Wine & Spirit Insider November December 2017

insiderthe wine & spiritAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALANDNovember/December 2017 Issue 156 COMPLIMENTARY COPY THE WINE & SPIRIT INSIDER IS A PROMOTIONAL GUIDE FROM THE LIQUOR TRADE TO THE CONSUMER. Winestate Publishing ABN 56 088 226 411In this issue...New Releases &Best Value BuysUnder $20

Bardinet XO Cask Finished Fantastic richer, fuller depth of oily toffee fruit showing great structure. High spirit, but well balanced oak complexity. Has wonderful aged brandy length.BASED in Bordeaux and born in the heart of the French Bardinet VSOP Bardinet XOvineyards, Bardinet French Brandy is patiently distilled and A pleasant broad unctous Fragrant high spirit nose, withmatured in oak casks. Its delicate aroma and mellow taste aroma with hints of toffee. lovely vanillin oak and raisinare highly appreciated by connoisseurs. As well as Brandy, Slippery rich/sweet oily flavours fruit. Has character. LiftedBardinet distributes rum and other spirits. The group owns with mild easy drinking alcohol brandy flavour with evidentseveral brands of rum (Negrita, Dillon2, Old Nick), a brand of balance. Nice brandy aftertaste. oak. A great each way bet, withwhiskey (Sir Edward's), a brand of vodka (Aska). Bardinet also ice or as a mixer!distributes cocktails such as punch, but also cane syrups,bandages and liqueurs.Paul Bardinet´s GeniusIt all began in 1857. A young distiller from Limoges, PaulBardinet, took an interest in the sugar cane alcohol importedin old world ports from faraway islands. 'Ratafia' as it wasthen known was not considered to be of great value bythe corsairs, but its apparent roughness hid great secrets.Paul managed to bring out the latent, incomparabletastes and aromas that sugar cane still gives us today toproduce exquisite rums. Having become an expert spiritstrader, Paul Bardinet created the emblematic 'Negrita'brand in 1857, which is now sold all over the world.Later, warehouses grew in France to handle the imports andthis allowed an expansion into the bottling and blending of a fullrange of products. Today, they claim title to Europe's leading rum& brandy producer along with a line of other products. In 1974it became part of Domaine de Fleurenne located in Bordeaux.In 2009, Bardinet and the company La Martiniquaise mergedin a new company: the BLMD (Bardinet La MartiniquaiseDistribution). Bardinet is available through Dan Murphy's.112 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

JUDGES Russell Johnson: CEO of Russell Johnson Consulting, for wine & spirit R&D. Previously with Seagram Spirits. Adelaide Wine Show judge in the brandy class. Tim Gneil: Product Manager, Tarac Technologies, responsible for blending brandies and neutral spirits. Fortified judge at Melbourne and Rutherglen wine shows. Steven Matthews: Former lecturer in hospitality studies at Regency College & Adelaide Institute of Tafe. Also former general manager of the Earl of Zetland Hotel, and malt specialist.BArrmanadgyna&cBas-Armagnac is one of the three plantation areas inthe Armagnac area where grapes for the distillation Chateau du Tariquet Bas Chateau du Tariquet Basof the Armagnac eau-de-vie can be cultivated. It Armagnac XO Armagnac Le Legendaireextends over the Landes and Gers departments and Rich spicy fruit presence, with Shows complex agedrepresents 57% of the vineyards. It lies in the west, age and integration offering characters. Fuller brandybeside Armagnac-Ténarèze, an undulating area; the a smooth aroma of richness depth of aromas, with driedgrapes grow in acidic, argillaceous and stony ground. and oily raisin fruit. Fantastic fruit overtones. Complex dryLike Cognac the main grape varieties used are ugni Armagnac palate with nice flavours with high spirit andblanc (trebbiano in Australia), colombard and the sweet fruit presence and oak creating a drier structure.original Armagnac grape, folle blanche. complexity, with subtle dry Great! sherry oak integration. Chateau du Tariquet is one of the most importantdistillers in the region. They regularly produce greatexamples of the “spirit of the grape” from theirvineyard dating back to the 19th century and revivedin 1939, with the Grassa family forming the companythat it is now in 1972. Chateau du Tariquet is availablethrough Dan Murphy's.Great Value Buy Baroque Brandy Chateau du Tariquet Chateau du Tariquet Bas Sweet fragrant light Bas Armagnac 12 Armagnac VSOP fruit, tending to Folle Blanche Pale amber, with green, gold broadness. Spirited Medium amber colour, with edges, lighter pleasant all round palate, showing clean spirity nose. Nice dry brandy. A good introduction to subtle fruit and age. nutty flavours with floral spirit the brandy spirit. Nutty style, Savoury smoky fruit. coming through and oak with some honeyed dryness. A very good mixer presence. Has character! Easy and pleasant. option! Available at Aldi Stores - $26.99 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 113

