Wine & Spirit Insider March April 2016

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALANDMarch/April 2016 Issue 146 THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411 In this issue... New Releases & Best Value Buys Under $20

253 TASTED148 AWARDEDNEW RELEASESWhilst the judges were generally disappointed with the sparkling, OTHER WHITE SAUVIGNONsauvignon blanc, rosé and pinot classes, there was praise for theriesling, chardonnay, sangiovese, cabernet and particularly, older VARIETALS & BLANC &shiraz classes. BLENDS BLENDS 8 TASTED 20 TASTED 4 AWARDED 7 AWARDEDSPARKLING Brygon Reserve Interesting class of Overall a lack of varietal Enchanted different white varietals fruit evident and too19 TASTED South Eastern VBBAEULSYUTSE with the best keeping to much use of phenolics6 AWARDED the varietal focus rather to try and build flavour. Australia Syrah than just being dry\"Dreadful result,\" said Dolcetto whites. Burnbrae Orangeone judge. \"Too many NV HHH Sauvignon Blancwines were flat, both in Lifted fresh fruity nose and Bream CreekTasmania 2015 HHHH1/2fruit flavours and bubble clean honeyed palate with Schonburger Fresh bright and typicallength.\" The best wines nice raspberry flavours. 2015 HHHH sauvignon blanc charactersshowed freshness and $14.99 Aromatic bouquet of with good varietal fruitvibrancy with some orange peel and rose definition, a touch ofinterest. petals and a lovely spicy sweetness and some palate with sweet fruit attractive herbaceous-likeSidewood Estate flavours. Be great with notes. Very good weightSparkling Adelaide Asian dishes! $26 and balance to the palate.Hills Pinot Noir $19.95ChardonnayNV HHHH Mollydooker Miss Nepenthe Winemaker Sidewood EstateCreamy yeasty nose Molly Langhorne Select Adelaide Hills Adelaide Hillswith obvious pinot fruit Creek McLaren Vale Viognier 2015 HHH Sauvignon Blanccharacters and a tight, Sparkling Shiraz Smells of honeysuckle 2015 HHHHwell balanced palate NV HHHH and quinces with a long, Lovely varietal aromas;with varietal fruit flavours A big stylish sparkling red elegant and well-balanced all citrus and green bean.predominant. $25 with lovely fruit cake-like creamy palate. $20 Light and bright in the aromas and deliciously Nepenthe Winemaker mouth with fresh tropical rich raspberry and Select Adelaide Hills flavours and some chocolate flavours with Gruner Veltliner herbaceous notes. $20 meaty notes. $28 2015 HHH Criminal Minds South Picarus Reserve S Lovely aromas of freshly Deep Woods Estate Australia Moscato Victoria Sparkling sliced pears with a Margaret River 2015 HHHH Brut NV HHH pleasant fresh and light Sauvignon Blanc A fresh and lively moscato Light fresh simple aromas fruit-driven palate. $20 2015 HHH with vibrant muscat-like and stonefruit palate. A 919 Wines Reserve Very light herbaceous aromas and a light but very easy to drink quaffer. Riverland Vermentino bouquet and lovely flavoursome tropical $16.99 2015 HHH lingering varietal fruit palate with some musky Barristers Block Fresh lifted spicy fruit nose flavours. $20 floral touches. $18 Legally Blonde and a refreshingly crunchy Adelaide Hills flinty palate. $26 Hoggies Estate VBBAEULSYUTSE Sparkling Pinot Noir Coonawarra 2015 HHH Sauvignon Blanc Lightly perfumed strawberry 2015 HHH bouquet with more of the Ripe floral fragrances with strawberry characters on tropical notes and nice the palate. $25 fresh fruity palate. $13.99112 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingTomich Wing and a KellermeisterThe Indigo Alpine Valleys Pokolbin Estate Pertaringa RegionalPrayer Adelaide Hills Rambling Ruins Eden Beechworth Pinot Hunter Valley Riesling Series Clare ValleySauvignon Blanc Valley Pinot Gris Gris 2015 HHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Riesling 2015 HHHH2015 HHH 2015 HHHH Fresh clean simple A very nice riesling Pleasant estery sweet fruitShy tropical nose and a Elegant lifted tropical fruit varietal fruit with a crisp showing lovely spicy floral nose and good length ofsimple but very pleasant nose and a fresh and acid backbone. Very variety intensity on both genuine varietal flavours.palate with light phenolics. flavoursome guava-driven flavoursome. $25 the nose and palate with Nice phenolics on the$18 palate that has some secondary development finish. Good cellaring sweetness but is in Tomich Rhyme adding some good potential. 5+ $32Zonte's Footstep balance. $22 and Reason Adelaide complexity. 