Winestate Magazine May June 2019

wine & spirit insider tasting SAUVIGNON Hay Shed Hill Pyramid Valley Giesen The Brothers Giesen Organic BLANC & Margaret River Marlborough Marlborough Marlborough BLENDS Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHH 21 TASTED 2018 HHHH Nose is a pungency of Smells of passionfruit Pungent herbaceous 20 AWARDED Lively lifted and nicely gooseberries, nettles and citrus with a bouquet with bright rich weighted style, smells and citrus with a tight round, ripe and mellow tropical fruit flavours on The best result for a of gooseberries and crisp green apple palate palate but has nice a well rounded palate. sauvignon blanc panel capsicum with similar that has lovely bright acid zestiness. Very $22.99 for a long time. “Clean characters on the crisp zesty acidity. $45 drinkable. $22.99 varietals with no faults acid palate. $22 Butler Crest Haselgrove Wines Saint & Scholar - what more can you Giesen Small Premium Margaret First Cut Adelaide Adelaide Hills want!” enthused one Batch Marlborough River Sauvignon Hills Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc judge. “Great to see Sauvignon Blanc Blanc 2017 HHHH Blanc 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHH consistency here with 2018 HHHH A subtlety of citrus, Subtle citrus/apple Lifted passionfruit seamless balance, A soft green apple capsicum and aromas with a pungent fragrances and a more flavour and less bouquet and good gooseberry aromas edge. Well structured pungent passionfruit sweetness than we saw length of refreshing and and nicely weighted, herbaceous/passionfruit palate with crisp in the past.” fleshy layers of citrus silky smooth, palate palate that has a crisp greenish notes. $24 fruit flavours with a crisp of lemons and end. $23 Giesen The August finish. $24.99 gooseberries. $13.30 Growers Gate South PINOT GRIS/ Marlborough Australia Sauvignon GRIGIO Sauvignon Blanc Villa Maria Platinum Saracen Estates Blanc 2018 HHH 2014 HHHH1/2 Selection Sur Margaret River Subtle grassy 12 TASTED A complex nose of Lie Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc herbaceousness on the 11 AWARDED citrus/lemon rind Sauvignon Blanc Semillon nose with tight green aromas with lovely 2018 HHHH 2017 HHHH bean flavours and nice Solid consistent class toasty development and Leafy green herbal A mix of tinned pea acid line. $15 of good drinkers with tropical nuances. Ripe, nose and bright zesty and asparagus-like Step by Step South the better examples fleshy and well rounded mouthful of snap pea aromas with a cool Australia Sauvignon showing a touch more palate. $32.99 and green bean-like textured grassy green Blanc 2018 HHH “definition”. “Some nice flavours supported by a palate and a slightly Delicate bouquet with textured wines here,” Giesen Estate nice line of acid. $24.99 tannic finish. $22 a citrus edge and soft, noted one judge. Marlborough fleshy and citrussy in the Sauvignon Blanc Karrawatta Anna’s Giesen Pure Light mouth. $15 Saint & Scholar 2018 HHHH Adelaide Hills Marlborough Glendale Limestone Adelaide Hills Pinot Zesty lemon sherbet Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Coast Sauvignon Gris 2018 HHHH1/2 bouquet with a nettle- 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 Blanc 2018 HHH A pale wine with a hint like lift and fine delicate Reserved savoury Great varietal pungency Ripe and pungent of blush. Delicate nose green fruit flavours with aromas with good length to the lifted nose with style with some with aromas of pears a lingering zippy acid of zesty lemon-like a nice drive of fleshy herbaceousness to the and apples. Soft, sweet finish. $16.99 flavours and nice varietal tropical fruit flavours nose and firm fleshy fruit and fleshy in the mouth pungency with a tight wrapped up with crisp flavours. $19.99 tasting of candied acid finish. $26 acidity. $16.99 Loveblock Organic apples with hints of Marlborough strawberries. $24 Sidewood Estate Patrick of Sauvignon Blanc Mappinga Adelaide Coonawarra 2018 HHH Sidewood Estate Hills Fumé Blanc P-Series by Patrick Aromas in the leafy Adelaide Hills Pinot 2018 HHHH Limestone Coast green spectrum with a Gris 2018 HHHH A restrained style but Sauvignon Blanc sweet edged passionfruit A subtle textured, straw shows some interesting 2018 HHH1/2 palate and fresh finish. coloured wine with characters with its Nose has subtle $21.99 NZ layers of varietal fruit on buttery biscuity bouquet toastiness with the nose and long, crisp and lemon curd/fine oak underlying citrus notes and pleasant pear and flavours. $35 and sweet passionfruit apple flavours. $20 flavours on the long textured palate. $19 JUDGES - DAY 1 & 2 Peter Kennedy Michael Marcus Winemaker for Ekhidna Winemaker for Majella Steve Warrick Wines. Formerly with Wines. Associate judge Wine marketer with Foggo Wines and Brothers at the Limestone Coast 20 years experience in Arms wineries; following wine show. Previously in McLaren Vale, ten years in liquor retail. winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra, Adelaide Has vintaged in St. Emilion winery, and Lindemans Hills and Margaret and judged in Perth and Karadoc, then Katnook River. Extensive wine regional wine shows. winery. judging experience at the Adelaide, Hobart and McLaren Vale wine shows. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 101

NEW RELEASES Haselgrove Wines Sirromet Wines Sidewood Adelaide Jb Wines Single CHARDONNAY First Cut Adelaide Bald Rock Creek Hills Pinot Blanc Vineyard Barossa & BLENDS Hills Pinot Grigio Amphorae Granite 2018 HHHH Valley Pinot Blanc 2018 HHHH Belt Pinot Gris An elegant wine more 2018 HHH1/2 30 TASTED The nose is fruity 2017 HHH in the savoury spectrum Elegant lifted floral 29 AWARDED and sherbety with a Lovely burnished orange showing subtle citrus fruit nose and a fleshy A seriously solid class delicate perfumed note. hues with a spicy notes on the nose and sweet citrus palate here! “So many good Palate shows lovely stonefruit nose and a a lovely seamlessly with floral nuances and drinking wines,” said elegance and attractive savoury palate. $36 balanced palate. $22 showing a slight oily one judge. “The older savouriness. $23 All Saints Estate texture. $20 styles held up well with Villa Maria Platinum Red Hill Estate Single Vineyard Misty Glen Wines balance of restrained Selection Sur Lie Merricks Grove Rutherglen Hunter Valley fruit and oak allowing Marlborough Pinot Mornington Marsanne Semillon them to age well.” Gris 2018 HHHH Peninsula Pinot Gris 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH1/2 Wignalls Premium A lift of musky pear 2017 HHH Buttery toasty bouquet Slightly reserved lemon/ Albany Chardonnay aromas with a sweet, Toasted savoury bouquet with a citrus edge and citrus aromas but 2017 HHHHH slippery, almost with more savoury elegantly weighted intense zesty citrus A nicely rounded toasty buttery, textured palate characters on the richly palate that has excellent flavours with a slight wine; very viscous and brimming over with ripe textured palate. $39 flavour persistence and smoky-like element. $35 juicy with soft lifted malo/ pear and lychee flavours. lovely texture. $26 Pyramid Valley oak aromas and a fleshy $24.99 OTHER WHITE Scion Blonde Dry Orange Aromatic buttery palate with grainy Botter Delle Venezie BLENDS & Rutherglen White North Canterbury oak and a crisp citrussy DOC Veneto Pinot VARIETALS Muscat 2018 HHHH White Blend acid line. $35 Grigio 2018 HHH1/2 Nose has fragrant 2018 HHH1/2 Peach-like characters to 14 TASTED musky aromatics leading Smells of sweet Smith & Sheth CRU the bright lifted nose and 14 AWARDED to a dry, nicely textured, marmalade with hints of Heretaunga Hawke’s a fine tight palate with palate that’s full of fruit nutmeg-like spiciness. Bay Chardonnay subtle fruit flavours. Very What this flight lacks flavours with crisp acid Slightly grippy medium 2017 HHHHH drinkable! $16.99 in numbers it makes finish. $26 bodied palate with spicy Flinty fragrances with Karrawatta Sophies up for in diversity. “It Smith & Sheth CRU fruit. $35 faint toasty/biscuity Hill Adelaide Hills is interesting to see Heretaunga Hawke’s Mitchelton Central notes and peach Pinot Grigio some of these varietals Bay Albarino Victoria Marsanne ripeness. Fleshy in 2018 HHH1/2 coming from warm 2018 