219 TASTED132 AWARDEDNEW RELEASESAnother diverse lot of wines, as expected. Once again we put Katnook Founder's'em up and the judges knock 'em down. Luckily there are more Block Coonawarathan enough wins here for the cream to rise to the top along Sparkling Shirazwith some great value quaffers to buy. With its diversity new 2015 HHHreleases is always one of our most interesting tastings. Lovely nose, smells of prunes. Excellent flavours on a complex palate with drying tannins. $23SPARKLING Azahara Victoria OTHER WHITE Hand Crafted Sparkling Moscato VARIETALS & by Geoff Hardy8 TASTED NV HHH1/2 BLENDS Adelaide Hills Arneis7 AWARDED Light lift of rose petal/ 2017 HHH1/2 musky aromas and 9 TASTED Big tropical bouquet andAn interesting and lovely fruity muscat 3 AWARDED nice floral length to thediverse group of wines. flavour profile. A fresh lively palate with very nice drink - not The judges were its clean acid and slightFreixenet Elyssia overdone. $16 disappointed with this grippy edge. $25Gran Cuvee Cava Trentham The Family group of whites. Some Tamburlaine WineSpain Brut Maestri Murray oxidised imports let the Lovers OrangeNV HHHH1/2 Darling Frizzante side down. Others had GewurztraminerA clean, lively and classy 2017 HHH a general lack of varietal 2017 HHHsparkling showing a Dark brooding fruit characters. \"If you call An elegant wine withlovely complexity of nose and a simple it a varietal it should fresh and alert greentoasty, yeasty mature confectionery sweet at least have varietal fruit characters with aaromas with very primary fruit palate. characters,\" said one mineral element. $22attractive lemon sherbet $15 judge.flavours on the toasty Artwine Adelaidepalate. $20 Champagne J. De Hills Prosecco Telmont Grand 2017 HHHChampagne J. De Champagne Rosé A pleasant zesty freshTelmont Grande Brut NV HHHH drink with full fruityReserve Champagne \"A serious wine!\" aromas with a softBrut NV HHHH thought one judge. flavoursome palate. $25A complex mature Lovely strawberrychampagne with complexity on theattractive aged leesy nose and distinctivearomas and a nice depth champagne flavours on aof toasty flavours with a dry palate. $80high level of acidity. $53JUDGES - DAY 1 Steve Warrick James Evers Wine marketer with Senior Winemaker, Bill Hardy 20 years experience Nepenthe Wines and Corporate oenologist for in McLaren Vale, Australian Vintage (SA Accolade Wines (formerly Coonawarra, Adelaide Premiums for 11 years). Constellation). 28 years’ Hills and Margaret Previously winemaker winemaking experience in River. Extensive wine at Mildara, Coonawarra places such as McLaren Vale, judging experience at and Glendonbrook and Western Australia and France. the Adelaide, Hobart Rothbury in the Hunter Has judged internationally and McLaren Vale wine Valley. (France and Japan), and been shows. an associate or senior judge at more than 20 state and regional wine shows in Australia.114 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingArtwine Wicked Sidewood Estate Pertaringa Regional McGuigan The Climbing OrangeStepmother Clare Adelaide Hills Series Adelaide Hills Shortlist Hunter Pinot Gris 2017 HHHValley Fiano Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Valley Semillon Complex, fresh and well2017 HHH 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHH 2017 HHH1/2 balanced. StylisticallyLight fruit salad nose Big fresh grassy/ Grapefruit-like citrus Quite a hot nose with correct, offering goodand palate. \"Excellent asparagus sauvignon characters tend to lovely citrus lift and loads cellaring potential. $24quaffer that's easy on blanc with a tropical dominate this well-made of citrus flavours withthe gums,\" said one nose and punchy palate wine. $30 excellent acid backbone. RIESLINGjudge. $25 with lovely varietal lift. Great palate balance. $29 $20 SEMILLON & 13 TASTEDSAUVIGNON Reillys Adelaide Hills BLENDS Sandalford Margaret 8 AWARDEDBLANC & Sauvignon Blanc River Range Classic A strong class overall,BLENDS 2017 HHH1/2 7 TASTED Dry White Margaret with the top wines Tropical-like lift to the 6 AWARDED River Semillon showing the elegance20 TASTED nose and a fleshy, nicely Sauvignon Blanc of the 2017 vintage.11 AWARDED textured, palate with A strong class of whites. 2017 HHH \"Riesling is the most lovely depth of varietal \"The semillon and A drink now style with undervalued category in\"Overall a pretty good fruit flavours. $25 sauvignon blanc varieties a powerful, upfront the Australian industry,\"bunch of fresh and Nepenthe Petraea in cool years really asparagus-like sauvignon commented one judge.flavoursome wines,\" Adelaide Hills work,\" said one judge. blanc influence. $20enthused one judge. Sauvignon Blanc \"Great for drinking now Springton Hills\"The 2017 vintage was 2016 HHH1/2 or for cellaring.\" PINOT GRIS/ Wines Eliza'sa good cool year and it A \"purposeful style\"; GRIGIO Single Vineyardshows in these results.