3-5Excalibur Hills Pinot Grigio $19.95 Vickery EVR103ZVAdelaide Hills VBBAEULSYUTSE Richard HamiltonThe 2015 HHH Eden Valley Riesling Hills Adelaide Hills Good varietal 2015 HHH1/2Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris characteristics here with An elegant bouquet edged2015 HHH 2015 HHH1/2 aromas and flavours with delicate gooseberry-Light varietal lift to the A pale green wine with reminiscent of fruit like notes followed by anose and soft fresh delicate tropical aromatics salad. $25 crisp and lively lemony/flavoursome palate. and nice floral-like flavours citrussy palate. $19.95Excellent quaffer. $18 on the long creamy palate. Bream Creek $20 Tasmania Pinot GrisTomich Woodside 2014 HHH Reillys Stolen BlockVineyard Adelaide Winemen of Gotham Good development of fruit Watervale Clare ValleyHills Sauvignon Blanc South Australia Pinot characters on the nose and Riesling 2015 HHH1/22015 HHH Grigio 2015 HHH persistent pear flavours Perfumed bouquet withA very light fresh quaffer. Slight pink hue, fresh light with a hint of peach. $26 some citrus sweet notes.Excellent green hues and aromatics and a long bright Great palate, has eleganceelegant fruit. $25 varietal palate. $8.95 RIESLING and class with crisp fresh flavours. $11.99 14 TASTEDPINOT GRIS/ Possingham & 12 AWARDED KellermeisterTheGRIGIO Summers Estate Wombat General Eden McLaren Vale The judges found this a Valley Riesling13 TASTED Pinot Gris VBBAEULSYUTSE very strong, solid class 2015 HHH1/2 2015 HHH of well-made wines Very stylish tight elegant8 AWARDED showing excellent value cool climate riesling with for money. soft candy fruit nose and Ripe varietal fruit of slightly sweet palate with honeysuckle and guava balancing acid. $22A good result with solid with upfront oak. Big Patrick Estateexamples of drinkable flavoursome wine. $18 Wrattonbully &wines. Not complex but Coonawarra Rieslingvery quaffable! Zonte's Footstep 2015 HHHH Richmond Grove Doctoressa di A delicate green, cool Limited Release Lago Adelaide VBBAEULSYUTSE climate style of riesling. Watervale Riesling Very light and fresh 2015 HHH Hills Pinot Grigio citrussy fruit layered with 2015 HHH lovely minerally elements. Subtle lime and lemon A hint of pears on the nose fruit with floral nuances and light simple palate with 3-5 $25 underscored by tight crisp good crisp fruit. $18 acidity. 3-5 $19 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 113

NEW RELEASESRockridge Watervale SEMILLON & Audrey Wilkinson CHARDONNAY Morambro CreekClare Valley Riesling BLENDS Hunter Valley Padthaway2015 HHH Semillon 22 TASTED ChardonnayFloral bouquet and 11 TASTED 2015 HHH1/2 14 AWARDED 2013 HHHH1/2flavoursome citrus fruit 6 AWARDED A classic young Hunter A good solid class Good middle of the roadpalate showing good A mixed group of semillon with zesty lemon with even consistency style with plenty of fruitdepth and balance. quaffers with just one nose and tight citrus delivering more flavour weight and persistence classic varietal. palate. It has years ahead and complexity than without too much 5+ $14.99 of it. $22 many of the other white complexity getting in Pooles Rock Single varietals. the way! Some niceEdenmae Estate Vineyard Hunter Ibizan Margaret bottle age charactersSingle Vineyard Eden Valley Semillon Mills Reef Elspeth developing. $34.95Valley Riesling 2011 HHHHH River Semillon Hawke's Bay Deep Woods Estate2015 HHH An excellent semillon Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Side by SideDelicate spicy floral that's ageing nicely with 2015 HHH1/2 2014 HHHH1/2 Margaret Riverfragrances and a zesty, dry, powerful toasty complexity Full fruity aromas with Lighter side of an oaked Chardonnaylemony palate. Needs time developing on the nose fresh lift of cut grass and style with a classy nose of 2014 HHHHto shine. 5+ $18 and lovely aged varietal nice balance of citrus toasty oak, stonefruit and Fresh bright varietal fruit flavours. Plenty more flavours with a hint of citrus and palate showing elements well matchedLeconfield Old Vines years left in it yet! $45 asparagus. 3-5 $22 great restraint, complex with some very goodCoonawarra Riesling flavour profile and good quality creamy vanillin oak2015 HHH Precious Earth leesy characters. $39.95 and alert acid backbone.Fragrances reminiscent of South Eastern $20frangipani with pleasant Australia Semillon Sidewood Estatedry crisp lemon acid Chardonnay Chenin Adelaide Hillsflavours. 