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 the mouth; palate has Delicate fresh fruit climates whereas before Subtle spiciness to the Light melon aromas fabulous length and fragrances with inviting they might have gone savoury nose. Fleshy with some toasty delicate nuttiness with pungency. Sweet, soft into sweet whites or sweet edged palate development and firm savouriness in the and smooth in the fortifieds. Great to see has tasty savoury mouthful of toasty background. $40 mouth. $26 experimentation done components and lovely oak and fresh citrus Growers Gate well.” line of crisp acid. $28 flavours. $25 South Australia Sirromet Wines Bald Berton Vineyards Pinot Grigio d’Arenberg The Rock Creek Granite Winemakers Reserve 2018 HHH Money Spider Belt Verdelho Riverina Aranel Faint copper hues, fresh Organic McLaren 2018 HHHH 2018 HHH sweet pear nose and Vale Roussanne Delicate rose petal Light and elegant wine soft sweet pear fruit 2018 HHHH bouquet mixed with with fleshy tropical fruit palate. $15 Reserved nose with a spices and green notes. characters and some Step by Step subtle citrus bouquet Rich honeyed/spicy fruit fresh citrus notes. $14 South Australia and silky smooth, tasty, palate with a long fleshy Mitchelton Airstrip Pinot Grigio honeysuckle palate that finish. $36 Central Victoria 2018 HHH has a fresh lime-like All Saints Estate Marsanne Rousanne Nicely textured and finish. $20 Family Cellar Single Viognier 2017 HHH savoury style with a nice Vineyard Rutherglen Dried apricot nose with balance of varietal fruit Loveblock Marsanne a honeyed edge and a and fresh acidity. $15 Marlborough 2017 HHHH pretty, elegant, floral/ Giesen Pure Light Gewurztraminer A gleaming yellow gold citrus palate. $28 Marlborough 2018 HHHH wine that has a big Pinot Gris 2018 HHH Lifted rose petal impact of toasty orchard Tight crisp nose and a aromatics with a faint fruit characters. Hints of steely fresh apple palate muskiness. Sweet fleshy honeyed sweetness and with prickly acidity. tropical fruit palate vanilla notes. $38 $16.99 with sweetness held in balance by phenolics. $21.99 NZ 102 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Ara Single Estate Butler Crest Mitchelton Central Sirromet Wines Hay Shed Hill Marlborough Premium Margaret Victoria Chardonnay Signature Collection Margaret River Chardonnay River Chardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 Granite Belt Chardonnay 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHHH Reserved toasty/yeasty Chardonnay 2017 HHH Savoury oak driven Stylish, well structured, bouquet with a hint of 2015 HHH1/2 Syrupy tinned peach-like nose with hints of crisp chardonnay with melon. Nice up-front Toasty smoky oak nose fragrances with bright apples edged with restrained power and tropical fruit flavours with with honeyed fruit rich fruit flavours, subtle peaches. Soft in the delivery of savoury fruit, a textured finish. $25 underneath and silky oak and tight acid. $28 mouth with a seamless supporting oak and zippy Brangayne Of smooth peachy palate balance of tropical fruits, fresh acidity. $30 Orange Isolde that finishes creamy. $36 Aravina Estate stonefruits and good use Derwent Estate Reserve Orange Growers Gate Wildwood Ridge of oak. $19.99 Tasmania Chardonnay South Australia Reserve Margaret Sidewood Estate Chardonnay 2017 HHH1/2 Chardonnay River Chardonnay Mappinga Adelaide 2016 HHHH An elegantly structured 2018 HHH 2016 HHH Hills Chardonnay Subtle confectionery wine with a restrained Reserved green apple Ripe golden wine with 2017 HHHH1/2 fruit nose and fresh ripe range of tropical fruit bouquet with fresh a buttery marmalade Pale golden wine with apple flavours, sweet characters. Good apple flavours on a tight bouquet and a drying lovely concentration of notes with pineapple balance between acid crisp palate. $15 palate in the savoury toasty oak and yeast crispness and gentle oak and oak. $30 Step by Step spectrum. $60 aromas with hints of structure. $40 South Australia fruit. Lovely depth to Devlin’s Mount Simon Tolley Chardonnay Pyramid Valley the fruit driven palate South Australia Single Vineyard 2018 HHH Lion’s Tooth with oak in a support Chardonnay Adelaide Hills A basic straightforward North Canterbury role. $35 2018 HHH1/2 Chardonnay style with lifted lime Chardonnay Pyramid Valley Ripe peachy bouquet 2017 HHH1/2 aromas and bright 2016 HHH Marlborough and a soft smooth palate Pale golden elegance stonefruit flavours. $15 Nicely balanced oak/fruit Chardonnay that’s brimming over here with a gentle light d’Arenberg nose with the tropical 2017 HHHH1/2 with delicious varietal apple/peach bouquet The Olive Grove fruit palate offering a big Glowing golden hues fruit freshness. $18 and a very flavoursome McLaren Vale mouthful of flavours. and ripe stonefruit nose Camyr Allyn Wines fruit driven palate. $35 Adelaide Hills $150 with a toasty oak edge. Adelaide Hills Pyramid Valley Chardonnay The intense zesty fruit Chardonnay Field of Fire 2018 HHH ROSÉ palate gives way to 2018 HHH1/2 North Canterbury Ripe, fleshy and subtle oak and follows Bitter melon aromas with Chardonnay uncomplicated with a 8 TASTED on to a tight crisp acid a suggestion of oakiness. 2016 HHH1/2 toasty stonefruit nose 6 AWARDED finish. $40 Bright fresh tropical fruit Ageing fruit nose with and crisp green fruit K1 by Geoff Hardy palate with lovely acid confectionery notes flavours. $16 There were some Adelaide Hills crispness. $28 developing. Palate has Brangayne Of excellent wines on show Chardonnay d’Arenberg The powerful marmalade Orange Orange here as well as some 2018 HHHH Lucky Lizard fruit laced with lots of Chardonnay borderline ones and Savoury oak aromas Adelaide Hills oak. $150 2018 HHH then those that were with some attractive Chardonnay A nose of soft yeasty in between. “There is oak flavours and malo 2018 HHH1/2 melon fruit which is nowhere to hide with complexity mixing with Nicely weighted wine echoed on the richly rosé and balance is so the ripe tropical fruit with peach and melon flavoured, textured important,” noted one characters. $35 fruit aromas and flavours palate. $22 judge. Millon Wines The all wrapped up in some Haselgrove Wines Royal Eden Valley great crisp acidity. $30 Staff Adelaide Hills Mitchelton Preece Chardonnay Arlequin Barossa Chardonnay Nagambie Grenache 2018 HHHH Valley Chardonnay 2018 HHH Rosé 2018 HHHH1/2 An easy drinking, 2017 HHH1/2 Soft subtle oaky aromas Fragrant rose petal old school style of Subtle toasty nose and a creamy textured bouquet with toffee-like chardonnay with its with hints of apples palate starting to show notes and an elegant ripe fleshy tropical fruit, and citrus. Mouthfilling nice bottle age. $30 and refreshing palate supporting oak and nice apple-like flavours with Sidewood Estate with a delicacy of red malo elements. $42 some citrus giving Adelaide Hills fruit and toffee apple Villa Maria Platinum freshness. $16 Chardonnay flavours finishing with Selection Sur Mitchelton 2017 HHH crisp acidity. $22 Lie Hawke’s Bay Preece Nagambie Hints of melons and Chardonnay Chardonnay peaches on the nose and Barristers Block 2017 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 a savoury palate with a Poetic Justice A big broad tropical fruit Savoury nose with a toasty oak finish. $22 Charlize Adelaide nose with a slight grassy tropical fruit lift. Fleshy in Hills Rosé lift. The lovely stonefruit the mouth and showing 2018 HHHH palate shows very good good length of biscuity/ A clean, perfectly use of oak to balance. fruit flavours. Good balanced, drier style $24.99 acidity. $22 with subtle red fruit nose and more of the red fruits echoed on the long softly textured palate. $25 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 103