\" quite different with the McGuigan Bin Eden Valley RieslingA few of the older wines oak showing through the 9000 Hunter Valley 8 TASTED 2017 HHHHHwere past their use by sweet aromatic citrussy Semillon 4 AWARDED A distinctively cooldate. fruit characters. $35 2017 HHHH1/2 climate riesling that's all Hoggies Estate Lingering lemon sherbet- A mixed bag of relatively class! It shows hints ofNepenthe Altitude Wines Coonawarra like aromas fill the glass light wines. \"Generally a herbs on the floral limeAdelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc with fragrance and has neutral group of wines nose and has a lovelySauvignon Blanc 2017 HHH excellent lemony citrus with a couple showing long, elegant and bone2017 HHHH1/2 A simple but balanced depth to the palate. Will fruit character,\" said one dry palate. $22An intense and complex style with a reasonable age very well. \"A really judge. \"Still confusion Eden Hall Reservestyle with deep pale length of sweet tropical lovely wine,\" thought about the name, but Eden Valley Rieslingstraw hues and lovely fruit intensity. $15 one judge. $13 focus on the flavour 2017 HHHH1/2herbaceous fruit aromas Ironwood particularly if you like A generously flavouredand flavours showing a Porongurup GMH White Meritage pinot gris.\" pale green wine that'szesty lift with quite an Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills soft, rich and seamlesslyalcoholic concentration. 2017 HHH Semillon Sauvignon Beelgara Estate balanced. The nice floral$20 A well-made commercial Blanc 2017 HHHH NSW Pinot Grigio elements mingle with style wine. A tad sweet A nice balance between 2017 HHH the ripe varietal fruitWignalls Single with some asparagus the two varieties with A very good example of characters. $35Vineyard Albany characters. $19 fragrant lime fruit mix style with dusty freshSauvignon Blanc Sandalford Estate of aromas and flavours aromas and a decent,2017 HHHH Reserve Margaret and nice phenolic well rounded palate.A very good wine, River Sauvignon complexity. Refreshing! $10.99quite French in style Blanc Semillon $18with elegant tropical 2017 HHH Trentham The Familyfruit aromas and nicely A lightweight with Tempus Two Pewter Murray Darlingconstructed palate with earthy green aromas and Hunter Valley Pinot Grigiogood depth sweet fruit. elegant fruit palate with Semillon 2017 HHH$19 'edgy' acidity. $20 2017 HHHH Well-made commercial K1 by Geoff Hardy A very good wine with style. More gris in styleNepenthe The Adelaide Hills typical minerally/limey with its fuller, complexLuminary Adelaide Sauvignon Blanc semillon fruit characters fatty/nutty characters.Hills Sauvignon 2017 HHH with balancing acidity. $15Blanc 2017 HHHH Nice passionfruit lift Offers good cellaringA very good, delightfully to the nose with clean potential. $34 Kingston Estateelegant sauvignon herbaceous fruit flavours. Adelaide Hills Pinotblanc that is seamlessly Good acidity. $25 Pertaringa Lakeside Gris 2017 HHHbalanced and sitting White Meritage Powerful yeast autolysismore in the fresh citrus South Australia characters sitting on topfruit spectrum. $25 Semillon Sauvignon of the sweet varietal Blanc 2017 HHH1/2 fruit. $18.99 A lemon and cut grass driven bouquet and a nicely textured palate with nice length and drive of fruit flavours. $20 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 115

NEW RELEASESStage Door Wine GRUNER Stage Door Wine Tempus Two McGuigan TheCo. The Green Room VELTLINER Co. White Note Copper Vegan Shortlist AdelaideEden Valley Riesling Eden Valley Gruner Hunter Valley Hills Chardonnay2017 HHHH 6 TASTED Veltliner 2017 HHHH Verdelho 2016 HHHHHStonefruit characters 4 AWARDED A floral/apple-like 2017 HHH1/2 Excellent green hueslift off the nose and the \"An elusive variety,\" bouquet with a generous Slightly reserved tropical here with distinctivelovely classy palate has a said one judge. \"The palate that has good aromas with a lychee lift. barrel ferment/burntcomplex balance of fruit, vines are still young and varietal fruit depth, Well balanced palate; match elements to thealcohol and some soft winemakers are finding prickly acidity and nicely good integration of nose. Plenty of interestacidity. $25 their way stylistically.\" A balanced sweetness. $25 tropical fruit and acid. $30 on the lovely rich andMcGuigan mixed result with some complex palate withThe Shortlist good examples that Eden Hall Tamburlaine Wine fresh line of acid. $29Eden Valley show promise. Eden Valley Lovers Hunter Valley Nepenthe IthacaRiesling 2017 HHHH Gruner Veltliner Verdelho Semillon Adelaide HillsFresh lifted and spicy K1 by Geoff Hardy 2017 HHH1/2 2017 HHH Chardonnayvarietal fruit aromas and Adelaide Hills Lovely aromas Interesting old fashioned 2016 HHHHgreat mix of savoury, Gruner Veltliner reminiscent of apples style. Lifted lemon curd \"A very nice wine,\"herbal and citrus flavours 2017 HHHH with jasmine-like nose and nice fruit/acid enthused one judge.on the long, delicious Somewhat restrained nuances. Good flavour drive to the palate. $22 Exhibits lovely simplepalate. $29 but well-made wine with depth, length and melon fruit charactersMercuri Estate orchard fruit aromas and balancing acid. $35 Sandalford Estate with light oak complexityRyder Clare Valley a slightly grippy, nicely Reserve Margaret and crisp acidity. $35Riesling textured palate. Nice Artwine In The River Verdelho Haha Marlborough2017 HHH1/2 fruit characters. $25 Groove Adelaide 2017 HHH ChardonnayA light green with Hills Gruner Veltliner Quite a sweetish wine 2016 HHH1/2an elegancy of zesty 2017 HHH with typical tropical Crisp ripe fruit andlime-like varietal fruit Fresh, light and simple varietal fruit characters subtle oak complexitycharacters with just with