3-5 $26 Blanc 2015 HHH Chardonnay Simple and easy to drink 2014 HHHHMr Riggs Watervale - a picnic style with melon- Flinty lemon barley andClare Valley Riesling like fruit and nice oak apple-like aromas. Oak2014 HHH influence. $2.89 tending to dominateA crowd pleasing quaffer a creamy palate thatwith ripe confectionery A.C. Byrne & Co. shows great texture andfruit nose and palate and Margaret River minerality. $20powerful acid. Semillon Sauvignon Cockfighters Ghost3-5 $24 Blanc 2015 HHH Hunter Valley Pungent tropical nose ChardonnayMr Riggs Ein Riese with a crisp, lively and 2014 HHH1/2Adelaide Hills Riesling very flavoursome palate. A subtlety of pears and2013 HHH Excellent quaffer. apple blossoms on theOff-dry style with $9.99 nose and good fruitobvious perfumed flavours across the lengthvarietal fruit, some of the palate. $22residual sweetness and Taylors Clarecrisp acid. 3-5 $24 Valley Padthaway Chardonnay Charnwood Estate 2015 HHH Mudgee Orange Clean apple-like bouquet Semillon Sauvignon with citrussy notes and a Blanc 2015 HHH1/2 crisp acid palate tasting of Simple perfumed nose apple pie. $18.95 with light musky notes. Nice depth of sweet citrus flavours with balancing acidity. 3-5 $19JUDGES Matt Rechner Peter Simic Stephen John Owner/winemaker Editor/publisher Winestate Owner/winemaker of of Ekhidna Wines Magazine. More than 35 Stephen John Wines. in McLaren Vale for years’ experience in the More than 30 years’ the past 16 years. wine industry. Formerly winemaking experience. Formerly winemaker founding publisher of Has judged at Adelaide, for Tatachilla Wines. the first US colour wine National, and Barossa Has previously magazine, manager of wine shows. Regular vintaged in Sonoma, the SA Wine Information Winestate panellist and California with Daryl Bureau, and wine educator chairman of judges at Groom. with Regency College, in SA. the Winestate Wine of the Year Awards.114 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Mount Avoca Estate Pyrenees Chardonnay 2014 HHH Thick sweet varietal fruit characters on nose and palate with somewhat reserved oak sitting behind. $26 Mills Reef Reserve Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2014 HHH Quite a big wine with simple honey/rock melon- like fruit layered with fresh creamy oak. $29Marko's Vineyard Pooles Rock Single Brygon Reserve EXCLUSIVEAdelaide Hills Vineyard Hunter Third Wheel Reserve WINEChardonnay Valley Chardonnay Margaret River2015 HHH 2012 HHH Chardonnay PARTNERLight and tight. Good Typical complex oily 2010 HHHmineral edge to the Hunter chardonnay nose Lovely rich ripe fig andmelony fruit. Light oak with a lightweight greenish melon aromas with softuse. Good complexity for a palate. $45 generous mouthfillingyoung wine. $27 flavours. $24.99Map Maker Brygon ReserveChardonnay Pure The Bruce ROSÉMarlborough Margaret River VBBAEULSYUTSEChardonnay Chardonnay 5 TASTED2014 HHH 2011 HHH 1 AWARDEDGreat nose with complex Described by one judgebarrel ferment and new as a \"Dolly Parton\", style!oak. Nice tight cool climate It's big, ripe and fruity andpalate. $20 ready for drinking.Jip Jip Rocks $19.99 DISCOVER ONE OFPadthaway Unoaked THE HUNTER VALLEY’SChardonnay Zonte's Footstep STILL-HIDDEN SECRETS,2014 HHH Scarlet LadybirdSubtle aromas and simple Fleurieu JA MES ESTATEelegant baked apple palate. Peninsula RoséSome alcohol warmth and 2015 HHH1/2 VBBAEULSYUTSE James Estate’s superb wines aresome sweetness. $20.95 crafted with care and time to deliver a Lovely light pink sophisticated, quality wine experience. hues with lifted, estery cranberry, raspberry and Reflecting the spirit of the Hunter Valley watermelon characters wine tradition, our rich and diverse on nose and palate. Nice grape supply is one hundred percent quaffer. $18 grown and produced in the Hunter. All our wines are processed, aged and bottled onsite. This means from grape to glass, every James Estate wine is a product of care, skill, experience and a strong sense of “place”. It’s time to discover James Estate - the secret of the Hunter Valley.Shane Harris Owen Inglis 1210 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320Winemaker for Wines by Owner of Sidewood + 61 2 4998 7992Geoff Hardy including, Wines in the Adelaide 951 Bylong Valley Way Baerami NSW 2333Pertaringa Wines, K1 and Hills since 2004. Has + 61 2 6547 5168Handcrafted by Geoff Hardy completed the WSET jamesestatewines.com.auWines. Has also completed course. Wine importer facebook.com/jamesestatewinesvintages in Queensland and and distributor forVictoria. Completed the 30 years. QualifiedAWRI advanced sensory sommelier.course and has associatejudged at McLaren ValeWine Show. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 115

