A few new ones from Wynns

[phillisc]

Thought I might start the ball rolling here as in the next week or two, there will be more tastings, Wynnsday (a shadow of its former self) and all the hoohah with the chains.
Tasting at the Edinburgh Cellars...$20, cheeses, meats etc.

2012-2014 Black Label Cabernet
2012 quite closed, good fruit profile and tannin structure, simply needs decades
2013 a softer rounder fuller wine than the 12 , less aggressive tannins, lovely berry characteristics with slightly smoky charry oak, will go a while but drink well before the 12.
2014 a surprise very floral on the nose, violets, spice lovely berry and olive characteristics , soft gentle tannins, think the 14 needs to be drunk after the 13, but before the 12...certainly worth a purchase.

2010 Alex, 2013 Harold single vineyard releases. Alex is really in the groove, savoury tannins +++really slippery type of wine, still quite closed but will develop beautifully.
13 Harold, do not know what to make of this, did it need more air, did I need to eat more . Faint fruit profile, but some lovely plush layers all the same. lovely balanced tannins, think this will be very long lived.
2013 Michael and John Riddoch
Michael opened with a beautiful nose, very savoury meaty , not the hint of sweet berry like the last 3-4 releases. lots of spice and very silky tannins..14 months new and used french oak, at this stage very restrained, but so is the fruit.
JR, I cannot make my mind up here, yes has great structure, but perhaps I expect to much. Honestly needs to go in a dark hole and I will try and concoct some sort of tasting note in 2026! A brooding breast, but need to drink a bottle with food to really be able to make a proper assessment.

Great to have the tasting hosted by Sue Hodder. Unfortunately towing the TWE party line a bit too much and really needs to click in with the punters a bit more. As an aside and mentioned by Malcolm (mjs) and others, acid has been added to all the wines...my thoughts are you can really taste it.

On the whole a solid range of wines, not nearly as convincing as the superlative 2010/12 vintages
Cheers
Craig

[Tucker Wine Studios]

Hey, been there, too.
For me there were three wines standing out above the rest:
2013 Black Label CS, 2010 Alex 88 CS and the 2013 Michael Shiraz.
I think my personal winner was the Alex, absolutely lovely wine, bit of mint on the nose.

Thought that the Michael Shiraz actually was quite luscious and appealing to drink now and really struggled with the JR after the Michael. Should have tried first the JR and then the Michael. Wasn't really convinced by the 2012 Black Label Shiraz at the end of the tasting. Would have probably shown better earlier in the tasting.

But, no bad wines here of course. But it was interesting to taste the differences between various vintages and wines.
Cheers, Mario

[phillisc]

Agreed pretty well with your thoughts here Mario.
For what is probably my dessert island wine...I really struggled with the John Riddoch...to me it was all over the place, no synergy with the structure, a nose that did not really impress...but it will reward patience
It needs to be given every opportunity at this stage to have a long decant and to be consumed with food.

I might add its a problem that I have with a heap of new releases, but can't have them as 10 year olds straight up.

Depending what I buy I might open a JR and leave it on the bench for 24 hours.
I still think on last nights tasting that the 13s across the board are shadowed by the 10/12 ( at their respective release points) and have a feeling that in the long run the 14s will be more par for the course.

Cheers
Craig