NEW RELEASES Mr Riggs Leabrook Estate Haselgrove Wines Smith & Sheth CRU Artwine Hola Clare Mr. Brightside Old Vine Alternative Series Cantera Hawke’s Valley Tempranillo McLaren Vale Barossa Valley McLaren Vale Bay Red Blend Graciano Grenache Rosé Cabernet Franc Montepulciano 2016 HHHH 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 2018 HHHH1/2 2018 HHHH A delightful fragrant Dark tarry fruit mixes Fresh strawberry aromas Nose is a fragrant Young and vibrant wine style of wine that is with cigar-like oak and a soft, seamlessly concentration of leafy with a ripe concentration sitting in the cool pine characters and is layered balanced, red cherry dark berries and oak of ripe plum and red needle/forest floor fruit with long lingering zingy palate that is brimming with vibrantly fresh berry fruits showing a spectrum with lovely zesty acidity. $30 over with life! $20 cassis/blackcurrant fruit savoury edge and classic savoury tannins. $60 flavours laced with fine earthy tannins. $26 d’Arenberg The Mr Riggs Villa Maria Platinum supple tannins. A very Hand Crafted Sticks & Stones Mr. Brightside Selection Organic well made wine. $35 by Geoff Hardy McLaren Vale Red Eurotrash Marlborough Pinot Zonte’s Footstep McLaren Vale Nero Blend 2015 HHHH Adelaide Red Blend Noir Rosé Violet Beauregard D’Avola 2018 HHHH Developing cedary 2016 HHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 Langhorne Creek Savoury dark fruit oak and earthy aromas Powerful developing Candied red fruit Malbec aromas with subtle with a minty lift and an chocolaty/leather nose nose with lovely long 2017 HHHH1/2 black olive notes. A ageing linear palate but and good depth of lingering bright red fruit Perfumed dark berry fleshy palate full of still shows plenty of red red and black currant flavours showing a slight bouquet with a thread of black berry and red berry freshness. $29 flavours with nice tannic greenish edge. $24.99 menthol-like characters. currant flavours with dry All Saints Estate finish. $20 Beautifully fragrant fruit tannic finish. $30 Family Cellar Single Giesen Marlborough flavours supported by Schwarz Wine Co Vineyard Rutherglen Haselgrove Wines Pinot Noir Rosé firm prickly tannins. A Meta Barossa Valley Durif 2015 HHHH Alternative Series 2017 HHH1/2 classic Malbec! $27.50 Mataro 2018 HHHH A lovely wine - great McLaren Vale Complex yeasty Spicy fruit nose with a drinkability with Sangiovese aromas with hints of hint of green and a dash excellent persistence 2018 HHH red fruit. Silky smooth, of pepper. Palate has of fresh spicy plum Savoury aromas with a complex, palate that’s lovely length and texture and cassis fruit carried spicy peppery lift and bright with rich fruit with delicious spicy red by subtle oak and fine grippy palate sitting flavours. $16.99 berry flavours. $35 tannins. $75 in the meaty/savoury Hofer Family Wines Botter Rubicone spectrum. $26 Growers Gate Langhorne Creek IGT Emilia Romagna South Australia Lagrein 2017 HHHH Sangiovese Hand Crafted Rosé 2018 HHH Inky earthy berry 2018 HHH1/2 by Geoff Hardy Fragrant rose petal bouquet and crunchy Spicy meaty nose with Adelaide Hills bouquet and refreshing fresh red apple/berry just a hint of red fruits Durif 2017 HHH palate with a delicacy fruit flavours on a which follows through Earthy dusty ripe plum of sweet raspberry medium bodied palate onto a palate with good bouquet with dried fruit- flavours. $15 with a drying tannic length of fine tannins.. like flavours and nice finish. $25 $18.99 ripe tannins. $30 OTHER RED d’Arenberg The Taylors Clare Valley VARIETALS & Twenty Eight Road McLaren Vale All Saints Estate BLENDS McLaren Vale Tempranillo Single Vineyard Mourvedre 2018 HHH1/2 Rutherglen Durif 21 TASTED 2017 HHHH Sweet cedar and 2016 HHH 19 AWARDED Bright crimson wine peppery plum bouquet Dark and inky fruit cake loaded with dark inky with a nicely balanced aromas and mouthfilling A strong class of fruit and brilliantly fruit cake of a palate flavours with long grippy genuine alternative balanced with savoury showing a thread of tannins. $32 varietal wines. “Great to dry meat characters and spices. $19 see winemakers getting firm drying tannins. $29 Hand Crafted MERLOT a handle on these Sussex Squire by Geoff Hardy brighter fruity styles,” The Sly Fox Adelaide Hills 5 TASTED said one judge. “These Clare Valley Tempranillo 5 AWARDED are Friday night footy Sangiovese 2018 HHH1/2 wines!” But some are 2017 HHHH Spicy dark fruits lift off A small but strong more serious and can Earthy red fruit the nose and fill the firm group with winemakers be cellared for future fragrances and a bright palate with well rounded coming to the fore enjoyment. berry fruit palate with flavours and a grippy agreed the panel. savoury notes and tannic finish. $30 showing a nice tannin presence. Needs food! $35 104 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting GRENACHE & Stage Door Richard Hamilton McLaren Vale III BLENDS Three Piece Colton’s McLaren Associates Four Barossa Valley Vale Grenache Score Single 17 TASTED G.S.M. 2018 HHHH Shiraz Mourvedre Vineyard McLaren 17 AWARDED Lovely nose - smells of 2017 HHHH Vale Grenache brambles. Deep intense A delicate tincture of 2017 HHH1/2 Excellent line up of creamy raspberry fruit plums on the nose with Spicy savoury bouquet wines with the warmer lingers across the palate rich and spicy plum with just a hint of regions suiting the and shows a savoury flavours, peppery notes, red fruits. The softly variety. “The renaissance edge. $25 pencil-like oak and a structured palate is continues with varietal Richard Hamilton crisp acid finish. $22 rich with darker fruit fruit expression shining Burton’s Old Bush Kaesler Stonehorse flavours. $65 through here,” said one Vineyard McLaren Barossa Valley judge. “Bright, fresh and Vale Grenache G.S.M. 2017 HHHH Artwine Grumpy flavoursome is the key!” 2018 HHHH Reserved savoury Old Man Clare Valley Excellent expression of nose with a dash of Grenache 2018 HHH bright raspberry fruit- spice and a dark fruited Green brambly nose and like characters on both palate that’s fleshy lifted sweet red currant- the nose and palate and ripe. “Has plenty like flavours that carry with a long fine tannin of character,” said one across the palate. $35 finish. $30 judge. $25 d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Kristalana Wines Majella Coonawarra Gumpara Wines Original McLaren Limited Release Merlot Picnic Block Vale Grenache South Australia 2017 HHHH1/2 Old Vine Shiraz 2016 HHHH Barmera Grenache Beautifully fragrant nose Barossa Valley Reserved dark 2017 HHH with a lovely perfumed Grenache medicinal-like aromas The wine is a lift and a luscious palate 2018 HHHH and a palate with an flavoursome melange full of rich ripe fruit Ripe rhubarb aromas attractive complexity of of plums, rhubarb, deli cake-like flavours dashed with green notes and plum fruit, spices, oak meats, spices and soft with smoky peppery a peppery touch. Fresh and firm drying tannins. tannins. $20 characters. $30 toffee apple-like flavours $20 Arlequin Barossa with hints of green Pertaringa PINOT NOIR & Valley Merlot pepper. $32 Two Gentlemen’s BLENDS 2017 HHHH McLaren Vale A nose of toasty oak Schwarz Wine Co Purple Hands Wines Grenache Shiraz 27 TASTED and ripe red fruits with Thiele Road Barossa After Five Wine Mourvedre 19 AWARDED very good depth of fruit Valley Grenache Co. Barossa Valley 2018 HHH1/2 flavours with tannin 2017 HHHH1/2 Grenache Lifted raspberry “The best wines here dryness and nice use of This wine is a lovely 2018 HHHH fragrances with a nice showed good varietal quality oak. $18 blend of savoury meaty Peppery plum fruit nose spicy element and characters which is Brangayne Of characters, plum fruit and elegantly structured plush fleshy palate of important with this Orange Orange and green pepper palate bright with red sweet red fruits and fine mid-weight variety,” Merlot 2017 HHHH aromas and flavours. fruits; hints of pepper, tannins. $22 noted one judge. “But Bright elevated menthol Nice lifted aromas and a subtle oak and tannic Arakoon Vale CRU there were too many aromas and a slippery silky smooth palate with finish. $45 Full Bodied Red disjointed examples with smooth palate soft with quite a hot finish. $45 Arlequin Barossa McLaren Vale G.S.M. unbalanced alcohol.” peppery plum flavours d’Arenberg Valley G.S.M. 2017 HHH1/2 Generally the older and layered with tight The Derelict 2017 HHHH Dark brambly berry nose wines did not perform grainy tannins. $35 Vineyard McLaren Wild gamey style with and a savoury plum as well. Sirromet Wines Vale Grenache spicy earthy bouquet palate that has a dash of Signature Collection 2016 HHHH1/2 and flavoursome layers spice and some nice oak Granite Belt Merlot Ageing nicely; has of plum fruit, savoury tannins. $20 2016 HHH1/2 aromas of dark fruits, meats and spices with Millon Wines A nicely maturing spices and slatey an oaky finish. $18 The Royal earthy nose and elements. Very high Millon Wines Barossa Valley plenty of powerful astringency to the spicy Clare’s Secret G.S.M. 2017 HHH1/2 mouthfilling ripe plum red fruit palate with Clare Valley A lovely easy drinking flavours with huge drying grainy tannins on Grenache style that has stewy luscious tannins. $36 the finish. $29 2017 HHHH red fruit aromas and Giesen Estate Nose of fresh lifted full-on fruit on a slippery Hawke’s Bay Merlot sweet plums. Sweet, viscous palate. $45 2018 HHH juicy and uncomplicated Lifted aromas of palate of candied red raspberry and toffee fruits with layers of apples with firm slippery tannins. $18 powerful woody/ fruit palate and grippy tannins. $16.99 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 105