NEW RELEASESPINOT NOIR Handcrafted Mount Avoca Alexander Laing Pertaringa Two by Geoff Hardy Limited Release Barossa Valley Gentlemen's8 TASTED Limestone Coast Pyrenees Grenache McLaren Vale G.S.M. Montepulciano Sangiovese 2012 HHHH1/2 2014 HHHH1 AWARDED 2014 HHH1/2 2015 HHHH A huge plumy nose A huge ripe style - a real Pleasant fresh estery fruit A nicely rounded wine that is rich and ripe with classic with the lightVery ordinary class aromas and dry herbal showing a lovely balance nice aged characters toastiness on the smokylacking direction and varietal flavours with a of herbal-like varietal developing. Great palate fruit nose and slightly portyvarietal fruit. No great crisp acid finish. Good food fruit, some residual - soft and sweet with fruit characters on thefaults; just no character. wine. $30 sweetness and a drying intense flavours of fruit palate. $22 tannic finish. $35 pastilles. Ready to drinkBream Creek Mount Avoca 919 Wines now. $55 Vinrock McLarenTasmania Pinot Limited Release Reserve Riverland Vale GrenacheNoir 2012 HHHH Pyrenees Nebbiolo Sangiovese Beresford Estate 2014 HHHHLifted strawberry nose 2015 HHH 2015 HHH1/2 McLaren Vale A generous varietal withwith a palate showing Smoky herbal nose and Nice quaffer with lovely Grenache big estery aromas andgenuine varietal flavours palate with lots of toasty olive-like savoury nose 2014 HHHH excellent balance of vibrantlike stewed beet and oak and chewy tannins. and a crisp lively palate. A soft and very fruit flavours with therhubarb. Excellent lingering Needs food! $45 \"It needs a plate of pasta,\" flavoursome varietal with lovely rich chewy oak. $25finish. $35 said one judge. $32 sweet fleshy varietal Cotes Du Rhone Kirrihill Clare Valley fruit, lovely toasty oak Villages Cotes Du Sangiovese and drying tannins. \"Very Brick Kiln Single Rhone Red Blend 2014 HHH1/2 drinkable.\" $35 Vineyard GrenacheOTHER RED 2014 HHH Herbal candy stick aromas Millbrook 2014 HHH1/2VARIETALS & A very approachable and and nicely balanced Geographe Grenache Lovely big ripe jammy fruitBLENDS pleasant dry red with berry mid-weight palate with Shiraz Mourvedre aromas and a big fruit cake fruit, soft tannins and high seamless integration of 2014 HHHH of a palate. A real crowd13 TASTED acidity. $9.99 fruit, acid and tannin. $28 Very appealing red blend pleaser with cellaring Zonte's Footstep that has an abundance of potential. 3-5 $258 AWARDED Handcrafted Canto di Lago fresh fleshy fruit, some by Geoff Hardy Fleurieu Peninsula attractive sweet herbalSurprisingly, some very Adelaide Hills Sangiovese Barbera characters and savoury McGuigan Cellarnice wines here creating Limestone Coast 2013 HHH nuances. $22 Select Barossaa lot of interest. The Tempranillo Perfumed floral fruit Valley Grenachebest showed excellent 2014 HHH bouquet and tight acid 2014 HHH1/2varietal intensity. Subtle blackberry palate with herbal flavours Nose shows good fruit/ bouquet and excellent and good tannins. Needs oak integration as does the berry fruit flavours with food! $25 well balanced, mid-weight, drying tannins and lots palate. Nice tannins on theZonte's Footstep of acid. $30 finish. 5+ $25Violet BeauregardLanghorne Creek Mr Riggs Yacca Mr Riggs TheMalbec 2014 HHHH Paddock Adelaide Magnet McLarenA fresh, lively and youthful Hills Tempranillo Vale Grenachewine with some very 2013 HHH 2013 HHH1/2attractive, very different A light, austere smoky oak/ GRENACHE & Ageing caramel charactersand very distinctive aromas stewed fruit style with BLENDS developing on the noseand flavours. Has potential. powerful tannins. Potential. and lovely soft and 12 TASTED flavoursome Christmas 3-5 $25 5+ $30 11 AWARDEDKirrihill Mt Lofty SANGIOVESE & cake palate. 5+ $30 BLENDSMontepulciano Excellent class. Great Artwine Grumpy2014 HHHH 6 TASTED consistency across the Old Man Clare ValleyA well-made wine 5 AWARDED board. \"The best class Grenache 2014 HHHwith excellent cellaring of these wines I have Big raisined nose andpotential. Lovely ripe A small but strong seen,\" enthused one simple sweet herbal fruitberry fruit bouquet, good varietal class with a judge. \"Here we see palate with an interestingbalance of varietal fruit great diversity of styles. varietal generosity and spicy edge to it. $30flavours; nice tannin texture - all soft andstructure. 5+ $28 Mount Avoca slippery.\" Moates LaneLeconfield Pyrenees Paulmara EstatesCoonawarra Petit Sangiovese The Melee BarossaVerdot 2014 HHHH 2012 HHHH1/2 Grenache BlendA delicate lift of violets on a A youthful fruit driven style 2014 HHHH1/2nicely integrated bouquet. with some berry fruit and A very pretty wine - trueYouthful palate of berry toffee apple-like characters to the variety. Fresh liftedfruit, strong tannins and on the nose and fresh, confectionery fruit aromashigh acidity for a long life. lively palate that is long and elegant and packed with 5+ $29 berry flavours. $39.95 and a silky smooth palate with some lively varietal flavours. Good cellaring potential. 5+ $19.99116 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER



NEW RELEASESGreenock Estate CABERNET Hoggies EstateBarossa Valley BLENDS Australia CabernetGrenache Shiraz Sauvignon2013 HHH 3 TASTED 2014 HHHA light fresh quaffer with A pleasant youthfulsoft, developing, fruit 2 AWARDED fruit-driven style withcharacters and powerfultannins. $45 Two nice examples! fresh lifted varietal fruit and dusty oak. 3-5MERLOT & $13.99BLENDS Kangarilla Hill McLaren Vale Tomich Hole in One7 TASTED Cabernet Merlot Coonawarra4 AWARDED 2013 HHHH Cabernet VBBAEULSYUTSE Velvety fruit and oak nose SauvignonA mixed group of and a tight palate with a 2014 HHHyouthful wines. nicely developing flavour A very nice quaffer with profile. \"It has time on its clean, lifted and esteryRichard Hamilton side,\" said one judge. varietal fruit layered withLot 148 McLaren $15 light toasty oak. $18Vale Merlot2013 HHHH One Road South PertaringaThe vanillin oak is nicely Eastern Australia Understudy McLarenmatched by the nutty, Cabernet Merlot Vale Cabernetelegant, cool climate 2014 HHH Sauvignonvarietal fruit. The Smells of blueberry Mollydooker Patrick Estate 2014 HHHflavoursome palate has jam with a tight palate Gigglepot McLaren Coonawarra Complexity of stonefruita nice chewy oak finish. and slightly herbaceous Vale Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon and vanilla oak aromas and flavours. 3-5 Sauvignon 2013 HHHH a long well-balanced sour 5+ $21 $6.99 2014 HHHHH Vibrant blueberry fruit cherry palate. $22 \"A complete wine; nothing aromas lift off the noseLeconfield CABERNET missing!\" noted one with similar characters Bird in HandCoonawarra Merlot SAUVIGNON judge. It has beautiful echoed on the tight, Adelaide Hills2013 HHH1/2 fresh oak and blueberry elegant and still youthful Cabernet SauvignonRich berry fruit is nicely 24 TASTED fruit complexity on the palate. $29 2014 HHHintegrated with the lifted nose that leads to a Patrick of A pretty floral nose andfresh oak. Well balanced 15 AWARDED superb sweet fruit palate. Coonawarra Home very oaky, but stylish,wine with some green Block Coonawarra palate with great barrelovertones. $21 The judges found this a 3-5 $49 Cabernet Sauvignon ferment complexity. $42 very nice class to judge. Sandalford Estate 2012 HHHHMount Avoca Estate \"The varietal definition Margaret River Big rich fruit cake-like Beresford EstatePyrenees Merlot across the board was very Cabernet Sauvignon aromas followed by a McLaren Vale2015 HHH good,\" said one. \"Great 2014 HHHH1/2 tight and very complex Cabernet SauvignonVery, very young and intensity of fruit and some Deep red hues, beautiful palate with powerful fruit 2013 HHHintense with huge rich ripe friendly accountants blueberry-like fruit, flavours and plenty of Lifted complexity of dustyfruit and powerful fresh allowing for appropriate complex oak characters tannic grip. $45 oak and rich cassis fruitoak. Needs time. $30 oak!\" said another. with hints of Vegemite. Mt Monster which follows through to It has a lifted estery nose Limestone Coast the palate. $35Pertaringa Stage and a nice dry palate with Cabernet SauvignonLeft Adelaide Merlot Sandalford intense flavours. $45 2014 HHH1/2 Barristers Block2014 HHH Prendiville Reserve Vinrock McLaren Nice touch of cassis fruit The JP WrattonbullyAn austere aperitif Margaret River Vale Cabernet on the nose and good Cabernet Sauvignonstyle - still a baby with Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon mix of sweet fruit and 2012 HHHlean herbaceous fruit 2014 HHHHH 2014 HHHH drying tannins on the long Nicely integrated agedcharacters. $22 Great colour and Lovely soft cassis fruit lingering palate. $16.95 wine with a nose and excellent intensity of oak complimented perfectly by Cockfighters Ghost palate of cassis fruit and and fruit on the nose. the oak, acid and mouth Langhorne Creek leathery complexity. $69 puckering tannins. Has Cabernet Sauvignon It has a tight, zesty and length and complexity. $25 2014 HHH1/2 very youthful palate with Zonte's Footstep A huge rich and very beautiful varietal fruit Avalon Tree Fleurieu intense blueberry bouquet vibrancy and plenty of Peninsula Cabernet and a tight, youthful palate acidity. 