Got caught up with work and also struggling to recognise my scribbles from that long day of "tasting" Rhone varietals. Finally got round to typing up the few Hunter Valley and Canberra district wineries I tried. I missed out on a few wineries like Thomas Kiss and Eden Rd Wines, it was all just too much for me to take in!
Clonakilla Ceoltori Grenache Mourvedre 2011, Canberra District, NSW
RRP$40. Intense purple ruby colour. Noes of spiced blackcurrants, plum, moist brambles. A full-bodied wine, high acidity, med+ coarse grainy tannins. There is lovely savoury spice flavours, along with black berry fruit, but feels thinned down on the core, lacking character. Drink now, yea most definitely.
Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2012, Canberra District, NSW
RRP$30. Fortune favours the lucky. The 2012 vintage in the Hilltops district was hit by heavy rain at the end of February but most of the grapes had been picked, perfectly ripe, the day before the rains. This wine is easily enjoyed, with depth of flavours, structure and elegance typically characteristic of wines above this price point. Black cherry, blackberries, roasted meats with a touch of oaky spice. The tannins are ripe, probably a couple of years away from gradually resolving. 13% alc. Long savoury finish. Drink 2015 – 2022.
De Iuliis Wines ‘Limited Release’ Shiraz 2009, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, NSW
RRP$60. Excellent growing conditions in 2009 led to the creation of this wine made from ten selected new French oak barrels. Dark purple-ruby colour. Intense youthful aromas of blackberries, black cherry, sweet spice, pepper and a hint of dried vanilla bean pod. A full-bodied wine, rough velvet texture, high acidity, firm grippy tannins. Rich flavours of black cherries and dark berries persist right through on the long finish. A well-balanced wine which surprised me, though I can’t admit to having experienced many Hunter Valley Shirazes. Drink now – 2020.
Mount Pleasant Wines ‘Old Paddock & Old Hill’ Shiraz 2009, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, NSW
RRP$36. Handpicked fruit from low-yielding vines first planted in 1921 is combined with fruit from the old hill vineyard planted in the 1880s. Destemmed fruit was fermented on skins for 12 days. Matured in new and second year French oak barriques and hogsheads for 22 months. Intense ruby colour with a crimson rim. Youthful aromas of blackberries, blood plum, earthy bramble, and a hint of baking spice. Med+ – full-bodied wine, high acidity, moderate level of fine grainy tannins suggest a good cellaring potential. Sleek fruit profile, lovely rich dark berry flavours accompanied by tingling spice to give it a slightly savoury finish. Good value for money. Drink now – 2025+.
Tyrrell’s Wines Vat 9 Shiraz 2010, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, NSW
RRP$85. The fruit for the 2009 Vat 9 Shiraz was sourced from vineyards with an average vine age of 50 years. Handpicked fruit was fermented in open top fermenters then matured in new and one year old French oak casks for 15 months prior to bottling. Crimson-ruby colour. Lifted youthful aromas of fresh blackcurrants and red berry fruit, licorice, fleshed out with oak spice. A medium-bodied wine, high acidity, young fine-grained tannins. 13% alc. Lovely dark berry fruit flavours, almost like swirling jam into water (in a good way). Clean flavours, easy drinking, doesn’t swamp your mouth. Drink 2015 – 2025.