Dodgy Bros Juxtaposed Old Vine Shiraz Sandy Old Block Wait Vineyard 2019

 

A ripping McLaren Vale Shiraz, it is one of those wines I'd prefer to drink than review - that says it all really. Normally the backbone of the Dodgy Brothers Shiraz, this was too good to not bottle separately.

Curly Flat Chardonnay 2019

 

A swim in the fairy pool of Chardonnay bliss. Pure class from top to toe. How good is living with wines like this in your glass!

Naturalis Organic Rosé 2020

 

A delightful softness is what hooks me in here. Organic Rosé - what's not to like when quality whispers your name for less than 20 bucks.

Clandestine Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2020

 

A BIG shout out to marketing gun Tash Stoodley for sliding these samples from Clandestine Vineyards across my tasting bench. There are 6 wines under this label and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to check them out - their first release wines from organic and sustainably grown sites in Western Australia and South Australia. This Pinot Grigio is a ripping intro to the brand.

Clandestine Vineyards Tempranillo Rosé 2020

 

Lunch time done well. This is such a great drink. Savoury driven, this dry style Rosé brings the mouth to water.

Take It To The Grave Rosé 2019

 

A friend popped over with this under his wing. 'Deadly good' he reckons.

Dodgy Bros Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache 2019

 

Oh Grenache. You steal my heart every freakin' time. Talk about excellent buying too - considering the age of the vines and the quality of the fruit in your hands here, $29 for this makes it one of the best Grenache buys from McLaren Vale. Back the truck up!

Oliver's Taranga Grenache 2020

 

Delicious! Absolute smash factor. Corrina Wright's best Grenache release for a couple of years I say. Cut loose and smiles (as big as Corrina's) will flood the faces around you.

Gerler Vermentino 2020

 

A multi regional Vermentino blend - I haven't seen one of these before. A wonderful refreshment no less. Give me a large pour by the pool please.

Naturalis Organic Chardonnay 2020

 

A bargain Chardonnay for under $20 that is part of a fresh new line of Organic wines from Angove Family Wines. 

Naturalis Organic Pinot Grigio 2020

An easy drinking Pinot Grigio in this fresh new line of Organic wines from Angove Family Wines. 

Naturalis Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2020

 

A fresh new line of Organic wines from Angove Family Wines. Say cheers with this easy drinking Sauv Blanc.

Tellurian Block 3 TLR 2016

 

It's  fabulous exercise sitting siblings beside one another and comparing their likeness. Tellurian's TLR stands for Top of the Long Row whereas the SR resides at the bottom of the hill - the Short Rows.

Tellurian Block 3 SR 2016

 

The beauty of Heathcote Shiraz. If you have yet to experience what quality wines can be found in this region, I couldn't recommend this Shiraz highly enough.

Tellurian Tranter 2017

Beautifully perfumed, there's some restrained power lying within. A super Heathcote Shiraz.

Castle Rock Estate Riesling 2020

 

I only reviewed the 2019 release in February earlier this year. A quick turn around sees the 2020 land on the tasting bench. Very much a similar wine to the previous. Super Riesling and what a way to celebrate winemaker Rob Diletti's 20th vintage!

Gerler Rej Montepulciano Mataro 2019

 

Blends fascinate me. The exploration is exciting, outrageous and fascinating all at the same time. Here are two varieties singing a duet together - a duet I wouldn't have contemplated.

Gerler Rosé 2020

Sunset slurps are done easy with pleasurable wines like these. 

Castle Rock Porongurup Chardonnay 2020

 

An easy going Chardonnay. Some fruit, some textural appeal, tick. 

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2019

 

There's something about these Huntington Estate Chardonnays which I just love. Perhaps they are a mirror of their maker? Big presence but gentle with a warm heart and cutting some swagger in those red Converse.

Brand and Sons Fire and Ice Shiraz 2018

 

Coonawarra Shiraz from Brand and Sons.

Meerea Park Black Shiraz 2018

 

Meerea Park's flagship. This was supposed to be a one off in 2011 but the good Hunter years keep coming. Now the fourth release of this label ('11,'14,'17,'18), the 2018 Hunter Valley vintage is said to be off the charts. Some suggest better than 2014.

La Petite Mort Tempranillo Reserva 2016

Gorgeous. Gimme all the charcuterie. Granite Belt Tempranillo on point.