3-5 $90 Sauvignon with lovely sour cherry-like 2014 HHHH flavour profile. $22 A classy number with excellent red cherry-like varietal fruit, lovely toasty oak and some leathery-like complexity starting to develop. $25118 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingSHIRAZ & Blackstone Paddock Bird in Hand Two inBLENDS 2014 Barossa Valley the Bush Adelaide Shiraz 2014 HHHH Hills Shiraz42 TASTED Big old fashioned oak- 2014 HHH23 AWARDED driven shiraz that has A young tightly woundGenerally the 2014 great colour intensity and wine; a great spicy earthyvintage is coming up as masses of beautiful bright style that just needs timea strong one for shiraz. boysenberry-like fruit. to relax. $23The best wines had fruit $19.99 Sidewood Estateat optimum maturity Adelaide Hills Shirazwith winemakers' Blackstone Paddock Beresford Classic 2014 HHHshowing careful The Player Barossa McLaren Vale Shiraz Interesting nose. \"Maybeattention to extraction Valley Shiraz 2014 HHH1/2 wild ferment,\" queriedlevels. But there were 2014 HHHH1/2 Beautiful fruit and oak use one judge. Lighter style ofsome unfinished and A huge nose that is like here. Cherry cola and wild palate. $25raw or prematurely aged a Cherry Ripe with some flower bouquet showing Zonte's Footstepwines here too. black pepper thrown in. It a violet lift and warm dark Lake Doctor has an intensely rich cherry fruit palate. $25 Langhorne CreekMollydooker pie of a palate with some Taylors Wines Shiraz 2014 HHHCarnival of Love alcohol warmth. Time! Jaraman Clare Valley Excellent depth of purpleMcLaren Vale Shiraz $14.99 Taylor Ferguson McLaren Vale Shiraz hues with bright fruit and2014 HHHHH Family Reserve 2014 HHH1/2 fresh oak nose and aA big dark brooding McLaren Vale Shiraz An excellent intense classy velvety palate. $25number that has a great Pertaringa Regional 2014 HHHH and complete crimson Artwine The Kellycolour and some very Series McLaren Vale Huge young chocolaty wine. Great fruit Surrender Singleintense vibrant red berry Shiraz Mataro shiraz with lovely dark red depth and excellent Vineyard Clarefruit that is seamlessly 2014 HHHH1/2 fruit characters and big oak complements it Valley Shirazbalanced with the lovely Rich cherry nose with grippy tannins. It needs perfectly. $29.50 2014 HHHfresh oak and assertive slight confectionery notes time in the cellar to reach Mt Monster A big Aussie shiraz withtannins. $75 and nice meaty savoury its potential. $20 Limestone Coast good oak use supporting complexity. Great flavour Shiraz 2014 HHH the minty berry varietal length and persistence A big wine that's a fruit. $30 on the tight palate. Needs Garners Heritage compote of rhubarb, Handcrafted time. $35 Wine Strathbogie earthiness, spices and by Geoff Hardy Ranges Shiraz bubblegum and some McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 HHHH meatiness. $16.95 2014 HHH Jacobs Creek Beautiful purple hues with Dr Richard Hamilton Great colour and an Reserve Limestone floral fruit aromas and a The Surgeon abundance of warm ripe Coast Shiraz soft and generous palate McLaren Vale Shiraz blackberry fruit with a nice 2014 HHHH with excellent persistence 2014 HHH touch of tannins. $30 Lovely nose smells of of varietal flavours. $25 Soft creamy easy drinking Audrey Wilkinson fresh cherries and violets. wine with excellent Winemakers Very good cool climate spicy fruit. \"A very classy Selection Hunter blackberry palate with Leconfield McLaren number.\" $21 Valley Shiraz layers of chocolate. Great Vale Shiraz Pertaringa 2014 HHH potential. $19 2014 HHHH Undercover McLaren Minty notes to the nose A medium weight with Vale Shiraz with more mint and some beautiful rich mulberry 2014 HHH gunflint characters on a Charnwood Estate and blackberry-like fruit Earthy spicy aromas complex palate. $38 Mudgee Shiraz and spicy peppery notes. with lovely big chocolaty/ Mollydooker Blue 2014 HHHH Shows great cellaring mulberry-like flavour Eyed Boy McLaren Fresh berry nose with a potential. $26 profile. $22 Vale Shiraz pretty fruit lift and a tightly 2014 HHH wound palate with flavours \"All class.\" Has depth, of violets, blackberries, Burnbrae Mudgee length and power with olives and rhubarb. Give it Shiraz 2014 HHHH beautiful dark plum time. $19 Light bright strawberry jam fruit and great oak aromas and a lovely stylish handling. $49 and rich chocolate and red Mollydooker berry palate with a long Enchanted Path warming finish. $30 McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet 2014 HHH A huge rich classic Aussie blend that packs a real punch with its dark fruit and lovely oak. $75 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 119