NEW RELEASES Simon Tolley Single K1 by Geoff Hardy Bream Creek Singlefile Run Free Hay Shed Hill Vineyard Hand Adelaide Hills Pinot Reserve Tasmania Western Australia Margaret River Picked Adelaide Noir 2018 HHHH Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Cabernet Merlot Hills Pinot Noir An easy drinking pinot 2016 HHHH 2018 HHH 2017 HHHH 2018 HHHH that has length and Subtle brambly berry Nose of red cherries A fragrance of pine Confectionery berry structure with light jubey bouquet with leathery and spices with a rich needle and leafy berry nose with a musky/ fruit aromas and sweet meaty notes and nicely complex fruit cake of a aromas. Lovely palate earthy edge. Nice palate bright raspberry/plum weighted deep dark palate laced with fine weight and texture weight and viscosity. flavours. $45 cherry/meaty flavours tannins. $25 with capsicum/plum Luscious berry flavours Derwent Estate with fine tannin line. $65 flavours and firm smooth and fresh acidity. $35 Lime Kiln Point Saint & Scholar Taylor Made tannins. $22 Singlefile Single Tasmania Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills Adelaide Hills Pauletts Polish Hill Vineyard Pemberton 2017 HHHH Pinot Shiraz Pinot Noir River Clare Valley Pinot Noir Bright red wine with 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 HHHH some sweet/sour An attractive complexity Stalky berry nose and Merlot 2016 HHHH Dark red, savoury gamey complexity of varietal of briary fruit, dusty oak, lightweight red berry/ Spicy/toasty oak driven style of pinot layered fruit characters with a hints of cherry liqueur cherry palate with some nose with a minty with fragrant wild cherry- textured, leathery, tannin and interesting leathery grip from the tannins. $25 blackcurrant lift and a like fruit characters, balance. $30 nuances. $24 spicy fruit cake palate toasty/smoky oak and Bream Creek Villa Maria Platinum Singlefile Small with cedary oak and ripe tannins. $35 Tasmania Pinot Noir Selection Organic Batch Project tannin support. $25 CD 2017 HHHH Marlborough Pinot Denmark Pinot Noir Saracen Estates Smoky maturation Noir 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHH Margaret River developing on the Reserved stalky berry Subdued fruit aromas Cabernet Merlot leathery red fruit nose bouquet with a soft and and oak driven palate 2016 HHHH with a savoury palate, elegant palate of juicy with ripe fruit flavours Firm powerful oak fresh acidity and lovely sweet fruit with savoury sitting underneath. $59 obvious here and length of tannins. $42 tannins in support. supported by cassis/ $29.99 Saint & Scholar blackcurrant fruit. Has Pyramid Valley Derwent Estate Adelaide Hills balance and complexity Central Otago Tasmania Pinot Noir Pinot Noir with fine dry tannins. $26 Pinot Noir 2016 HHH1/2 2017 HHH Sirromet Wines 2017 HHHH A dark red fruit/cherry Stalky wild cherry Private Collection Nose is an interesting bomb! Has subtle spicy/ bouquet with menthol Assemblage aromatic mix of cola, toasty complexity, good notes and a sweet Granite Belt camphor and blue fruits oak use and a slight edged red berry driven Cabernet Blend with good complexity sweet/sour finish. $40 palate. $24 2014 HHHH of meaty/berry flavours. Ara Single Estate A nicely maturing earthy Good acidity. $45 Marlborough Pinot Peregrine Central dry red style that is a Noir 2018 HHH Otago Pinot Noir complexity of drying A lovely refreshing style 2017 HHH cedary oak, leafy cassis with fresh musky red Muted dark cherry/ fruit and fine grained cherry fruit and powdery berry nose and tannins. $128 tannins. $19.99 nicely weighted, well Giesen Estate structured, cherry fruit Marlborough Pinot and oak palate. $27 NZ Noir 2018 HHH Smoky lift to the Wignalls Single raspberry/cherry aromas Vineyard Albany with sweet plum fruit Pinot Noir across the length of the 2017 HHH palate. $22.99 More of straightforward Akarua Rua Central dry red style with Otago Pinot Noir lifted spicy berry fruit 2018 HHH characters and crisp Raspberry jam nose and acidity. $35 warm sweet spicy berry flavours with a crisp acid CABERNET finish. $25 BLENDS 10 TASTED 9 AWARDED Wines here showing good depth and richness of flavour with predominantly cabernet varietal characters well blended with other varieties. 106 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting The Malleea by Barristers Block Claymore Wines Sirromet Wines Yarrawood Tall Tales Majella Coonawarra Poetic Justice Black Magic Woman Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Shiraz Wrattonbully Reserve Clare Valley Granite Belt 2017 HHH1/2 2014 HHHH Cabernet Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon Blackcurrant nose with Beautifully ageing Tempranillo 2016 HHHH1/2 2016 HHHH lifted florals and tarry complex wine with a 2017 HHH A deep dark brooding Varietally expressive notes. Nicely weighted superb balance between Minty berry bouquet fruit bouquet and a aromas of leafy red/blackcurrant palate dark leafy cassis fruit, with classic upfront rich ripe palate layered blackcurrant fruit with with fine tannins. $30 cedary oak and fine cabernet flavours and with blackcurrant fruit, tar-like notes and Purple Hands grained tannins. $80 nice oak in support. $30 chocolaty oak and crunchy fresh fruit Wines Planta Circa Leconfield leathery age with supple flavours with fine tannin Ancestor Vine Coonawarra CABERNET tannins and soft on the structure. $36 Barossa Valley Cabernet Merlot SAUVIGNON finish. $50 Wood Block Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH1/2 Haselgrove Wines A66 Coonawarra 2017 HHH1/2 Earthy fleshy berry 29 TASTED Protector McLaren Cabernet Sauvignon Oaky nose with subtle fruit bouquet with an 26 AWARDED Vale Cabernet 2015 HHHH dark berry fragrances uncomplicated plush Sauvignon A complex and beautifully and fresh ripe sweet plum palate supported A very consistent group 2017 HHHH maturing wine with lovely fruit flavours on the by zippy acid and fine of quality cabernets. Herbaceous characters leafy capsicum-like fruit, palate with a perfumed tannins. $26 “Some were more to the nose with hints of complexing oak and some lift. $70 Kimbarra Wines savoury whilst others juniper berries. Rich ripe powerful tannins. $75 d’Arenberg The High Grampians Cabernet more fruit driven but palate with great varietal Taylors Reserve Trellis McLaren Vale Sauvignon Shiraz across the board we fruit expression, length Parcel Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 HHH1/2 saw many balanced, and depth. $40 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 HHH1/2 Dense leafy cassis well structured, wines,” Brand & Sons 2017 HHH1/2 Lovely blackcurrant aromas with tarry hints said one judge. Baker’s Run Inky minty nose and nose with hints of and some olive notes. Coonawarra nicely concentrated dusty oak and a firm The bright berry palate Aravina Estate Cabernet Sauvignon palate of mulberries full flavoursome palate is supported by subtle Wildwood Ridge 2016 HHHH and blackcurrants with with mouth puckering oak. $29 Reserve Margaret Nice concentration good use of oak. “Lovely tannins. $20 Taylor Made River Cabernet of leafy blackcurrant drinking.” $25 Step by Step Clare Valley Sauvignon aromas and a complexity Vinrock McLaren South Australia Cabernet Merlot 2016 HHHHH of cassis fruit/cedary oak Vale Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Cabernet “A warm and comforting flavours with hints of Sauvignon 2017 HHH Franc 2017 HHH wine”, said one judge