subtle apple on both nose and on the nose and aa hint of residual and citrus-like fruit palate. $25 creamy palate showingsweetness. $18 characters. $25 nice flavour freshness.Eden Hall Eden CHARDONNAY $15.99Valley Riesling VERDELHO & Saint Clair2017 HHH1/2 BLENDS 17 TASTED James SinclairVery varietal with light 9 AWARDED Marlboroughsherbety-like aromas 4 TASTED Chardonnayfollowed by a refreshing 4 AWARDED Some good results here 2016 HHH1/2medium length but some wines were A simple light greenpassionfruit palate. $22 Small but consistent lacking chardonnay wine with fresh liftedSchild Estate group of pleasant wines. varietal character and lime juice aromas whichBarossa Riesling \"An underrated variety interest. \"This should follow through to the2017 HHH showing an appealing be a category that fresh and elegant palate.Minerally, acid-driven tropical character,\" said absolutely shines,\" $17.50wine with very fresh one judge. said one judge. \"Some Saint Clairvarietal fruit characters. winemakers have Omaka ReserveNeeds time to settle. Tempus Two gone to the opposite Marlborough$15 Varietal Hunter extremes of making ChardonnayReillys Watervale Valley Verdelho their wines too elegant!\" 2016 HHH1/2Clare Valley Riesling 2017 HHHH1/2 Toasty oak aromas2017 HHH More of a commercial mingle with the varietalA broad, mid-weight style of wine with fruit. Creamy in thestyle with ripe fruit, attractive honeyed/floral mouth with good toastysome phenolics and a fragrances and a lovely oak length. \"A nicezesty end. $25 luscious palate loaded style.\" $33.50 with plenty of flavours and has great floral length. $16JUDGES - DAY 2 Marc Allgrove Akira Takahashi Partner at Evans and Assistant winemaker Stephen John Ayers consulting firm. at Vinteloper Wines, Senior Winemaker for The With over 20 years in Adelaide Hills. Judged Wine Group Australia and the Australian wine with East End Cellars. owner/winemaker of Stephen industry, both Australia Has been involved with John Wines. More than 30 and abroad. Worked at liquor retailing, wine list years’ winemaking experience. Hardy’s, Constellation, coordination and wine Has judged at Adelaide, Chapel Hill (CEO) buying. National, and Barossa wine and director of the shows. Regular Winestate Phylloxera board. panellist and chairman of judges at the Winestate Wine of the Year Awards.116 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingSandalford Margaret Nepenthe Altitude OTHER RED Lupe CholetRiver Range Adelaide Hills VARIETALS & Domaine DuMargaret River Pinot Noir Rosé BLENDS Bois Des ChenesChardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 Beaujolais Villages2017 HHH A great drink with light 11 TASTED Gamay 2015 HHHSimple stonefruit nose strawberry lift to the 5 AWARDED A simple quafferand more of a dry white nose and a beautifully with light strawberry/style of palate. No faults simple fruit palate with A mixed result from blackberry fruit and abut not very varietal. just the right amount of mixed varietals. The long drying finish. $33$20 acid. $20 wines reviewed were Walter Wines youthful and showed PINOT NOIRSaint Clair Federation Hill their varietal character.Pioneer Block Single Vineyard \"These are aimed at 13 TASTED10 Twin Hills Mudgee NSW young drinkers with 4 AWARDEDMarlborough Rosé 2017 HHH1/2 early release wines,\"Chardonnay Trentham A pleasant cherry berry suggested one judge. The Kiwi's win this2016 HHH The Family Murray bouquet and a tasty \"Young easy to drink round; some very niceAttractive aromas of Darling Sangiovese balance of sweet and wines.\" varietal examples.melons and cashews. Rosé 2017 HHHH savoury flavours on the \"Interesting to note thatNice mid-palate richness A very pretty pale pink well textured palate. Chateau Yaldara the best had brightnesswith good varietal wine showing lovely $20 Winemaker's of colour regardless offlavours. $27.90 lifted ripe raspberry fruit Graham Norton's Selection Barossa depth involved,\" said aromas and some nicely Own Pink By Design Valley Cabernet one judge. \"With thisBream Creek restrained berry fruit Hawkes Bay Franc 2016 HHHH variety the palate oftenTasmania flavours. $15 Rosé 2017 HHH Interesting Bordeaux- gives you more thanChardonnay Luna Rosa Nicely balanced, well like cassis aromas; the colour and nose2015 HHH Central Ranges made, dry style of rose hints of violets. Good suggests.\"A tropical complexity to Rosado 2017 HHHH in the savoury/sweet fruit, acid and grippythe slightly oily nose and Bright berry bouquet spectrum with prickly tannin integration. Still Saint Clair Pioneera long, bright, fresh fruit with a nice sweet lift acidity. $20 a youth needs time. Block 14 Doctor'sand light oak palate. $34 and has a nicely textured Sandalford Margaret Creek Marlborough palate with savoury River Range 3-5 $35 Pinot NoirLupe Cholet Chablis characters and good Margaret River 2016 HHHHChardonnay level of acidity. $16 Rosé 2017 HHH McGuigan Light berry bouquet2015 HHH Shingleback Good example of a The Shortlist with spicy oak addingFresh grassy/melon fruit Aficionado traditional grenache Barossa Valley complexity. The palatenose and lovely bright McLaren Vale rosé. Sweet and Montepulciano has lifted red berryflavours on the