Golden Grove Estate Chardonnay Semillon NV

 

A curious blend of Chardonnay and Semillon that just works. Throw it at a roast chicken dusted with rosemary wine. 

Heartland Spice Trader Cabernet Shiraz 2017

These Spice Trader wines are fabulous value. Lip smacking density reaches deep into your soul seeking your love. 

Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz 2016

 

A 2016 release for a skinny price. Great drinking for the money. 

Chateau Yaldara Wild Goose Chardonnay 2020

 

Refreshing Chardonnay sourced from the Adelaide Hills. Oak has a strong presence aromatically but calms in the mouth.

Heartland One 2016

 

The top dog in the Heartland range, get up to your neck in serious fruit depth.

Brand and Sons Last Sunday Drive Cabernet Franc 2019

 

There are plenty of quality Cabernet Francs coming out of the Coonawarra of late. Add this to the must try list. A sophisticated type, it's on the serious side - furrowed brow and all but with an endearing personality the more you get to know it.

Chateau Yaldara Lily Ponds Grenache 2020

 

I have no idea what Lily Ponds have to do with Grenache, but I reckon this is a great slurp nonetheless. Chateau Yaldara have gone about an extensive re-branding, and I must admit, I find this label quite appealing with great shelf presence. 

Nanny Goat Pinot Noir 2018

 

Deliciously savoury, this is a fabulous example of Central Otago Pinot Noir. In the words of winemaker Alan Peters-Oswald, "We aim for the fruit to express itself rather than working it hard to express itself."

Golden Grove Estate Durif 2019

 

A generous Durif that comes across bigger than the stated 13.7% alcohol. Lip smacking deluxe.

Tobin Wines Luella Plum Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

Luscious. Satiny feels. A great cool climate Cabernet.

Born and Raised The Super T 2017

 

A masterful blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot, this is an Aussie take on the Super Tuscan. It's a mighty impressive one at that.

Expression Pinot Noir 2020

A whiff offers a glimpse of a good Pinot but this comes in weighty and dense.

La Petite Mort Qvevri Saperavi 2019

 

Big love for this beauty. As winemaker Glen Robert says, "This is a quirky wine."

La Petite Mort Qvevri DM 2018

 

Another creative master piece from the La Petit Mort label. A blend of Durif and Mataro, this sat on skins for 183 days inside Georgian Qvevri.

Pig in the House Organic Shiraz 2019

A wonderful wine and a scream for $25. Great drinking like this doesn't need to tear a hole in your back pocket.

Expression Shiraz 2019

 

I like these Selena Estate labels. They are cleverly done and bring good shelf appeal. This Barossa Shiraz bring happiness to the taste buds too.

Berton Vineyard The Black Shiraz 2018

 

Shiraz from three states in one pleasurable parcel. Like many of the Berton Vineyard wines, it represents terrific value.

Berton Vineyard Metal Label Rosé 2020

 

A very tidy Rosé for $13.

Berton Vineyard Metal Label Sauvignon Blanc 2020

 

A cracking value Sauvignon Blanc from Berton Vineyard. Slurps in the sun done easy for a mere $13. 

Gundog Estate Marksman's Shiraz 2013

 

A 2013 Cellar Release and it's a beauty. Just wow. The more I see Matt Burton's wines the more I adore them. There's a meticulous touch which defines his work. 

Tobin Wines Elliot Reserve Merlot 2018

 

Yikes! Ambitious pricing for a Merlot. I'm not sure there is a market screaming for $100+ Merlot, but perhaps there is...

Tobin Wines Elliot Merlot 2019

 

Young Merlot. It needs a decant or some bottle age before you see its true colours.

Tyrrell's Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet 2018

 

The beauty of medium bodied Shiraz and depth of Cabernet all parcelled up cleverly.

Golden Grove Estate Shiraz 2019

 

I get to see a bucket load of wine - something for which I'm very grateful. Some get glance and it's job done. Others need some time over a few hours or a few days. Here's an example of the latter. A beauty if you have patience.

Tobin Wines Isabella Aged Semillon 2014

 

Aged Semillon hitting the mark from the Granite Belt's Tobin Wines.

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Chardonnay 2020

 

Easy drinking, no fuss Chardonnay.

La Petite Mort Chardonnay 2017

 

Detail and texture sum up La Petite Mort wines best. Wonderfully well considered wines they are. This Chardonnay is a treasure.