels full-bodied. Got 50/50 French and American oak for 13 months. Really subtle aromatics changing in the glass. Sweet oak, blackcurrant, mulberry, mint, a red note (cranberry), earth and leather. Smooth with powdery tannins.
Robert Oatley Signature Series McLaren Vale Shiraz 20 - Not an obvious McLaren Vale shiraz, the weight and body feels a bit pinot like. Ruby colour. The flavour profile is a lighter style shiraz. Red fruits, blueberry, cherry, spice, subtle French oak and noticeable sour acidity. Velvety smooth with soft tannins.
Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz 21 - Open fermenter, basket pressed and 12 months in older French oak hogsheads and foudre. Glossy red-purple colour and very aromatic. Lush and fruit driven, no surprise this is 15% alcohol. Legs in the glass. Dark plums, blackberry, red cherries and spice. Supple and long with banging flavours and soft tannins.
Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 21 - Grampians and Heathcote. But to be honest, feels like it could come from anywhere. This is made in the Barossa these days. Winemaker is Clare Dry, who has worked at Wolf Blass for some time. Got 10 months in French oak, 25% new barrels. Deep red-purple colour. Plums, blackberry, mulberry and spice. Jam like intensity. No surprise it is 14.5% alcohol, it feels warm. Initially soft with slow building powdery tannin.
Best’s Bin No.1 Shiraz 21 - Great Western. Maturation in large format oak, which typically has a subtle, savoury influence on this wine. Give this lots of air time, the longer the better. Garnet red colour and medium-bodied. Just love the aromatics. Florals, cupboard spices and pepper. Fresh and beautifully balanced. Dark plums, mulberry, dried herbs and fennel with dusty tannins.
August -
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - A bit of malbec and petit verdot in this. The back label says some of it had extended maceration on skins. Got 14 months in French oak, 40% new. But it doesn’t look or feel extracted. Velvety red-purple colour and great aromatics. Lots going on in this. Blackcurrant, mulberry, plums, capsicum, cedar and dried herbs. Nicely balanced with powdery tannins.
Peter Lehmann The Bond Grenache 21 - Got this at the bottlo. Aged in a mix of French and American oak for 14 months. Gee that oak is well hidden. Ruby coloured and sweet musky aromas. Raspberry, cherry and spice. Feels lush and medium-bodied with soft tannins.
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 22 - Adelaide Hills. I was looking for my last tasting note on this, it has been a while. Buy it regularly however. Like the way it is starting to fill out now. Light straw colour. Florals, stonefruit, citrus and spice. The leesy/oak influence is obvious in this, but feels totally right.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 21 - Got 12 months in American oak, some of it new barrels. Just thinking not many shiraz are all American oak these days. Showing the house style and you can cellar it if you want of course. Lustrous red-purple colour. Legs in the glass. What I noticed with this too is just how integrated it feels. Blackberry, plum, spice, sweet mocha and soft, perfectly honed tannins.
Coriole Sangiovese 22 - A blend of various clones from four McLaren Vale vineyards. Ruby coloured and medium-bodied. Really like the florally aromatics and softer feel to it. Much better integrated savoury oak these days. Cherry, red fruits, dried herbs and earth with moderately firm tannins.
John Duval Plexus 21 - A big Barossa SGM. I drank this over a couple of nights. Tough going, this is dark and brooding. Where are the red fruits? Got 15 months in French oak, which is much too strong. Blackberry, dark plum, licorice, spice and mocha oak. Lots of savoury character and earthy. Feels warm and chocolatey with dense tannins.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige DOC 21 - Very typical of the early picked, dry style from the Alto Adige region of northern Italy. Light straw colour. No skin contact or oak, so this is clean and aromatic. Sometimes these PGs can be pretty neutral, this has nice fruit character however. Green apple, pear, citrus and a hint of honey as it warms up in the glass. A bone dry finish that it is well known for.