creamy Adelaide Hills luscious with good acid 2016 HHH1/2 flavours, subtle use ofpalate. $55 Rosé 2017 HHH1/2 balance. $20 Dense raspberry jam oak and fine acid. $31.90 Delicate sweet Tamburlaine nose and a powerfulROSÉ strawberry fragrances Wine Lovers well balanced berry fruit Saint Clair Pioneer and a dry/savoury palate Petite Fleur Orange palate with soft drying Block 23 Master16 TASTED with lovely volume of Hunter Valley tannins. Needs food! Block Marlborough10 AWARDED flavour and supportive Rosé 2017 HHH Pinot Noir acidity. $14.95 A vibrant hot pink wine 3-5 $29 2016 HHHHA mixed bag both Villa Maria Private with delicate raspberry Fine depth of red berryin style and results. Bin Hawkes Bay fruit characters Nepenthe Altitude fruits, herbs and spices\"There has been a real Rosé 2017 HHH1/2 mingling with some Adelaide Hills on a lifted nose. Therevolution in rosé in the A slightly fuller style of lovely acidity. $22 Tempranillo nicely textured palatepast few years going rosé that has some very The Grapes of 2016 HHH has a light oak tanninfrom the darker red attractive lifted floral/ Ross Ruby Tuesday An excellent quaffer finish. 3-5 $31.90types to now where berry fruit and nicely Barossa Valley Rosé with, \"No pretences\". It'swe see more light pink balanced sweetness. 2017 HHH all berry fruits, astringent Lowburn Ferry Homevarieties,\" said one $15.99 NZ Good grenache varietal tannins and soft acidity. Block Central Otagojudge. \"There are mainly fruit aromas and flavours $20 Pinot Noirdry styles with good with sweetness at a 2016 HHHacid balance.\" realistic commercial The Lindsay A very oaky nose and level. $23 Collection Bull some powerful dry red Fight Barossa Valley flavours layered with Tempranillo nice toastiness. $22 2015 HHH Stalky young fruit nose and high acid, green fruit palate with drying tannic finish. $20 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 117

NEW RELEASESBarristers Block Bayliss Road Grand Vin DePremium Wines McLaren Vale Chateau CrabiteySingle Vineyard G.S.M. 2016 HHH Graves MerlotAdelaide Hills Pinot \"Very stylistic,\" noted Cabernet SauvignonNoir 2016 HHH one judge. Lovely rich 2012 HHH1/2Developing toasty/nutty nose and a soft and Some pine needle notesaromas and pleasant creamy sweet/savoury to the nose with plumspicy fruit/herbal flavours palate. $19 fruit still obvious on thewith soft tannins. $38 palate. Tannins are there Chateau Yaldara but they are soft. $45GRENACHE & Foundations Barossa Haha Hawke's BayBLENDS Valley Grenache Merlot 2016 HHH 2016 HHH Stalky green edged9 TASTED Lifted vanilla and spice aromas and a well-7 AWARDED aromas with firm structured palate with flavours of powerful oak nice fruit intensity.A strong solid class of layered with berry fruits. Popular style. $15.99attractive reds. These The Lindsayoffer a nice spicy edge 5+ $27 Collection Oldwhich is different across Mac Barossa Valleythe board. \"The best Thorn-Clarke Wines Chateau Yaldara Trentham Estate Merlot 2015 HHHwines in this mid-weight Barossa Trail Reserve Barossa Murray Darling \"A big commercialvariety did not exhibit Barossa Grenache Valley Grenache Merlot 2016 HHHH offering,\" with itsover ripe characters, 2016 HHHH Shiraz Mataro This fruit dominated resinous oak nose andor were too young and Aromas of cooked 2015 HHH wine was described dark raspberry fruit/tart or showed excess fruit and new oak with Mature sweet berry as a, \"Serious, spicy charry oak flavours.tannins.\" well-balanced soft berry bouquet and a simple commercial style\". It's $20 flavours that are nicely flavoursome palate. Very deeper, darker, tighter Climbing OrangeVinrock McLaren matched by the subtle easy to drink! $35 and jammier! $16 Merlot 2015 HHHVale Grenache tannins. $35 Sirius Bordeaux Distinctive cool climate2016 HHHH Kalleske Old Vine MERLOT & Merlot Cabernet blackcurrant and plumNice uncomplicated Barossa Valley BLENDS Sauvignon style; a nice wine.style with a red berry Grenache 2012 HHH1/2 \"Needs time to tame thenose. Creamy in the 2016 HHHH 12 TASTED Drying tannic style; give tannins.\" $24mouth; fresh sweet Oaky aromas dominate 7 AWARDED it some air and lovely Chateau Deflavours. Good oak/acid the nose with elegant deep dark fruit Fontenille Grandbalance. 5+ $25 interesting smoked Generally disappointing emerges. Slight savoury Bordeaux Bordeaux bacon-like savouriness thought the judges. edge to the fruit. $33 Merlot CabernetVinrock McLaren on the palate. Drinking \"A few here were SauvignonVale G.S.M. well now or cellar it. over-oaked and grainy 2012 HHH2016 HHHH without the 'flesh' of A complex wine withDeveloping toasty/nutty 3-5 $45 fruit,\" said one judge. good maturing darknose and well-structured \"However the high fruit characters, savourypalate with slightly scorers relied more on elements and prominentsweet fruit flavours and the fruit balance which tannins. $33'furry' tannins. Very better expressed theapproachable wine. $25 varietal character.