olives. $25 2017 HHH1/2 Dark leafy fruit aromas Leafy blackcurrant aromas that shows a lovely Hay Shed Hill Earthy/olive leaf aromas with supple cassis/ and well structured black cabernet structure and Margaret River and a syrupy palate full blackcurrant flavours fruit palate with oaky expression. Complex Cabernet Sauvignon of powerful cassis fruit and “slippery” tannins. notes. $25 dark fruit/oak aromas 2016 HHHH flavours with supple $15 with powerful dark fruit An inky rich cassis tannins. $25 flavours and supporting nose with attractive Sussex Squire oak. $60 flavours of ripe leafy Samuel Block Clare minty fruit nicely Valley Cabernet Patrick of supported by the acid, Sauvignon Coonawarra Estate oak and tannins. $28 2017 HHH1/2 Coonawarra Brangayne Of Fresh and slightly Cabernet Sauvignon Orange Orange reserved red fruit 2014 HHHHH Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet with a fleshy A dark, complex and 2016 HHHH sweet blackcurrant layered cabernet that’s Lovely cabernet varietal palate and powerful maturing beautifully with expression here with its vanillin oak. $35 rich fruit cake varietal dusty dark small berry Momentum Chapter fruit characters, good fruit characters. Good Two McLaren Vale use of chocolaty oak and use of oak and grainy Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully integrated tannins. $35 2016 HHH1/2 tannins. $29 Butler Crest Nose is an aromatic Premium Margaret mix of spicy oak, Patrick of River Cabernet blackcurrant and forest Coonawarra Home Sauvignon floor nuances with up- Block Coonawarra 2016 HHHH front sweet fruit on the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserved minty palate. $25 2013 HHHHH blackcurrant nose. An elegantly structured Soft and juicy in the wine that is offering mouth with ripe fruit great drinking now flavours and complexity or over the next 10 from oak/tannin years! Shows great combination. $35 concentration of dark berry characters with layers of powdery tannins. $45 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 107

NEW RELEASES Millon Wines SHIRAZ Growers Gate Haselgrove Wines Mr Riggs Piebald Clare’s Secret 2018/2017 South Australia Col Cross McLaren Adelaide Hills Syrah Clare Valley UNDER $25 Shiraz 2018 HHH Vale Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon Youthful, lifted, bright 2017 HHHH1/2 Interesting nose - 2017 HHH 14 TASTED and crunchy cherry-like Dark berry bouquet with smells of black plums Fresh youthful wine with 11 AWARDED aromas and flavours subtle toasty oak and and cold meats with a lovely leafy capsicum/ with nice powdery a peppery lift. Nicely well balanced savoury cassis varietal fruit There were a number of tannins. $15 textured palate with based palate and fine characters and fine soft youthful, simple shiraz a subtle balance of tannins. $30 tannins. $18 here but also those Bird’s Eye View dusty oak, mulberry-like Yarrawood Tall Tales Mitchelton Preece showing good flavour McLaren Vale fruit and fine grained Yarra Valley Shiraz Great Western and complexity for this Shiraz 2017 HHH tannins. $90 2017 HHH1/2 Cabernet Sauvignon price bracket. A juicy plum fruit style Haselgrove Wines A peppery plum nose 2017 HHH with hints of pepper, The Cruth McLaren with spicy earthy oak Leafy briary-like aromas Bellevue Estate some grainy tannins Vale Shiraz underneath and a nicely and a palate with McLaren Vale Shiraz and a long acid finish. 2017 HHHH1/2 structured juicy spicy powerful savoury fruit 2017 HHHH $16 Brilliant dark plum fruit varietal fruit palate. $30 flavours and dusty Ripe, flavoursome, aromas with hints of Kaesler Stonehorse cedary oak. $22 mouthfilling style with Mr Riggs splintery oak. Lovely Barossa Valley Claymore Wines an oak driven nose and Old Ridge creamy texture to the Shiraz 2017 HHH Bittersweet fresh vibrant plum fruit McLaren Vale palate full of plum Bright purple wine with Symphony Clare flavours with peppery Shiraz 2017 HHH flavours, very spicy spicy peppery fruit nose Valley Cabernet notes and fine tannins. Smells like plum sauce oak and a good tannin and sweet plum flavours Sauvignon $19.99 with a fleshy jam fruit presence. $150 laced with tannins. $25 2017 HHH palate loaded with pepper Aravina Estate Magnificat Dusty minty fruit Arakoon Sellicks and spice. $17 Single Vineyard McLaren Vale fragrances with Beach McLaren Vale Margaret River Shiraz 2017 HHH raspberry/mulberry Shiraz 2017 HHHH GMH South Shiraz 2017 HHHH Aromas of creamy richness to the viscous A mulberry bouquet Australia Shiraz A fresh pretty mulberry raspberry and sour palate. $25 with violet notes and 2017 HHH bouquet and lots of cherries with slightly Barristers Block a peppery edge and a Gentle raspberry fruit light Satsuma plum like spicy green fruit Wrattonbully fleshy, flavoursome, aromas with an elegant flavours on the medium flavours. $25 Cabernet Sauvignon creamy palate with great palate that is soft with bodied palate with a tight Mr Riggs The Gaffer 2017 HHH texture and length. $22 varietal fruit. $20 line of crisp acid. $35 McLaren Vale Shiraz Cool climate small berry Mr Riggs Idle Lane 2017 HHH bouquet and pretty Mitchelton Preece Mr Riggs McLaren Vale Soft medium bodied floral fruit palate. Easy Heathcote Shiraz The Delinquent Shiraz 2017 HHHH style with spicy savoury drinking style. $40 2017 HHHH McLaren Vale Intense spicy plum fruit, peppery nuances Glendale Limestone Savoury meaty nose Shiraz 2017 HHH fruit nose with nice and grainy tannins. $25 Coast Cabernet with an edge of dark Smoky sausage oaky notes and supple Taylor Made Sauvignon fruits. The palate is meat-like dry savoury savoury/peppery flavours Clare Valley 2016 HHH supple and generous aromas and flavours layered with spicy oak Shiraz 2017 HHH Smoky cassis nose with lingering spicy with underlying plum and silky tannins. $35 Ripe plum nose with with a complexity of fruit flavours and soft freshness. $20 Smith & Sheth a dash of pepper and dark leathery fruit. Nice tannins. $22 CRU Heretaunga more plums on the nicely varietal flavours with Boston Bay Hawke’s Bay Syrah textured palate. $25 balancing oak. $19.99 Mr Riggs Peninsula Shiraz 2017 HHHH Sussex Squire Season of Plenty The Truant 2017 HHH Bright vibrant red wine The Windmill Block Organic Vineyards McLaren Vale The nose is a vibrancy of with lots of oak on the Clare Valley Shiraz Riverlands Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 Ribena and raspberries nose and a drying oak 2017 HHH Cabernet Sauvignon A shiraz with lovely with ripe fleshy fruity driven tannic palate Very lifted dusty oak 2016 HHH controlled varietal flavours. $24 with some berry fruits aromas and sweet Intense lifted dark berry depth and structure pushing through. $40 vanillin oak flavours aromas with raspberry/ and some attractive SHIRAZ Haselgrove Wines matched by juicy varietal mulberry and dusty oak spiciness and peppery 2018/2017 $25+ The Lear McLaren fruit. $26 flavours. $24 elements. $17 Vale Shiraz Zonte’s Footstep Thomson Estate 22 TASTED 2017 HHHH Lake Doctor W&J Clare Valley Millon Wines 18 AWARDED Nice balance and Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Clare’s Secret concentration of dark Shiraz 2017 HHH 2016 HHH Clare Valley Lots of straightforward fruits and toasty oak on Dark berry intensity to Slight jammy fruit Shiraz 2017 HHH1/2 classics here. “Most nose and palate with the earthy/oaky nose characters with tobacco- Slight green leafiness were for drinking not savoury meaty touches and a firm savoury like oak elements and to the cherry fruit thinking,” suggested and powerful tannins. $90 meaty palate. $27.50 dusty tannins. $28 nose and a juicy soft one judge. But the good palate with mouthfilling news was you got what strawberry and plum you paid for at the higher flavours. $18 price end with loads of varietal fruit character and depth. 108 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