Pizzini Pinot Grigio 22 - The fruit comes from a number of vineyards in King Valley. You see them as you drive along Whitfield Road winding around the Vic Alps. Various picking days, so this has wider breadth of ripeness and flavour. No skin contact and fermented in stainless steel tank. Green straw colour. Citrus blossom, wildflowers, apple, ripe pears. Strong varietal character. Generous on the mid-palate with fresh acidity and a dry finish.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - Adelaide Hills. Handpicked over a two week period. Wild yeast, barrel fermented, 5 months in a mix of tank and large format French oak. Light straw colour. Really clean and fresh. The fruit comes to the fore while the barrel influence has a subtle, slightly savoury note. Citrus blossom, nashi pear, green apple, spice and a minerally finish.
Quealy Musk Creek Pinot Gris 22 - A cooler, elevated vineyard with later ripening fruit that suits this style of PG. Whole bunch, a sparkling yeast, no sulphur. A 50/50 blend of oak barrel and tank. Some lees stirring. Straw/pink coloured and perfumed. Initially lean and linear with taut acidity. Generous fruit in there as it warms up, especially on the mid-palate. Pear, citrus and bush honey. Deeper texture and full-bodied with more spice and mineral character. Showing some phenolics and a contrasting dry finish.
Scorpo Pinot Gris 21 - A small winery at Merricks North, Mornington Peninsula. Originally it was an old apple and cherry orchard. Handpicked, whole bunch, wild yeast and barrel fermented in older French oak. Got about 12 months ageing in oak. Looking for that balance of fruit and savoury influence with this richer style of PG. Let it warm up in the glass. Yellow straw colour. Apple, apricot, pear, spice with typical viscous mouthfeel. Fruit sweet or savoury or a bit of both.
Pepperjack Certified Shiraz Cabernet 19 - Got 15 months in old and new oak. I drank this over a couple of nights. It doesn’t change, it just powers on. Purpley and warm. Dark plum, blackcurrant, mint and spice. Rich and plush on the palate, with sweet oak and soft, powdery tannins.
Phaedrus Shiraz 21 - Red-purple colour with a satiny sheen and loads of spicy aromatics. Really fresh and robust. Plum, blackberry, spice, aniseed and dried herbs. Not too much oak influence in this. It is 13.5% alcohol, and definitely medium-bodied. Feels a bit more earthy on the palate when you get into it and savoury dry tannins.
Deep Woods Estate Cabernet Merlot 20 - A bit of malbec in this too. Sourced from original estate vines planted in 1987. Matured for 18 months in new and old French oak barriques. Deep red-purple and violet scented. A hint of something green like tomato leaf or mint perhaps. Mulberry, blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and savoury oak. Moderate powdery tannins and a brambly finish.
Parker Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 21 - I got this 2 for $24 and drunk both now. Apparently this is a “riper” style and it comes in at 14.5% alc. Open fermenters and 12 months in old French oak barrels. A bright red-purple colour. Really fresh. Jumping out of the glass. Cassis, cherry, mint, dried herbs, spice and earth. Loads of Coonawarra Cabernet character. Soft tannins and a savoury finish.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 19 - The colour probably isn’t much different from when it was released. Got 12 months in American oak. Shows the house style, which is typically loads of rich, sweet fruit and oak. A real surprise, however, because this is drinking nicely with just a few years on it. Blackberry, cranberry, spice and mocha. Also some earthy/leather character. Soft, but long running tannins through the finish.
September -
Phaedrus Pinot Gris 23 - 2023 was a challenging vintage, lots of wet weather and low yields. Whites will be OK, maybe not the reds. A warmer site probably helped however. Some skin contact before pressing gives this a blush of colour. Tank fermented, no oak. Loads of clean varietal character. Musky with pear, apple and spice. Soft and florally and a moderately dry finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - Got 16 months in French oak barrels, 21% new. Deep purple colour. Cassis, mulberry, mint, cedar, olive and herbs. The latter indicative of the vintage I would think. This is plush on the mid-palate and medium-bodied coming in at 13.9% alc, which is typical of recent BLs. Slightly grippy tannins, but feels balanced. This could be a sleeper if you keep it.