\"WWW.AWINEWAGON.COM.AU VINELANDER S.A.WINE ODYSSEY VOL.I INTIMATE & INDULGENT MIN 2 - MAX 10 PARTICIPANTS 2 FULL DAYS AND 1 NIGHT WEEKDAYS ONLY EITHER MONDAY/ TUESDAY OR THURSDAY/FRIDAY FOR THE MORE DISCERNING $595 PER PERSON ALL INCLUSIVE Airport and CBD pickups 8.30 - 9.15 am & Drop offs, 5.30 - 6.00 pm Also available for private charter BAROSSA VALLEY EDEN VALLEY ADELAIDE HILLS HAHNDORF Ph: 0488-06-5347 [email protected] The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingCABERNET & Rosenvale VineyardsBLENDS Estate Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon20 TASTED 2013 HHHH9 AWARDED Nicely aged, complex bouquet; plenty ofWatch here for the cassis and violets. Softstraight cabernets rather and sweet in the mouththan the blends, bar one with vanillin oak addingexception. These wines complexity. $24seemed to have morevarietal character. Therewere a few wines herethat were dismissedbecause of very greenfruit - which is hard totake.Beresford Classic 88 & 88 LanghorneMcLaren Vale Creek CabernetCabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon2015 HHHH1/2 2016 HHH1/2Beautifully complex Nose is a lovely blendnose; all cassis and of ripe cassis fruitcedar with nice and sweet new oak.nuttiness. A great The palate is rich andpalate - it has length, chocolaty with long softdepth and complexity tannins. $19.99with a balance ofsweet fruit and soft oakflavours. $28.99 Chateau Yaldara Foundations Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 HHH1/2 Smells like a Cherry Ripe chocolate bar with good depth of red berry fruit flavours and some astringent acidity. $27Oparina Padthaway Nepenthe Altitude DRINK RESPONSIBLYCabernet Shiraz Adelaide Hills2015 HHHH1/2 Cabernet SauvignonDeep crimson wine. 2016 HHHWell integrated fruit/ Dusty oak/cassis fruitoak nose it's still aromas and a tight, acidclosed. Lovely palate based, cool climate,complexity; excellent palate with bright acidity.depth of vibrant fruit, $20chewy oak and texturedtannins. Nice finish. $30 BORN IN FRANCE, INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED. www.bardinet.fr - [email protected] The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 119

NEW RELEASESBarristers Block Thorn-Clarke Wines Shingleback Local Federation Chateau YaldaraPremium Wines Barossa Trail Barossa Heroes McLaren Vale Langhorne Creek Foundations BarossaSingle Vineyard Shiraz 2016 HHHHH Shiraz Grenache Shiraz 2016 HHHH Valley ShirazWrattonbully Dark cherry fruits fill the 2016 HHHH1/2 A lovely medium-bodied 2016 HHH1/2Cabernet Sauvignon glass with lifted aromas. Well-made wine; a shiraz with blackberries Very oaky style but2016 HHH \"Nice to see such richness of black fruits and black pepper on the has good depth of darkRipe blackberry bouquet excellent integration of and licorice. The shiraz nose and pepper and varietal fruit below.and sweet oak palate. the varietal fruit and the fruit tends to dominate spice filling the berry \"Should become moreGood solid style with charred oak,\" enthused both the nose and the fruit palate. $19.99 balanced with time.\" $27plenty of length and one judge about this palate. Some savoury Cartel Padthawayrichness. $38 palate. $35 complexity. Excellent Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 Kalleske Zeitgeist Barristers Block potential. $24.50 A big tight wine with Barossa ValleyShingleback Davey Premium Wines Tempus Two quite savoury meaty/ Shiraz 2017 HHHEstate Reserve Single Vineyard The Copper Bonox-like elements. \"A huge baby.\" BrightMcLaren Vale Bully Wrattonbully Gundagai Shiraz Tannins still slightly sweet black fruitCabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2016 HHHHH 2016 HHHH1/2 aggressive. \"A polarising characters. \"Should still2015 HHH A dark brooding shiraz Rich sweet plum-like style.\" $14.99 be in the barrel,\" thoughtOld fashioned style with a delightful fruit characters on one judge. $26with mature fruit cake- raspberry fruit bouquet the nose with a good Greenock Estate VBBAEULSYUTSElike aromas and lovely and a lovely fleshy balance between the SA Shiraz Cabernet Pepperton Estatecomplex palate. $24.50 palate rich with spicy sweet fruit and the oak 2016 HHH1/2 Two Thumbs varietal fruit flavours and on the nicely textured Spicy blackberry fruit Langhorne CreekChateau Yaldara underscored by a great palate with a fine line of tends to dominate the Shiraz 2016 HHHReserve Barossa level of acidity. $38 tannins. $45 nose while the palate is An oak-driven style butValley Cabernet Trentham Estate full of rich primary fruit nice dark raspberrySauvignon Murray Darling flavours. Good tannins. fruit sitting behind.2015 HHH Shiraz 2016 HHHH $18 Time will balance itMature chocolaty/ Nose shows good lift out. $16.99toffee nose with hints of sweet rich fruit andof cherries and similar the palate is a nice Tamburlaine Winecharacters on the palate. balance between the Lovers Orange spicy licorice fruit and Shiraz 2016 HHH 3-5 $35 the oak. A well-made Subtle dark fruit wine. $16 fragrances and balancedSHIRAZ & Kalleske Greenock varietal fruit palate withBLENDS Barossa Valley slightly aggressive2017-2016 Shiraz 2016 HHHH tannins. $24 \"High end commercial20 TASTED style.