NEW RELEASESSHIRAZ Greenock Estate Kangarilla Hill Morambro Creek2013 & OLDER Single Block Barossa Adelaide Hills Shiraz Padthaway Shiraz Valley Shiraz 2010 HHH1/2 2012 HHH24 TASTED 2002 HHHH1/2 Nicely aged complex Developing nose with20 AWARDED \"Great dinner party wine,\" bouquet with aromas like minty characters and suggested a judge. \"A Cherry Ripe. A drying, sweet stonefruit flavours.The judges were controversial curio,\" complex tannic palate with A crowd pleaser. $34.95unanimous in their suggested another. Almost solid sweet aged fruit.opinion that this like a semi-aged sweet $15 Springton Hills Koopwas an outstanding fortified. Has great flavour Shanahans Old Creek Reserve Edenclass showing great and freshness. $175 Dog Barossa Valley Valley Shirazconsistency across the Shiraz 2013 HHH 2012 HHHboard. \"These wines had Greenock Estate A simple style with an Lovely chocolate cake-likeexceptional weight and Barossa Valley excellent balance of red nose and very ripe berrydepth,\" noted one judge. Shiraz 2013 HHHH berry fruit and dense oak. palate with slightly green A beautiful intense ripe tannins. $35 Aussie style of shiraz 5+ $19.95 showing lovely solid sweet Mr Riggs McLaren SWEET & fruit aromas and a velvety Vale Shiraz FORTIFIED soft fruit-driven palate. 2013 HHH Rich Christmas cake of a 2 TASTED 3-5 $35 nose and very ripe palate 1 AWARDED with nice dry/sour fruit Shanahans Silence flavours. $50 One excellent example is Golden Barossa Songlines McLaren of a sweet white. Mr Riggs Piebald Valley Shiraz Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Syrah 2013 HHHH 2013 HHH GMH by Geoff 2013 HHHH1/2 Attractive blackberry fruit A silky smooth crowd Hardy Noble Sweet \"A wine with elegance and complexity to the nose and pleaser with flavours White South Eastern class,\" noted one judge. some lovely sour plum-like of fruit cake. \"I love it,\" Australia Noble Nose still closed but some flavours with sweet oak enthused one judge. $50 2013 (375ml) HHHH smoky oak is peeking and soft tannins. 3-5 Mungo Park Barossa A deep golden wine through. Soft and round $19.95 Valley Shiraz exhibiting a powerful in the mouth and full of 2013 HHH lifted botrytis richness. sweet fruit flavours. $30 2 Mates McLaren Mellow mocha oak and An excellent style with Beresford Estate Vale Shiraz ripe fruit aromas with a big burst of lychee-like McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013 HHHH upfront sweet Christmas flavours. $18 2013 HHHH1/2 Hints of Vegemite-like cake flavours. $55 A huge black/red characters on the nose. Exile Barossa Valley blockbuster of your classic Big mouthful of soft ripe Shiraz 2013 HHH jammy Aussie shiraz. stonefruit flavours with A hot and somewhat Very good wine with appropriate oak and acid to aggressive style with big lively vibrant fruit that's balance. $35 ripe porty fruit and drying seamlessly balanced with tannins. $60Hugo McLaren a big hit of cedary oak. Mount Avoca Old Brick Kiln The IngotVale Shiraz Vine Pyrenees Shiraz 2013 HHH2013 HHHH1/2 5+ $35 Shiraz 2013 HHHH Excellent colour, lovelySome excellent ripe berry A fresh clean balanced chocolaty nose and well-varietal fruit characters wine with fresh lifted red rounded integrated sweethere seamlessly integrated berry fruit nicely integrated oak/fruit flavours. $85with some very 'tidy' oak. with the sweet vanillin oak. SandalfordThe palate is soft, well- Has a drying finish. $35 Prendiville Reservestructured and has plenty Margaret Riverof length. 3-5 $25 Shiraz 2013 HHH Richmond Grove Fresh estery fruit and oak Limited Release fragrances and sweet McLaren Vale Shiraz fruit flavours laced with 2012 HHHH oak. $90 An elegant and still quite youthful floral nose with a nicely balanced and complex chocolaty palate and a drying tannic finish. $18.99 Stable Hill Mustang Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2 Quite pungent fruit salad- like aromas and a mouthful of lovely sweet plum flavours with good use of oak. 3-5 $15120 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

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BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20Zonte's Footstep Possingham & Summers Ruru Central Otago Dashwood MarlboroughDoctoressa di Lago Estate McLaren Vale Pinot Gewurztraminer 2015 Sauvignon Blanc 2015Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio Gris 2015 This full-bodied and fresh, Mouthfilling, aromatic and2015 Ripe varietal fruit of honeysuckle slightly sweet wine was grown lively, with good varietalA hint of pears on the nose and guava with upfront oak. at Alexandra. Lightly scented, character and fresh melon,and light simple palate Big flavoursome wine. $18 it has attractive, lemony, lime and green capsicumwith good crisp fruit. $18 appley, gently spicy flavours, flavours that linger well. $18 Possingham & Summers with earthy notes addingZonte's Footstep P: 08 8272 3406 a touch of complexity. $19 Foley Family Wines LimitedP: 08 8383 2032 E: [email protected] P: +64 27 527 7338E: [email protected] www.possumswines.com.au Immigrants Vineyard E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.foleyfamilywines.com www.immigrantsvineyard.co.nzBEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND$U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. TO