Seppelt Gruner Veltliner 18 - This is starting to sweeten up. Like eating sweet oranges on a warm summer day with the juice running down your arm. A little straw colour, not too much. Citrus, pear, spice and some nice subtle texture. Really enjoying the contrast of tangy acidity and long honey/toasty finish.
Phaedrus Fume Blanc 22 - The SB fruit is brought in from another vineyard. Free-run juice, wild yeast, older French oak barrels and some lees stirring. Light gold colour. Tropical fruit, spice, vanilla pod and fresh acidity.
Phaedrus Fiano 23 - This is early picked, lightly pressed, wild yeast and tank fermented. It is made in a way that retains fruit character and fresh acidity. Straw colour with subtle stonefruit and typical floral/spicy character.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 21 - Drank this over a couple of nights. Didn’t change too much. All American oak for 12 months, 37% new. A dense purple colour. Blackberry, dark plums, spice, mint and loads of sweet mocha oak. Those powdery tannins are well… powdery. Robust and warm. Elemental and needs time if you like the style. Just feels like it has come off a factory bottling line however.
Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 19 - This is made in the Italian style, though picked at different times. Natural acidity features in the wine. Buckets of grapes go directly into the press and fermentation is at ambient temp, so this is hands-on small batch and fairly rudimentary winemaking. Some leesy influence. It feels real. Straw coloured and musky. Citrus, pear, honeydew and a slightly savoury, dry finish.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - Another bottle of this and it has probably hit a sweet spot with 10 years on it. Purpley and aromatic. Really opens up in the glass. Both American and French oak, and I’m guessing that was about getting structure without the obvious flavour. A nice subtle mix of oak/fruit in any case. Showing cassis, mulberry, dried herbs, chocolate and some earthy aged character. Smooth tannins and long.
Miceli Lucy’s Choice Pinot Noir 18 - They are 250m above sea level on a steep slope at Arthurs Seat. Red soil, close planting and Scott Henry trellising. Red grapes are crushed directly into an open fermenter. Goes into a mix of barrels. Small batch made, but there is only one Pinot. Ruby red colour. Strawberry, cherry, rhubarb and spice. Some forest floor as it opens up more in the glass and soft tannins.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Chardonnay 22 - Estate fruit, organic farming methods and matured in terracotta amphora. Light gold colour and some struck match early on. Citrus, nectarine, peach and loads of rich leesy, savoury influences. Feels silky with fresh acidity and a dry finish.
St Hallett Faith Shiraz 22 - This is soft and fruit driven. Blackberry, cherry, spice with moderate tannin and a savoury dry finish.
Vickery Watervale Riesling 22 - Sourced from 7 different vineyards with vines dating back to the 70s. Loads of varietal character getting the best out of a really good vintage. Pale straw colour and musky. Super clean on the palate and minerally acidity. Citrus blossom, lime juice, grapefruit, green apple and a dry finish.
Annie’s Lane Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Bang on for varietal character and value for money. Light straw colour and floral aromatics. Loads of fresh lime, lemon, talcum and spice. Clean, very fruit driven and refreshing with punchy acidity.
Brand’s Laira Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Nice Coonawarra feel to this. Matured in French and American oak barrels. Some bottle age has smoothed it out. Cassis, mulberry, bay leaf, spice and dusty, sweet oak. Long savoury finish with moderate tannin.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Shiraz 20 - They are at Dromana, which is a warmer part of Mornington Peninsula. Estate fruit and aged in amphora, not oak barrels. A bit slow to get going. Pinot like colour. Blackberry, rhubarb, spice, dried herbs and earth. I was expecting the fruit character to come to the fore. Rather it is a little savoury, with some serious tannin.
Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 22 - Simply the result of the grape and vintage, without any fuss or adornment. Clear and pale, with citrus blossom, lime and lemon pith. Clean, linear, loads of tangy natural acidity and a chalky, dry finish.