\" A good wine with Wignalls Great14 AWARDED oak tending to dominate Southern Shiraz at the moment but the 2016 HHH\"We are starting to rich raspberry-like fruit A well-made, easysee winemaking faults pushes through. $40 drinking, style. Simplecreeping in again blackberry and plumthese past few years fruit with savoury/gameywhich is unacceptable hints. $29these days,\" noted onejudge about this class. SHIRAZ &Fortunately there were BLENDSalso some outstanding 2015 & OLDERwines showing how itshould be done! 20 TASTED 16 AWARDED Very consistent class; lots of quality. \"The wines that did best were those that were ageing slowly,\" said one judge. \"Others were ready for drinking now or in the next year or two.\" The best wines had both primary fruit characters along with complexity.120 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tastingRivers Lane Organic Earl Family Reserve Rosenvale Vineyards SWEET WHITEMcLaren Vale Shiraz McLaren Vale Shiraz Estate Barossa & FORTIFIED2015 HHHHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Shiraz 2013 HHH1/2A huge wine -still a Subtle spicy dark fruit A wine that's ageing 6 TASTEDbaby! Has an intense bouquet and nicely well and described 4 AWARDEDconcentration of dark textured palate with by one judge as, \"Theberry and black olive-like excellent sweet varietal sweet dark berries A mixed group offruit characters with very fruit flavours and a dash and spices in a holding \"sweeties\" tending tosubtle use of oak. Lovely of black pepper and the pattern\". $24 show medium to sweetpalate depth, texture and oak in a supportive role. McGuigan The rather than cloyinglybalance. $25 $39.99 Shortlist Barossa sweet characters and Chateau Yaldara Valley Shiraz there was one youthful,Eminence McLaren Reserve Barossa 2015 HHH raisiny sweet fortified.Vale Shiraz Valley Shiraz An interesting light,2015 HHHHH 2015 HHHH spicy and plain shiraz LWE Barossa ValleyA deeply intense brooding A big wine with nice oak with reserved dark Tawny NV HHH1/2wine that has a long life use - plenty of vanilla fruit showing a savoury A young fiery tawnyahead of it. Amazing dark and toasty characters- edge. $29 with dried prune andchocolate and blackberry but the fruit is pushing The Lindsay molasses aromas andaromas and flavours with through. A wine with Collection Sunup nutty richness to thea big menthol lift. Lovely lovely drinkability. $35 Barossa Valley lovely long sweet fruitfreshness and palate Brick Kiln Single Shiraz 2015 HHH palate. $50length. $55 Vineyard McLaren This is a soft, easy Vale Shiraz drinking, commercial 1847 Wines Lily's The Lindsay 2014 HHHH style shiraz that Barossa Valley Late Collection A classic Aussie shiraz is, \"rounded and Harvest Semillon The Sumit Barossa at a lovely stage of satisfying\". $30 2016 HHH1/2 Valley Shiraz development. It has a Brick Kiln The Grove Lifted honey sweet 2015 HHHH1/2 nose of blackberries and Single Vineyard citrus/caramel aromas A huge but beautifully vanilla and a beautifully McLaren Vale and a balanced sweet balanced shiraz with a balanced palate. $25 Shiraz 2015 HHH fruit palate. Not too chocolaty nose showing Beresford Classic Lovely medium bodied sweet and cloying. Just minty notes. Lovely McLaren Vale Shiraz style with savoury right! $20 balance, texture and 2015 HHH1/2 aromas and a \"scorched length to the palate with A big oak-driven shiraz earth and red berry Hoggies Estate flavours in the savoury but there is also plenty palate\". $60 Wines Australia spectrum. $40 of sweet raspberry McGuigan Farms Moscato 2017 HHH fruit characters lurking Barossa Valley A very well madeThe Lindsay underneath. $28.99 Shiraz 2014 HHH moscato with everythingCollection The An old school style that you would expectSelector Barossa dominated by the spicy from this particular style.Valley Shiraz oak with chocolaty $152015 HHHH1/2 elements and slightA very well made mintiness. $75 Collection Plaimontwine with excellent Barossa King Pacherenc-Du-Vic-balance between the Reserve Barossa Bilh Sweet Whitelovely dark fruit and the Valley Shiraz 2014 HHHwell-handled oak and 2013 HHH A restrained, non-showing nice savoury All oaky and developed botrytis style, withcomplexity and good with plenty of meaty/ plenty of attractivefruit sweetness. $20 Bonox-like savoury candied, tropical, elements. $39.99 sweetness. $36.40 Rosenvale Vineyards Block 1889 McLaren Old Vines Reserve Vale Soul Old Vines Barossa Valley McLaren Vale Shiraz Shiraz 2012 HHH 2014 HHHH1/2 A nice wine, probably at A massive, oak- its peak, with matured dominated, wine but dark fruit and olive there is also plenty complexity. $39 of slightly jammy red varietal fruit characters to handle it. Lovely black olive and tar-like complexity. $34.99 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 121

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20Mt Monster Limestone Gapsted Wines Valley Claire Creek SEA South Point Estate SEACoast Sauvignon Blanc Selection King Valley Sparkling Moscato NV Sparkling Chardonnay2017 Pinot Gris 2017 Floral fragrances with a Pinot Noir NV slight mineral edge. The Lemon tart-like aromasHints of grapefruit on the nose Nutty savoury nose and slightly palate is luscious and full and persistent citrus rindand a restrained dry and grassy/ rich, complex, palate. Has a of great flavours. $4.99 flavours on a complexlemon-like palate. $16.95 degree of lusciousness and and creamy palate. $5.99 shows plenty of potential. $18 Aldi Stores Phone: 02 9675 9382 Aldi StoresMorambro Creek Wines Gapsted Wines Web: www.aldi.com.au Phone: 02 9675 9382Phone: +61 08 8723 1065 Phone: +61 03 5751 1992 Web: www.aldi.com.auEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: www.morambrocreek.com.au Web: www.gapstedwines.com.auwww.mtmonster.com.auwww.jipjiprocks.com.auBEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND$U2N0DE&R Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. TO QUALIFY (NZ $25 & UNDER) 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