wine & spirit insider tasting Wignalls Great Lou Miranda Estate Brand & Sons Fire Thomson Estate Momentum Henri’s Southern Shiraz Golden Lion Barossa & Ice Coonawarra W&J Clare Valley Book Clare Valley 2017 HHH Valley Shiraz Shiraz 2016 HHHH Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 Shiraz 2015 HHHH Tarry/earthy elements 2016 HHHH1/2 Savoury oaky nose with Reserved savoury Sweet fruit aromas to the stalky berry fruit Plum, pepper and herbal notes and firmly varietal fruit aromas reminiscent of with subtle oak support pencil oak on the nose structured olive leaf/ with an angular palate boysenberries with and chewy tannins. $29 and nicely structured herbal palate with subtle with earthy characters nicely focussed fresh palate with lovely length plum fruit notes and firm and a grippy tannic dark and juicy fruit Kimbarra Wines of raspberry flavours tannins. $25 backbone. $28 flavours with a prickly Grampians Shiraz supported by firm grippy Mr Riggs The Bolter tannic finish. $40 2017 HHH tannins. $45 McLaren Vale Mitchelton Toolleen Mitchelton Print Very lifted perfumed McLaren Vale III Shiraz 2016 HHHH Heathcote Shiraz Central Victoria plum bouquet and Associates Giant Reserved earthy/smoky 2016 HHH1/2 Shiraz 2015 HHHH soft juicy berry fruit Squid Ink Single aromas and a balanced Attractive earthy aromas Jammy sweet fruit flavours with fine line Vineyard Estate briary fruit palate with and nice raspberry fruit bouquet with a savoury of tannins. $30 Grown McLaren balanced sweetness sweetness on the palate meaty edge and similar Vale Shiraz leading to a long silky that has a long silky characters following Sussex Squire 2016 HHHH1/2 smooth finish. $28 smooth finish. $55 through onto the juicy Thomas Block Somewhat understated 2 Mates The Lost palate. $80 Clare Valley dark fruit bouquet with Barrels McLaren Lou Miranda Estate Patrick of Shiraz 2017 HHH clove-like spiciness. Vale Shiraz Leone Barossa Valley Coonawarra Estate Leafy menthol aromas A supple and layered 2016 HHHH Shiraz 2016 HHH Wrattonbully Shiraz with a hint of berries and palate with ripe dark Lifted spirituous plum Medicinal nuances to 2013 HHHH interesting, elegantly fruits, subtle oak and a fragrances and a full, firm the dark fruit nose and Lovely ageing structured savoury grippy tannic finish. $180 and very intense savoury an astringent plum/ complexity of varietal palate. $35 Glendale Limestone peppery palate with vanilla palate. $30 fruit and oak on the nose Coast Shiraz some fruit sweetness with a rich warm palate Haselgrove Wines 2016 HHHH underneath. $35 Sidewood Estate that has layers of fruit, The Ambassador A lovely cool climate Brangayne Of Mappinga Adelaide oak and tannins. $29 McLaren Vale shiraz that’s a sweet/ Orange Orange Hills Shiraz Lou Miranda Estate Shiraz 2017 HHH savoury combination of Shiraz 2016 HHHH 2016 HHH Old Vine Barossa Supple slippery dark chocolaty fruit and Crunchy cherry/berry Plums, olives and spices Valley Shiraz raspberry fruit characters roasted meats nicely nose and a bright plum on the nose with a 2015 HHH1/2 matched by creamy balanced by tannins. fruit palate with firm crunchy peppery plum Heady dark fruit nose toasty oak and firm $19.99 peppery elements and a palate. $60 with interesting funky tannins. $85 long, fine, grainy tannic notes and a ripe textured Arlequin Barossa finish. $35 SHIRAZ 2015 spicy raspberry and SHIRAZ 2016 Valley Shiraz Butler Crest & OLDER dusty oak palate. $50 2016 HHHH Premium Margaret Vater Wines First 19 TASTED Intense delightful River Shiraz 8 TASTED Edition Barossa 16 AWARDED characters reminiscent 2016 HHHH 8 AWARDED Shiraz 2006 HHH1/2 of cherry liqueur and Subtle earthy raspberry A tarry mature wine that The judges thought Turkish Delight obvious characters on the nose The judges commented still shows a core of 2016 was a better, richer on the spicy lifted nose and velvety smooth that there were sweet fruit freshness. vintage overall compared and the silky smooth creamy plum and vanilla some good signs of “Drink now or up to with 2017. “However,” palate. $20 palate with a fine line of bottle maturation and 2022,” suggested one said one judge. “Some tannins. $35 development here. judge. $NA wines at the pricey end Mount Stapylton Good to see wines have All Saints Estate here had more oak to Rupert Single not fallen over which is Family Cellar Single match the riper fruit Vineyard Grampians often the case with early Vineyard Rutherglen that didn’t always work Shiraz 2016 HHHH release wines. “Great Shiraz 2015 HHH missing that point of Fresh raspberry aromas to have these wines Beautifully ageing freshness.” with a pretty violet-like that show structure and wine that still has fruit lift and those same floral depth.” freshness with some nice Mitchelton characters appearing powdery tannins. $75 Heathcote on the heavily fruited Momentum 100 Patrick of Heathcote Shiraz palate. $45 Year Old Heritage Coonawarra Joanna 2016 HHHHH Pauletts Polish Hill Barossa Valley Wrattonbully Shiraz Savoury aromas River Clare Valley Shiraz 2015 HHHH 2013 HHH with leafy/olive-like Shiraz 2016 HHH1/2 A dark red, spicy fruit A full bodied maturing highlights and a palate Full-on spicy fruit aromas cake of a shiraz style. shiraz with a focus that has a bright, rich on the nose with subtle Has fruit sweetness of plums, olives, complexity of sweet oak notes. The palate lifting off the nose and sweetness and tarry raspberry fruit, with has flavours of mocha nice palate weight, notes. $45 good use of oak and and blueberries. $25 CD texture and length. $48 lovely fine tannins. $40 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 109

NEW RELEASES SHIRAZ Patrick of SWEET Oxenberry Settlers Spring BLENDS Coonawarra WHITES McLaren Vale Sauvignon P-Series by Patrick Blanc 2017 12 TASTED Limestone Coast 4 TASTED Woody herbal bouquet 10 AWARDED Shiraz Cabernet 4 AWARDED and attractive varietal fruit Sauvignon flavours. Some sweetness A solid group of nicely 2013 HHHH Good examples of but balancing acidity. $20 balanced blends with Understated but sweet wines that won’t good fruit weight. “The complex spicy fruit disappoint consumers. Scarpantoni Estate Wines combination of additional nose. Soft and smooth Phone: 08 8383 0186 varieties with the shiraz on the mouth with rich Thomson Estate Email: [email protected] creates complexity and dark fruit flavours and Paper Daisies Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com interest,” said one judge. balancing tannins and South Australia oak. $19 Pink Moscato $U2N0DE&R Haselgrove Wines Hay Shed Hill 2018 HHH1/2 (NZ $25 & UNDER) Cul-Stor McLaren Margaret River Perfumed musky floral Vale Shiraz Blend Shiraz Tempranillo fragrances and light 2017 HHHH1/2 2017 HHH1/2 lifted fresh musky floral Nose has rich layers Soft, round and fleshy flavours. “Simple but it of savoury meats, wine vibrant with plums works!” said one judge. red berries and slight and blackberries with $18 peppery elements. supple oak and silky Lovely generous palate smooth tannins. $22 Pauletts loaded with berry Sussex Squire Polish Hill River flavours and showing The Bloodline Clare Valley some fruit sweetness Clare Valley Shiraz Late Harvest with fine tannins. $40 Cabernet Riesling 2017 HHH1/2 2018 HHH1/2 Mitchelton Crescent A meaty savoury blend Refreshing lemon/ Central Victoria with plum and berry citrus fruit characters Shiraz Mourvedre fruit characters, nicely with subtle honeyed Grenache focussed tannins and sweetness nicely 2017 HHHH long lingering finish. $32 balanced by the lovely Leafy cherry and light Mr Riggs Three crisp acidity. $24 CD plum bouquet with Corner Jack spicy/peppery notes. McLaren Vale Shiraz Sidney Wilcox Attractive sweet/spicy Cabernet Merlot Old Vine South palate with obvious 2016 HHH1/2 Australia Zibibbo Mourvedre varietal Cherries and briary fruit 2018 HHH1/2 characters. $28 lift off the nose leading An interesting wine to a tightly structured, with a citrussy Brand & Sons high acid, berry fruit sherbety bouquet Night Owls palate. $17 and some gentle Coonawarra De Beaurepaire sweetness to the lifted Shiraz Malbec Leopold Reserve floral fruit flavours. $25 2016 HHHH Central Ranges Ripe peppery Shiraz Viognier Bream Creek plum varietal fruits 2016 HHH1/2 Tasmania Late seamlessly balanced Leafy cherry bouquet Picked Schonburger with dusty oak, zippy with anise-like notes 2018 HHH1/2 acidity and some lovely and a red berry, Luscious musky/floral powdery tannins. $25 savoury, meaty palate. sweetness on the Textured tannins and nose with intense and Gomersal Wines spicy finish. $60 seamlessly balanced Lyndoch Road Zonte’s Footstep Z confectionery floral Barossa Valley Force McLaren Vale flavours. $31 Shiraz Mataro Shiraz Petite Syrah 2016 HHHH 2016 HHH1/2 Fleshy and medium Dusty oaky/leathery bodied with juicy soft nose with similar red berry and plum fruit characters echoed on characters, savoury/ the palate and mixing coffee-like notes and with the spicy plum firm drying tannins. $25 fruit. $70 110 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