Trofeo Estate Amphora Pinot Noir 21 - The pick of the 3 wines I got. A lighter style indicated by the rose red colour and aromatic feel of it. Wild yeast and aged in amphora. Lots of varietal character. Rose petal, strawberry, cherry and herbs. Fills out and changes in the glass, but so very recognisable as pinot.
Vickery Watervale Riesling 23 - Rieslings from the 2023 vintage could turn out to be very good. This bottle went pretty quick. Light straw colour with delicate florals. Citrus blossom, talcum, lime and herbs. Feels almost lush and sweet fruited on the mid-palate. Punchy, citrusy acidity and a moderately dry finish.
October -
Phaedrus Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV - They don’t make a lot of this. Handpicked, wild yeast and 3 years on lees. Slow, fine bead and salmon coloured. Peach, stonefruit, some lingering, subtle brioche and a dry finish.
Mr Mick Clare Valley Rose 22 - Various red varietals go into this. Red coloured and musky aromatics. Clean and very fruit driven. Cherry, red fruits, vanilla, musk stick and a moderately dry finish.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 20 - 2nd bottle that I’ve opened. Feels very smooth, but showing more oak flavour this time. Lots of blackberry, plum, cherry and spice. Fills out the mid-palate with all that fruit and oak. Sweet cocoa/mocha oak and big, powdery tannins.
Hesketh Eden Valley Riesling 22 - I had a bottle earlier in the year and this is pretty much the same. No surprise it still feels tight. It is made by Keeda Zilm, who also makes the Vickery riesling. Just combines grape and regional character so well. Straw coloured and florals. Robust lime and grapefruit with clean, steely acidity and some texture on a dry finish.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 20 - A pity this has got exy. Otherwise I would buy more and drink it more often. Sourced from major SA wine regions McLaren Vale, Barossa and notably Limestone Coast. Maturation for 15 months in both French and American oak. Deeply coloured with lovely leafy and cassis aromatics you often get in 407s. Got some nice intensity. Also the balance and Cab character I look for. Violets, blackcurrant, dark fruits, chocolate, kitchen herbs and smooth powdery tannin.
Mr Mick Clare Valley Riesling 22 - Light straw colour with citrus blossom, florals, lime and typical fresh acidity. A touch of fruit sweetness across the mid-palate, also a hint of kero. Or at least suggested it enough to make me think this will go kero over the next few years.
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 15 - Matured for 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Red-purple colour with lifted berry and slightly herbaceous aromas. Blackcurrant, mulberry, mint, bay leaf, red currants, some mellowed oak flavour and dusty tannins. Not the best vintage of this I’ve had recently. At this point in time it probably needs to go longer anyway.
Phaedrus Reserve Pinot Noir 21 - The fruit comes off a one acre block and gets their best barrels. Foot crushing, wild yeast, French oak and extended elevage. Ruby red colour and very aromatic. Cherry, red fruits, rhubarb and spice. Changes and builds on the palate with each glass. Notice the vice-like acidity in this rather than the soft tannin. Really good on release, but you should get some age on these Reserves.
Pepperjack Shiraz Cabernet 21 - Couldn’t be anything else, but a Barossa red. Dense red-purple colour and jumping out of the glass. Violets, mocha, dark berries, raspberry and licorice. Smooth with sweet, rich flavours and soft, powdery tannins.
Taylors Estate Riesling 23 - Green straw colour and a fresh, zesty style. Citrus blossom, lime, lemon and some tropical fruit. Usually a little fruit sweet, but this has been reined in. Loads of grapey acidity with a moderately dry finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - I drank this over a couple of nights. Purpley and loads of cassis and dark berries. Initially smooth with some sweet, minty fruit on the mid-palate. Nice balance of fruit and tannin. It is also in a typical slow burn phase now, and feels a bit tight and dense. Will probably come up much better at the ten year mark and for a long time after that.
Wynns Black Label Shiraz 21 - The fruit comes from some of the oldest shiraz blocks in the Coonawarra, average age of vines is 75yo. Got 13 months in new and older French oak barrels. I drank this over a couple of nights, really starting to hit its straps on the second night. Lustrous red-purple colour. Pepper, mulberry, dark plums, aniseed and spice. Soft, velvety old vine fruit and beautifully integrated smooth dry tannins.
