Grosset Spring 2016 Releases

[Matt@5453]

I have seen that the 2016 Whites have been out at a few trade tastings in the last week or so, coupled with the release of a 2014 Shiraz (which has a touch of Nero D'Avola blended with it). Word is, it is a "savoury type of wine" with great length; Jeffrey's first publicly released Shiraz I believe.

Has anyone had a taste of the '16 Whites or the '14 Shiraz?

The Polish Hill is now up to $49/btl, the most expensive in the Clare Valley. At $45 it was pushing the boundaries for me, do other people see value at this new price point? The Springvale is still at $36/btl. What represents better value of the two, or what other Clare Rieslings are comparable or better value? I am interested to hear people's opinions?

Cheers,

Matt

[Hunter]

I personally prefer mount horrocks. And at almost half the price.!

[Mark Carrington]

On basis of recent vintages, don't see PH (thought it's a superb wine) meriting the marked premium.

[tj2]

For me I think Pikes The Merle tops the Grosset PH but can only say comparable value as the price point is similar...

[Scotty vino]

VFM clare valley rizzas go for the Wilson vineyard Polish Hill River or watervale Riesling.
20-30 bux cheaper than grosset and really good stuff.
really like grosset wines though, usually do a trip every year and get a few from CD.

Sometimes it seems to me that we don't blink an eyelid dropping huge coin on
premium aussie reds but when it comes to the premium whites there's often an issue with price/VFM.
I happily drop 60 on some rockies BP at CD and honestly I'd drop the same on grosset PH as there's
a fair chance it's going to deliver the same experience in terms of quality.

If the current vintage PH's from grosset can become what the 06 was at the recent Ade offline,
then so be it, I'm paying 49 and I'm ok with that.

[TiggerK]

Agree with all the above and given the choice, Springvale over PH consistently, both for value and balance.

[Mike Hawkins]

Perceived best shiraz in the country..... $750
Perceived best cabernet.... $500
Perceived best chardonnay.... $90
Perceived best riesling..... $49...... I don't have any issues with that price point

[rooman]

I personally seem to prefer the Springvale. I find it just a little lighter and more delicate than the PH.

[Hunter]

Perceived best shiraz in the country..... $750
Perceived best cabernet.... $500
Perceived best chardonnay.... $90
Perceived best riesling..... $49...... I don't have any issues with that price point

Good point Mike ..

[Matt@5453]

Perceived best shiraz in the country..... $750
Perceived best cabernet.... $500
Perceived best chardonnay.... $90
Perceived best riesling..... $49...... I don't have any issues with that price point

Agreed, very good point Mike.

Based on what I am seeing to date there will be some cracking 2016s hitting the shelves soon. $20-
$25 will get a very smart and age worthy wine.c

Cheers

Matt

[Matt@5453]

I personally seem to prefer the Springvale. I find it just a little lighter and more delicate than the PH.

Agreed. I have preference for a Watervale style over Polish Hill.

[Matt@5453]

Grosset Cellar Door Tasting 9/9/16

2016 Polish Hill. Distinctive and true to its sub-region: Mineral, slate/wet rocks, its steely ‘clean’, ‘tight’, with a touch of lemon sherbet, its trademark line of acidity drives and lingers in the mouth. Very good length and super cleansing to the palate as well, the finish goes on and is one to savour ad enjoy. It’s looking just a tad ‘tight’ now and I think it probably needs up to 6 months to settle down in bottle to slowly unfurl itself. A great way to start any tasting. One for the cellar.

2016 Springvale. True to its terroir, it shows its typical Lemon/lime citrus notes. A fruitier / heady nose than the Polish Hill, it is fuller and richer in the mouth, but its acidity keeps it in check. I love the flinty notes to the wine. Its delicate and floral. Lovely stuff.

2016 Alea. The best Alea I have tried to date. Lemon pith, with a touch of sherbet. It smells ‘sweet’ but is completely dry. Distinctly different than the other two, it’s well-rounded and ready to drink. Very enjoyable.
The above 3 wines clearly demonstrate the influence of terroir and the sub-regions of Clare, simply a clinic.

2016 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (60% / 40% Blend). This is like a shock to the system after the Rieslings. Immediately you get a pungent waft of tropical notes from the Sauvignon Blanc influence. The Semillon balances the power of the Adelaide Hills Sauv Blanc. Full of flavour and good balance. Very drinkable.

2015 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. A very good follow up to the 2014. The 2015 was released early as the 2014 sold out immediately. Stonefruit, French oak nuances, touch of cashew. Very good, needs 6-12 months in the bottle to show its true potential.

2013 Gaia. Looking sublime. Each time I try it I like it more and more. Very approachable still but will be one for the cellar, they are saying up to 20 years. A classic in the making.

2014 Shiraz. A Shiraz Nero d’Avola blend. Dark fruits, medium weight, savoury, the Nero just rounds the palate out giving it some plushness. It is a delicate style of shiraz with very good length. I’d love to sit on a bottle of this and savour it over the course of the evening. No doubt its experimental for Grosset, lots of enjoyment here.

[Scotty vino]

Grosset Cellar Door Tasting 9/9/16

2016 Polish Hill. Distinctive and true to its sub-region: Mineral, slate/wet rocks, its steely ‘clean’, ‘tight’, with a touch of lemon sherbet, its trademark line of acidity drives and lingers in the mouth. Very good length and super cleansing to the palate as well, the finish goes on and is one to savour ad enjoy. It’s looking just a tad ‘tight’ now and I think it probably needs up to 6 months to settle down in bottle to slowly unfurl itself. A great way to start any tasting. One for the cellar.