Scarpantoni McLaren Vale Richard Hamilton Gida’s Scarpantoni McLaren Vale Whale Coast Kondole Sauvignon Blanc 2018 McLaren Vale Rosé 2018 Gamay Rosé 2018 Currency Creek Cabernet A pale wine exhibiting Bright pink/orange colour Sweet berry aromas layered Sauvignon 2017 light herbal varietal fruit with attractive bright berry with herbal elements and a A generous well balanced fragrances leading on to a fruit characters layered with flavoursome, drying, palate. $14 deep red cabernet with good, crisp and herbaceous excellent savoury elements. excellent persistence and green fruit palate. $14 Lovely complex wine. $20 Scarpantoni Estate Wines complexity of varietal fruit Phone: 08 8383 0186 and well handled oak. $18 Scarpantoni Estate Wines Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd / Richard Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8383 0186 Hamilton Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Whale Coast Wines Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8830 Phone: 0414 521 037 Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Web: www.whalecoastwines.com BEST VALUE WINES OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND Is updated in each issue of The Wine & Spirit Insider. Some wines TO QUALIFY may - if they are still available - remain in the next issue’s Best Value Wines listing. Others will sell out, or be replaced by higher- 1 Wines must have first been recommended in Winestate Magazine rated wines. style or new release tastings. Style tastings are defined as varietal The Wine & Spirit Insider’s Best Value Wines listing comprises the tastings - eg, shiraz, chardonnay, etc. - or blended styles such as best wines currently available, from big-name brands and the higher shiraz/cabernet wines. volume ‘second labels’ from the smaller producers, as tasted by 2 Wines from designated regional tastings are eligible provided Winestate Magazine panels. The Best Value Wines listing gives credit they are widely available. to the value wines in the marketplace - wines that would otherwise be 3 All wines must be currently available from the winery, or be overshadowed by their much more expensive cousins. readily available in the marketplace. Cellar door wine is ineligable. The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 111

BEST VALUE BUYS - All under $20 Shingleback Red Knot Howlin’ Gale Wines Shingleback Red Knot Whale Coast Crows Nest McLaren Vale Cabernet Category 5 Langhorne Classified McLaren Vale Currency Creek Sauvignon 2017 Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2017 Shiraz 2017 An elegant and quite savoury Sauvignon 2015 style of cabernet with excellent A mix of coconut, sweet A big wine! The nose is a Stalky briary fruit bouquet intensity and weight of plum, fruit and mahogany-like aged mix of spices, mocha oak with hints of forest floor-like rhubarb and blackcurrant-like aromas with rich sweet and blueberry fruit with a notes. Nice palate weight; full varietal fruit characters with fruited flavours and a dash full tannic palate ripe with and rounded and brimming some good chalky tannins. $15 of black pepper. $18.33 berry fruit and hints of over with peppery green chocolaty oak. 5+ $19 fruit with balancing acid and tannins. 5+ $18 Shingleback Wine Howlin’ Gale Wines Pty Ltd Shingleback Wine Whale Coast Wines Phone: 08 8323 9199 Phone: 0407 724 485 Phone: 08 8323 9199 Phone: 0414 521 037 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.shingleback.com.au Web: www.howlingalewines.com.au Web: www.shingleback.com.au Web: www.whalecoastwines.com the wine & spiritA U S T R A L I A N & N E W Z E A L A N D Issue 163 | May/June 2019 Editor & Publisher Winestate Web Site electronic medium or machine-readable form without E-mail: [email protected] the express permission of the publisher. Every care is Peter Simic E-mail: [email protected] taken in compiling the contents of this publication, but Managing Editor Printing DAI Rubicon the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects Website: www.distalliance.com arising therefrom. ABN 56 088 226 411 Lara Simic E-mail: [email protected] Administration Vicki Bozsoki E-mail: [email protected] Graphic 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 9277 Marketing Manager 81 King William Road, Unley SA 5061. Facsimile (08) 8357 9212 Copyright 2018 by WINESTATE PUBLISHING PTY LTD. E-mail [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] This publication may not, in whole or in part, be copied, Website www.winestate.com.au Tasting Coordinator photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any E-mail: [email protected] 112 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER

contact details MCLAREN VALE, LANGHORNE BEST OF THE WEST Quarisa Wines Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd CREEK, FLEURIEU & SURROUNDS Phone: 02 6963 6222 Phone: 08 7286 3088 After Hours Winery Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Arakoon Wines Phone: 08 9758 7799 Web: www.quarisa.com.au Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au Phone: 08 8323 7339 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.afterhourswine.com.au Toorak Winery NZ RECENT RELEASE Web: www.arakoonwines.com.au Phone: 02 6953 2333 Brash Vineyard Email: [email protected] Beklyn Phone: 0427 042 767 Phone: 0405 189 363 Email: [email protected] Warburn Estate Dancing Petrel Email: [email protected] Web: www.brashvineyard.com.au Phone: 02 6963 8300 Phone: 0212413221 Web: www.beklynwines.com Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Calneggia Family Vineyards Web: www.warburnestate.com.au Web: www.dancingpetrel.co.nz Dog Day Wines Phone: 08 9368 4555 Phone: 0402 050 820 Email: [email protected] NEW RELEASES Mount Brown Vineyard Ltd NZ Email: [email protected] Web: www.cfvwine.com.au Phone: +64 27 521 6693 Web: www.rustymutt.com.au Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wine Es- Email: [email protected] Coles Liquor tates LP Web: www.mountbrown.co.nz Dyson Wines Phone: 03 9829 5111 Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8386 1092 Email: [email protected] Web: www.smithandsheth.com Moutere Hills NZ Email: [email protected] Web: www.coles.com.au Phone: +64 02 1203 0470 Web: www.dysonwines.com Arlequin Wines Email: [email protected] Flowstone Phone: 0400 900 770 Web: www.mouterehills.co.nz G. Patritti & Co Pty Ltd Phone: 0487 010 275 Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8296 8261 Email: [email protected] Web: www.arlequinwines.com.au Pegasus Bay Winery NZ Email: [email protected] Web: www.flowstonewines.com Phone: +64 3 314 6869 Web: www.patritti.com.au Hay Shed Hill/Pitchfork Email: [email protected] Fuddling Cup Phone: 08 9755 6046 Web: www.pegasusbay.com Grandeur Wellington Phone: 08 9364 6165 Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8383 0866 Email: [email protected] Web: www.hayshedhill.com.au BEST BUYS Email: [email protected] Web: www.fuddlingcup.com Web: www.grandeurwellington.com.au Majella Wines Howlin’ Gale Wines Pty Ltd Heydon Estate Margaret River Phone: 08 8736 3055 Phone: 08 8537 3144 Haselgrove Wines Pty Ltd Phone: 08 9755 6995 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8706 Email: [email protected] Web: www.majellawines.com.au Web: www.howlingalewines.com.au Email: [email protected] Web: www.heydonestate.com.au Web: www.haselgrove.com.au Monkey Business SA P/L Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/ Richard Hamilton Swings & Roundabouts Ltd Phone: 0400 406 290 Phone: 08 8323 8830 Leconfield Wines Pty Ltd/Richard Hamilton Phone: 08 9756 6735 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8830 Email: [email protected] Web: www.monkeybiz.net.au Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Email: [email protected] Web: www.swings.com.au Web: www.leconfieldwines.com Schwarz Wine Company Scarpantoni Estate Wines WINES OF NSW Phone: 0417 881 923 Phone: 08 8383 0186 Mollydooker Wines Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 6500 Berton Vineyards Web: www.schwarzwineco.com.au Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 6968 1600 Web: www.mollydookerwines.com.au Email: [email protected] Simon Tolley Shingleback Wine Web: www.bertonvineyards.com.au Phone: 08 8389 9407 Phone: 08 8323 9199 Morgan Simpson Wines/Songvaar P/L Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 0417 843 118 Centennial Vineyards Web: www.simontolley.com.au Web: www.shingleback.