Penfolds Bin 21 Barossa Valley Grenache 22 - New bin. Matured in French oak, 6% new. The oak shouldn’t be all that important. I was expecting this to be plush and more fruit driven. Crimson red colour with legs in the glass and florals. It actually feels subdued and reticent after that however. Never really opened up. Raspberry, cherry, spice, herbs and some powdery tannin.
November -
Chapel Hill The Parson Sangiovese Rose 23 - Really enjoyed this Rose and will probably drink it again over summer. Salmon pink colour. Cherry, raspberry and musky. Some texture and subtlety with a dry finish.
Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 18 - Aged for 18 months in French oak. Deeply coloured. Cassis, mulberry, dried herbs, cedar, spice and earthy. Showing the red dirt character. Smooth, harmonious intensity through the palate with fine grained tannins, and balanced. The aftertaste just goes on and on.
Sidewood Pinot Gris 22 - I have drunk a few bottles of this. Wild yeast and French oak barrel influence. Straw coloured. Pear, citrus, melon and spice. It has a telltale tangy character, which is not just the acidity, more so this vintage. Some texture and a dry finish.
Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne NV - Opened this while we watched the Melbourne Cup. Gold colour and lots of bead. Biscuit, peach, candy, brioche and quite dry on the finish.
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 13 - I have drunk a number of 13s and it is developing very slowly. This is still purpley. Cassis, blackberry, mint and spice. Feels full-bodied. Some earthy character with age on it and smoother tannins. But no hurry with this, another 10 yrs is the go.
Tempus Two Gruner Veltliner 21 - This is starting to develop more colour and body. Gold straw colour. Citrus, pear, tropical fruit and spice. Some texture with a very pleasant smooth, honeyed finish.
Peter Lehmann The Bond Grenache 21 - Aged for 14 months in French and American oak. Garnet red colour and nice florals. Showing the fruit rather than oak and medium-bodied. Raspberry, cherry, spice and soft tannins.
Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz 16 - Just too tempting in the wine fridge, and drinking another one. Blackberry, plum, red fruits, chocolate and earth. Feels smooth with harmony of fruit, subtle spicy oak and some aged character. Long with soft, dusty tannins.
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 16 - A blend of fruit from a handful of Barossa growers. All about depth of colour and fruit intensity. Got 19 months in French oak. Luxuriant purple colour. Dark berries, plums, aniseed, chocolate and spice. Some earth as it opens up. Big, beautiful tannins and so is everything else. A bit warm, but smoother now. All the time in the world if you have it.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 23 - Clare Valley. Pale colour and citrus blossom aromatics. Feels like a punchy, free-run style, this is pristine clean and fresh. Soft with subtle acidity. Limes, minerals, herbs and a slatey dry finish.
Grant Burge Fifth Generation Sav Blanc 21 - Adelaide Hills. Maybe not as pungent as when it was first released. But this has obvious grassy aromatics and strong varietal character. Got some nice intensity. Gooseberry, tropical fruit, cut grass, herbs and loads of natural acidity.
Sidewood Chardonnay 22 - Not done a note on this for a while, and I have drunk a few. A bit more yellow colour and slowly evolving. Citrus, stonefruit and subtle spicy/toasty oak, with some nice texture filling out the palate.
December -
Sidewood Shiraz 21 - Adelaide Hills. Wild yeast and 15 months in French oak. Deeply coloured. Dark plums, forest berries, rhubarb, chocolate and spice. Getting into it, there’s a really nice sweet earth note. This feels warm and spicy with some firm tannin.
Penfolds Max’s Chardonnay 19 - I opened a couple of bottles of this. One of them a little more developed than the other. Light gold colour. Melon, stonefruit, spice and a strong toasty oak character.
Sidewood Sauvignon Blanc 23 - Picked over two weeks, free-run and some lees contact in the tank. Very little colour and really fresh. Banging intensity. Citrus, cut grass, tropical fruit, nettles and clean acidity with a moderately dry finish.