QUALIFY Some wines may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others 1 Wines must have first been recommended will sell out, or be replaced by higher-rated wines. in Winestate Magazine style or new release The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal comprises the best wines currently available, from big- tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or name brands and the higher volume ‘second labels’ blended styles such as shiraz/cabernet wines. from the smaller producers, as tasted by Winestate 2 Wines from designated regional tastings Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives are eligible provided they are widely available. credit to the value wines in the marketplace - wines 3 All wines must be currently available from that would otherwise be overshadowed by their much the winery, or be readily available in the more expensive cousins. marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable.122 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Hoggies Estate Zonte's Footstep Excalibur Brygon ReserveThe Bruce Totino Estate AdelaideCoonawarra Sauvignon Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Margaret River Chardonnay Hills UnwoodedBlanc 2015 Blanc 2015 2011 Chardonnay 2013Ripe floral fragrances with Light varietal lift to the nosetropical notes and nice and soft fresh flavoursome Described by one judge Toasty citrus/floral aromasfresh fruity palate. $13.99 palate. Excellent quaffer. $18 as a \"Dolly Parton,\" style! and a tight lean and It's big, ripe and fruity and citrussy palate with aHoggies Estate (Stentiford Pty Ltd) Zonte's Footstep ready for drinking. $19.99 good crisp acid finish. $19P: 0418 854102 P: 08 8383 2032E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Brygon Reserve Wines Festival City Wineswww.hoggieswine.com www.zontesfootstep.com.au P: +61 419 865 556 P: +61 8 8349 1200 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.brygonreservewines.com.au www.festivalcitywines.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 123

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20Queen Adelaide South Gartelmann Veronica Zonte's Footstep Scarlet Dashwood MarlboroughEastern Australia Hunter Valley Rosé 2015 Ladybird Fleurieu Pinot Noir 2014Chardonnay 2013 Delicate red fruit bouquet Peninsula Rosé 2015 Fragrant, medium-bodied with some pungency. Lovely light pink hues with lifted, style with cherry, plum andFresh lifted citrus/tropical nose Solid confectionery sweet estery cranberry, raspberry and spice flavours, showing aand a punchy creamy lemon palate with spicy notes. $20 watermelon characters on nose touch of oak complexity,custard palate with green apple and palate. Nice quaffer. $18 and good depth. $20notes and balanced sweetness. Gartelmann Wines$8.99 P: 02 4930 7113 Zonte's Footstep Foley Family Wines Limited E: [email protected] P: 08 8383 2032 P: +64 27 527 7338Vok Beverages www.gartelmann.com.au E: [email protected] E: [email protected]: 08 8182 1841 www.zontesfootstep.com.au www.foleyfamilywines.comE: [email protected] If you’re into food and wine and looking Villa Janji - Villa of Promise :: a romantic retreat for one couple. for luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley then Midnight’s Promise Estate is the place for you. Midnight's Promise Estate + Wines and Villa Janji | P: +61 2 9235 3947 | E: [email protected] | www.midnightspromise.com.au124 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Brygon Reserve Enchanted Hoggies Estate Australia Sanguine Estate Kindred Grampians EstateSouth Eastern Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Heathcote Shiraz 2013 Sheepyard Flat ReserveSyrah Dolcetto NV Grampians Port NV A pleasant youthful fruit driven Dense inky aromas ofLifted fresh fruity nose and style with fresh lifted varietal fruit blackberries and oak. Big solid Caramelly rancio aromasclean honeyed palate with and dusty oak. 3-5 $13.99 chunky palate with background with nice age and lengthnice raspberry flavours. $14.99 of sweet fruit. $14.95 to the slightly closed old Hoggies Estate (Stentiford Pty Ltd) liqueur-like palate. $15Brygon Reserve Wines P: 0418 854102 Sanguine EstateP: +61 419 865 556 E: [email protected] P: 0417 831 076 Grampians EstateE: [email protected] www.hoggieswine.com E: [email protected] P: 03 5354 6245www.brygonreservewines.com.au www.sanguinewines.com.au E: [email protected] www.grampiansestate.com.au We have to wash over 32,000 wine glasses each year ... so you don’t have to. Subscribe to Australia’s Leading Wine Buying Guide phone +61 8 8357 9277 or on-line www.winestate.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 125