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 4861 8700 Web: www.morgansimpson.com.au Email: [email protected] Singlefile Wines Whale Coast Wines Web: www.centennial.net.au Phone: 0409 108 166 Phone: 08 8552 1444 Pirramimma/Geoff Johnston Wines Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 8323 8205 Charles Sturt University Winery Web: www.singlefilewines.com Web: www.whalecoastwines.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 6933 2435 Web: www.pirramimma.com.au Email: [email protected] Yarrawood Estate Web: www.csu.edu.au/winery/ Phone: 03 9730 2003 Pruner’s Hut Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 822 106 Colmar Estate Web: www.yarrawood.com.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419 977 270 Web: www.prunershut.com Email: [email protected] STAR RATINGS  Web: www.colmarestate.com.au Scarpantoni Estate Wines Three-, four- and five-star ratings are signs of Phone: 08 8383 0186 Gallagher Wines excellence in fruit quality and winemaking skill. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0412 699 830 All wines are judged ‘blind’ by wine industry Web: www.scarpantoniwines.com Email: [email protected] professionals and are compared in peer Web: www.gallagherwines.com.au classes by three judges. Whale Coast Wines CM Wine is exclusive to Cellarmasters, Phone: 08 8552 1444 Grove Estate Wines a major mail-order business. Email: [email protected] Phone: 02 6382 6999 CD Cellar door price. Web: www.whalecoastwines.com Email: [email protected] CDO Cellar door only. Web: www.groveestate.com.au SO Sold out. Zonte’s Footstep Pty Ltd $N/A Price not available at time of printing. Phone: 08 7286 3088 Meadow Croft Wines  Contact information pg 113. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0422 326 101 Web: www.zontesfootstep.com.au Email: [email protected] RECOMMENDED cellaring (years). BEST VALUE for $20 & under. For a complete list of what we tasted please refer to www.winestate.com.au The Wine & Spirit INSIDER 113

aftertaste I’m PRO- secco ELISABETH KING PROSECCO AT THE PINNACLE AS SPARKLING DEBATE BUBBLES AWAY AT a recent showcase organised by Anglosphere countries like the US, the UK Sydney, Melbourne and San Francisco. It Pinnacle Drinks, Woolworths exclusive and Australia and Germany. has a creamy texture, persistent bubbles brands business, sparkling wines occupied and is luxurious for the price. centre stage as recommendations for Champagne still holds the number one Mother’s Day and winter. There were two title for revenues, of course, pulling in a The late protectionist move referred to by champagnes. A Lanson Brut Rosé and a record 4.9 billion euros ($A7.83 billion) in Brown Brothers following the global success reasonably priced bottling clearly pitched 2018 on 307 million bottles - 2.8 billion euros of prosecco was the result of intensive as a step up from Aldi’s runaway bestsellers, ($A4.48 billion) in export earnings. But the lobbying by Italian winemakers. In 2009, Monsigny Brut and Premier Cru. But the prosecco boom shows no sign of fading. they successfully managed to elevate other imported sparklers were proseccos Italian exports surged 16 per cent last year prosecco as a brand with protected status from Porta Dante, Zonin and Freixenet, to 804 million euros ($A1.28 billion). In a from a grape to the hill country near Treviso. Spain’s largest cava maker. The Spanish bitter pill for the French, prosecco sales The DOC covers five provinces in the wider prosecco was housed in a shimmery bottle jumped 40 per cent in France. Veneto region and four in Friuli Venezia Giulia, that looked like a cut-glass crystal vase. extending to the Slovenia border. With prices ranging from $19 to $22.99, The French have been they offered real class for not too much Italy’s prosecco producers are not of an outlay. fighting back hard stopping there. The biggest of the consortiums, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, It’s not surprising because the fruity since prosecco started has launched a campaign to seek UNESCO sparkling wine from northern Italy has World Heritage status for the recently- become the best-selling sparkling wine in chipping away at their minted protected wine region. Champagne the world by volume. It captured the crown achieved UNESCO status in 2015. Prosecco from champagne about five years ago and markets. is lifting its game to match its aspirations production is now 75 per cent higher than with higher-priced superiore wines now its pricey French competitor at 544 million Michael Edwards, the author of the book costing up to 30 euros ($A47.98). bottles a year. Other wine-producing nations The Finest Wines of Champagne, considers like the US and Australia have jumped in with prosecco’s success as predictable given All the media coverage about prosecco in gusto as Americans and Aussies fell in love that it’s cheaper and has an “any time” Australia centres on the EU free trade deal. with the cheaper celebration wine alternative. reputation, in addition to a special occasion But the Freixenet Prosecco offered at the one. What’s also happened, though, is that Pinnacle Drinks showcase shows that even Australia is vigorously pursuing a free trade people drawn to the inexpensive pricing fellow Europeans are thumbing their noses agreement with the EU, our second largest have come to prefer the more easy-drinking at the Italians. Both the French and the trading partner after China, and prosecco style even when they can afford champagne. Italians are facing competition from Spain’s has emerged as a bone of contention. The cava. The Spanish like to point out that EU negotiators are pushing the line that any Prosecco’s wallet-friendly price point is due making champagne and cava is a similar deal would have to guarantee exclusive to much lower production costs - only 3.7 process - the use of three grape varieties, naming rights for selected products. euros ($A5.91) by contrast to champagne’s early harvesting and a second fermentation Australian-produced prosecco now pulls average of 10.24 euros ($A16.37). It also has in the bottle. The grape varieties used in in $100 million a year. Brown Brothers is two fermentations but both are in tanks, unlike cava - macabeo, parellada and xarello - are the market leader and brought the grape champagne’s second fermentation after different but cava producers are also using variety here 20 years ago. the wine is bottled. The French have been chardonnay and pinot noir. Like prosecco, fighting back hard since prosecco started cava has the twin virtues of being an all- The company and other producers view chipping away at their markets. The quality of occasion and a celebration sparkler. Italian demands about prosecco as a bit champagne has never been higher because of a cheek. Although prosecco has been it has to be, notes Edwards. “The danger UK-based Will Willis, International Wine produced near Trieste for centuries, Italian is the competition, so it has to be better.” Development Director at the Freixenet winemakers only registered the name as This was evident at the Pinnacle Drinks Group, says that cava really takes it to a protected “geographic indicator” about event which included champagne Duperrey champagne as a food wine. The subtler 10 years ago when prosecco started to Premier Cru for $39.99 - a medal winner in flavours of champagne wilt when confronted gain popularity globally, particularly in with full-flavoured garlic, spice and cheese dishes. Touché. n e x t i s s u e : As we well and truly enter the Winter period we give you great tastings of delicious sweet whites & fortifieds, Yarra Valley, Southern Victoria & Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, Inland & Organic wines. 114 The Wine & Spirit INSIDER



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