Sidewood Pinot Noir 22 - Some whole bunch and whole berry ferment, wild yeast and 10 months in French oak. Lighter style with obvious pinot character. Ruby colour and fragrant. Cherry, red fruits, rhubarb and spice. Opens up nicely in the glass showing some forest floor and soft tannins.
Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay 20 - Some whole bunch, wild yeast and ten months in French oak. This has filled out and showing nice subtlety with an extra year on it. Straw colour. White peach, tropical fruit, figs and spice. Feels softer and rounder. No hurry with this however.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 15 - Deeply coloured and legs in the glass. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, cedar and wood spice. Loads of intensity. This is much too oaky and warm, however, which detracts a lot from enjoying it. Rich, dense fruit showing the house style and sleek, smooth tannins.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 15 - A 53/47 blend and 12 months in American oak, a third were new barrels. Deep, inky purple and nice florals. Cassis, sweet dark fruit, aniseed, vanilla oak and a grippy, powdery mouthfeel. Rich berry fruit, pretty good balance of fruit and oak with strong, robust tannins. This is probably just showing its structure and potential rather than anything else I think.
Annie’s Lane Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Green straw colour. Bell clear varietal character. Florals, lemon/lime and grapey mouthfeel. All about the brilliant simplicity of fruit and acidity with a clean, dry finish.
Pikes Traditionale Riesling 23 - Won a trophy for Best Riesling at the 2023 Clare Valley wine show. This is much too easy to drink. Light straw colour and flowery aromatics. Limes, tropical fruit and talcum. Really fresh and fruit driven with subtle acidity and a moderately dry finish.
Tempus Two Riesling 23 - Green straw colour and very aromatic. Lime, talcum and herbs. Feels lush and even a little fruit sweet on the palate with gentle, mouthwatering acidity.
Taylors Reserve Parcel Riesling 22 - Light straw colour. Citrus pith, fresh limes and bath salts. I have drunk a few bottles over this year, and it is filling out a bit more now. Really good fruit character and acidity.
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 23 - The 50th vintage label. Light straw colour and florals. This is clean and linear with obvious varietal character. Lemon/lime, apple, herbs and loads of zippy fruit driven acidity.
Sidewood Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV - A 60/40 blend. Wild yeast ferment initially and some of the Chardonnay got malo. The secondary ferment using Charmat or tank method. Slow, steady bead. Strawberry, stonefruit and cashew. Fresh tasting rather than overly bready with a dry finish.
Sidewood Sparkling Pinot Rose NV - 100% Pinot Noir and extended time on lees. This is under Diam closure like all of their sparklings. A pale salmon colour and steady bead. It has 8 g/L dosage, and there’s a bit of residual sugar on the palate. Florals, cherry, peach with subtle brioche and secondary influences.
Chambers Rutherglen Muscat - A 750ml bottle and under screwcap. Deep ruby colour. Loads of raisin, Turkish delight and dried fruit. Luscious, ultra smooth and ridiculously delicious with a toffee and brandy spirit finish.
Henschke Peggy’s Hill Riesling 23 - Not much colour, a hint of green perhaps. Lime, grapefruit, citrus rind, talcum and florals. A bit of Eden Valley austerity with this I suppose. Steely acidity running through it and a chalky dry finish.
Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 23 - Light straw colour. Florals, minerals and typical lemon/lime. The lemon coming through a bit more in this vintage. Feels tighter and firmer than some others, with deep acidity wound through it and a dry finish.
Jansz Premium Cuvee NV - Tasmania. A 66/34 blend of Chardonnay and PN. Got 18 months tirage. Pale gold colour and steady, fine bead. Citrus, strawberry, nougat and creamy texture with a lingering dry, bready finish.
Re: 2023 tasting notes
Thanks as always Sean. My sister is a Sidewood fan...might have to have more of a look.
Cheers Craig
Cheers Craig
Tomorrow will be a good day
Re: 2023 tasting notes
Comprehensive! Thanks for the notes Sean
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Sam
Sam