Veuve Olivier France & Veuve Monsigny Brut Totino Cartia Adelaide Bottega Vino Dei PoetiSpain Sparkling Brut NV Selection Champagne Hills Sparkling Cuvee NV DOC Italy Prosecco 2016\"Good bead, nice nutty Brut NV A complexity of honey Fresh and exotic style withdevelopment on the Nutty nose with hints of and nougat aromas with light and pretty lemonnose, persistent flavours, persimmon fruit. Great developed mouthcoating blossom bouquet and verysome obvious oak and mousse and autolysis on creamy flavours. $16.99 attractive jasmine/freesia-crisp acidity.\" $7.99 the fine toasty palate with like floral flavours. $19.99 more of the persimmon Festival City Wine & SpiritsAldi Stores characters evident. $19.99 Phone: +61 08 8349 1200 Festival City Wine & SpiritsPhone: 02 9675 9382 Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8349 1200Web: www.aldi.com.au Aldi Stores Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 9675 9382 Web: www.festivalcitywines.com.au Web: www.aldi.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 123

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20Gapsted Wines Tobacco Syn McLaren Vale Syn Rouge Coonawarra Gapsted Wines TobaccoRoad King Valley Cuvée Blanc NV Sparkling Shiraz NV Road King ValleyProsecco NV Rutherglen SangioveseA light bodied wine with subtle \"A big simple wine, quite \"Deep purple wine that has a Rosé 2017aromas and flavours and some sweet with pear and apple- lovely mix of blue fruits, spicy A subtle, fine boned andbottle age developing. $16 like aromas and flavours.\" $18 apples, plums, licorice and lively strawberries and cream some vanilla characters.\" $18 style with light confectioneryGapsted Wines Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/ characters with plenty ofPhone: +61 03 5751 1992 Richard Hamilton Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/ bright acidity to balance. $16Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8830 Richard HamiltonWeb: www.gapstedwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8830 Gapsted Wines Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 03 5751 1992 Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.gapstedwines.com.au JIRRA WINES AT SEEKING DISTRIBUTORS ACROSS AUSTRALIA Ask for wine samples now Marketing support available Support for wine events and dinners For sales enquiries call Bill Mason on 0417 036 436 or alternatively email [email protected] JIRRAWINES.COM.AU WINES WITH A SENSE OF HERITAGE FROM JEIR STATION124 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Tomich Duck & Weave Mt Monster Limestone Blickinstal Coonawarra Greenock Estate SAAdelaide Hills Pinot Noir Coast Cabernet 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Shiraz Cabernet 20162016 Big stylish wine showing Spicy blackberry fruit tends to Surprisingly approachable for seamless balance and structure dominate the nose while theA \"snappy, sinewy\" wine with a young wine. Nice harmony with the spicy berry fruit palate is full of rich primary fruitan earthy/beetroot bouquet between red berry richness characters nicely in check. flavours. Good tannins. $18and lovely long palate with and subtle oak. $16.95 Good drying finish. $13excellent varietal fruit flavour Greenock Estate Winesprofile, some nice tannins and Morambro Creek Wines Orchid Wine Estate Phone: 0403 683 067a lingering finish. 3-5 $18 Phone: +61 08 8723 1065 Phone: 08 8410 4635 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.gewines.comTomich Wines Web: www.morambrocreek.com.auPhone: +61 8 8299 7500 www.mtmonster.com.auEmail: [email protected] www.jipjiprocks.com.auWeb: www.tomichhill.com.authe wine & spiritA U S T R A L I A N & N E W Z E A L A N D Issue 156 | November/December 2017Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care isPeter Simic E-mail: [email protected] taken in compiling the contents of this publication, butManaging Editor Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] Bozsoki E-mail: [email protected] Designer WINESTATE is published six times a year by Winestate Publishing Pty Ltd.Naomi Fry E-mail: [email protected] WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD, Telephone (08) 8357 9277Marketing Manager 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212 Copyright 2017 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. E-mail [email protected] Jackson E-mail: [email protected] This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, Website www.winestate.com.auTasting Coordinator photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any E-mail: [email protected] The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 125

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