2016 Springvale. True to its terroir, it shows its typical Lemon/lime citrus notes. A fruitier / heady nose than the Polish Hill, it is fuller and richer in the mouth, but its acidity keeps it in check. I love the flinty notes to the wine. Its delicate and floral. Lovely stuff.

2016 Alea. The best Alea I have tried to date. Lemon pith, with a touch of sherbet. It smells ‘sweet’ but is completely dry. Distinctly different than the other two, it’s well-rounded and ready to drink. Very enjoyable.
The above 3 wines clearly demonstrate the influence of terroir and the sub-regions of Clare, simply a clinic.

2016 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (60% / 40% Blend). This is like a shock to the system after the Rieslings. Immediately you get a pungent waft of tropical notes from the Sauvignon Blanc influence. The Semillon balances the power of the Adelaide Hills Sauv Blanc. Full of flavour and good balance. Very drinkable.

2015 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. A very good follow up to the 2014. The 2015 was released early as the 2014 sold out immediately. Stonefruit, French oak nuances, touch of cashew. Very good, needs 6-12 months in the bottle to show its true potential.

2013 Gaia. Looking sublime. Each time I try it I like it more and more. Very approachable still but will be one for the cellar, they are saying up to 20 years. A classic in the making.

2014 Shiraz. A Shiraz Nero d’Avola blend. Dark fruits, medium weight, savoury, the Nero just rounds the palate out giving it some plushness. It is a delicate style of shiraz with very good length. I’d love to sit on a bottle of this and savour it over the course of the evening. No doubt its experimental for Grosset, lots of enjoyment here.

No Pinot Noir tasting?

[Matt@5453]

Grosset Cellar Door Tasting 9/9/16

2016 Polish Hill. Distinctive and true to its sub-region: Mineral, slate/wet rocks, its steely ‘clean’, ‘tight’, with a touch of lemon sherbet, its trademark line of acidity drives and lingers in the mouth. Very good length and super cleansing to the palate as well, the finish goes on and is one to savour ad enjoy. It’s looking just a tad ‘tight’ now and I think it probably needs up to 6 months to settle down in bottle to slowly unfurl itself. A great way to start any tasting. One for the cellar.

2016 Springvale. True to its terroir, it shows its typical Lemon/lime citrus notes. A fruitier / heady nose than the Polish Hill, it is fuller and richer in the mouth, but its acidity keeps it in check. I love the flinty notes to the wine. Its delicate and floral. Lovely stuff.

2016 Alea. The best Alea I have tried to date. Lemon pith, with a touch of sherbet. It smells ‘sweet’ but is completely dry. Distinctly different than the other two, it’s well-rounded and ready to drink. Very enjoyable.
The above 3 wines clearly demonstrate the influence of terroir and the sub-regions of Clare, simply a clinic.

2016 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (60% / 40% Blend). This is like a shock to the system after the Rieslings. Immediately you get a pungent waft of tropical notes from the Sauvignon Blanc influence. The Semillon balances the power of the Adelaide Hills Sauv Blanc. Full of flavour and good balance. Very drinkable.

2015 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. A very good follow up to the 2014. The 2015 was released early as the 2014 sold out immediately. Stonefruit, French oak nuances, touch of cashew. Very good, needs 6-12 months in the bottle to show its true potential.

2013 Gaia. Looking sublime. Each time I try it I like it more and more. Very approachable still but will be one for the cellar, they are saying up to 20 years. A classic in the making.

2014 Shiraz. A Shiraz Nero d’Avola blend. Dark fruits, medium weight, savoury, the Nero just rounds the palate out giving it some plushness. It is a delicate style of shiraz with very good length. I’d love to sit on a bottle of this and savour it over the course of the evening. No doubt its experimental for Grosset, lots of enjoyment here.

No Pinot Noir tasting?

yes, inadvertently left it off the list:

2014 Adelaide Hills Pinot. Delicate nose of sweet smelling berries (strawberry/raspberry) with French oak nuances lurking. Visually medium / light body, on the darker fruit/colour fruit spectrum. The palate delivers dark fruits, crushed strawberries, the palate is well defined/savoury. This sees top quality oak and it is in harmony with the fruit and supports it, there is a good line of acidity through it. The wine finishes well on the palate. At the back of the palate I could taste/feel the whole bunch, ever so slightly. It does not deter from the wine but attracts interest/talking point. Quality wine. Recommended.

Also tried the Spirit - amazing to see the delicate Riesling characteristics come through in a 45% alc wine!

[brodie]

Perceived best shiraz in the country..... $750
Perceived best cabernet.... $500
Perceived best chardonnay.... $90
Perceived best riesling..... $49...... I don't have any issues with that price point

Agreed. Check out the price of Keller G max or Trimbach Clos St Hune to see what world class Riesling can sell for. I think the price remains cheap on a world scale. Tyrrells Vat 1 in same category for me.

Brodie

[Mark Jappe]

Was there yesterday. The notes above are spot on. The polish hill and springvale are tighter than previous years and seem to need some time.
The chardonnay was fantastic. Would happily crack a few immediately and keep the rest for 8 years.
The apiana seemed to really have benefitted from an extra year in the bottle.
The pinot was perfumed and very pretty.
Not so keen on the new semillon sav blanc. Sav blanc is up to 50% which really shows on the nose, but not in a good way.
Cellar door experience was excellent as always.