It's been a long time since I've tasted Moorilla wines. The opportunity came in a Sydney a few days ago, I was very interested in the work of winemaker Michael Glover who is from New Zealand.
1999 MOORILLA ESTATE Brut Cuvée 1. (White label)
This wine spent 24 months on lees. In 2002 it has won the trophy for the best sparkling wine at The Australian Boutique Winemakers exhibition.
Colour bright clear with some gold. Tiny pinhead bubbles. Reserved nose of hint of vanilla beans, white nectarines and melon. The palate is smooth, lighter bodied but flavourful. Very elegant, can be likened to a Taittinger Champagne. Lovely and dry aftertaste. Very long. Aperitif style. Very well balanced. Excellent drinking now, will improve in the cellar until 2008. I found it excellent, well worth the AU $31. Very high quality.
2003 MOORILLA ESTATE Black Label Riesling
In the world of Moorilla marketing, the black label is the lesser wine with the white label and ultimately the reserve coming on top.
Colour bright clear. Reserved floral nose. Beautiful soft fruit on the palate, rich and delicate. Long, dry finish. I was impressed by the balance and the juicy fruit. Very nice! Will cellar well. Cost AU $25. Sold in a riesling style bottle.
2003 MOORILLA ESTATE White Label Riesling
Colour bright clear. Light floral nose with citrus fruits. The palate is SUPER DRY, slightly thin with some green characters. Biting acid on the finish. It's a seafood, oyster wine, not something to sip on it's own. I found it very similar to some Clare rieslings. Not my style at all, I much prefer the black label. Cost AU $27. Oddly, it is sold in a burgundy style bottle.
2003 MOORILLA ESTATE White Label Gewurtztraminer
Colour bright clear. Sweet musky nose mixed with lychee and sweet nectarines. Very aromatic. Intense seemingly sweet fruit in the mouth but finishes soberingly dry. Good length, Alsace style but lacks a little weight and complexity. There are some green, unripe characters on the middle palate. Beautiful promise up front but ultimately did not deliver. Cost AU $32.
2001 MOORILLA ESTATE Reserve Chardonnay
Colour bright golden. Apricots and marmalade on the nose. Excellent palate, bursting with good juicy fruit. Creamy barrel ferment characters (?) and vanilla. Very good drinking now but will hold for 3 more years. Well balanced and tasty. Very high quality. Cost AU $45.
2000 MOORILLA ESTATE White Label Chardonnay
Colour bright clear with some gold. Burgundian, mineral nose with white nectarine and peach. Very promising. The palate has some lovely minerally fruit but the wine lacks concentration and finishing short. At it's peak now. Cost AU $30.
2002 MOORILLA ESTATE White Label Pinot Noir
Colour bright cherry red. Powerful and funky Burgundian nose. Soft and moutfilling flavours on the palate, very easy to drink. Rich and tasty. Excellent balance and surprisingly firm tannins on the finish. Unique style, I'd say it's very good. Good drinking now, will peak in 2008. Cost AU $31.
2003 MOORILLA ESTATE Black Label Pinot Noir
Very bright cherry red, like a deeper rosé. Raspberry, candy and confectionery on the nose. Very light on the palate (just like a more powerful rosé). Lacking just about everything. Very short finish. May come together a little in a year or so but it will never be very good. Cost AU $27.
2001 MOORILLA ESTATE White Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour cherry red with a dark centre. Rich cherry aromas on the nose. Excellent mouthfeel of medium weight fruit. Loose but juicy. Excellent silky tannins and balance. Well made but it is lacking a little concentration and length, it could have been an outstanding wine with a little bit more attention but it is still lovely drinking. Quite delicious. Cost AU $35.
Tasted:February 2004