Hardys Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This put a smile a smile on my face. Wholesome winter casserole sorta stuff.

Chocolate, cooking spices, dark berry fruit and a lick of sweetness. Flavours are generous with some oak clout adding to the picture. Delivery is smooth and long.

My only question is the price. I'd pay $20 but not $28.

Good+

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $28
Source: Sample

www.hardyswines.com

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Friday Drinks hits the UK!

Last week I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Enda Brady from Sky in the UK. Great to hear he enjoys listening to the segment all the way over in the UK every Friday afternoon on Brisbane's 4BC with Ben Davis. "Radio gold" he says. I won't argue with that.

Tune in here

Thorn-Clarke Eden Trail Riesling 2014

I sampled this at the Queensland Cricketers' Club Fine Wine Dinner Friday 29 May. Sitting beside me was winemaker Helen McCarthy. To say she loves Riesling is an understatement and her passion for the variety is infectious. She has delivered the goods here.

The fruit comes from the Mt Crawford vineyard. Bone dry, the acid is all natural and no acid was added during winemaking.

Green apple crunch and a citrusy zip deliver great fruit and length. What stood out for me though was the quartz like minerality that forms the backbone. A well balanced wine which just entices another sip.

This was paired with a fillet of John Dory, Jerusalem artichoke, mussels and salted walnuts. A terrific match.

Very good.

Region: Eden Valley
RRP: $26
Source: Sample

www.thornclarkewines.com.au

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Briar Ridge HRB Shiraz Pinot 2013

The excitement generated by some of the Hunter locals when talking about this wine is evident. Some even suggest it is one of the best reds in the Hunter at the moment. Easy to see why.

This is Gwyn Olsen's tribute to the Hunter's heritage - HRB standing for Hunter River Burgundy and brings together Shiraz (52%) and Pinot Noir (48%).

Medium bodied, dark cherries, raspberries, florals and pepper kick things off. Fresh and vibrant aromas. Scratch around a little more and flavours of clove and some earthy traits come to the fore. Tremendously smooth and silky, it is a beautifully balance wine.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley

RRP: $60

Source: Sample

www.briarridge.com.au

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Schild Estate GMS 2013

This is bangin' for the price. I loved the 2012 and perhaps maybe this a little more.

A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Shiraz (47/27/26). This is super slurpable and the fruit is juicy. Each element steps up and does its bit. The Grenache brings pretty aromas, raspberry fruits and spice. Shiraz provides dark berry fruit and the juicy factor with the Mourvedre adding structure and length. The Mourvedre for me adds that extra bit of sparkle on the finish. Oh, and there's no oak in sight!

I'm still impressed this is on the shelves for $15 and is a no brainer for bargain hunters.

Very good.

Region: Barossa
RRP: $15
Source: Sample

www.schildestate.com.au

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Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz 2014

There's so much I like about these Second Take wines.

The stats read like this: 50% whole bunch, wild fermented, 25 days on skins, seven months in French oak (17% new), unfiltered and unfined.

So what's it taste like? Pretty damn fine. Old skool winemaking at its best here. Lots of red things spring to mind when I take a whiff. Stewed rhubarb, cherries, plums, baked raspberries, even some violets - but they aren't red :)

Complexity and texture is rolled out courtesy of those whole bunches. The fruit fills the palate in a soft and comforting manner. Man this has spunk. 

Only 1400 bottles produced and one to pop on your "gotta try" list.

I'd go back for glass after glass. And I did. Great stuff.

Have in the medium term.

Very good+ 

Region: Barossa
RRP: $40
Source: Sample

www.yellandandpapps.com

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Payten & Jones Black Paddock Syrah 2013

This more a Sade than Beyonce. And damn it's tasty. The focus here being expression of site with a hands off approach to winemaking. Fruit is sourced from a single vineyard by the name of Black Paddock in the Yarra sub region of Kangaroo Ground. Bottled without fining or filtration.

Silky. Meaty; think pan juices. Some wallet leather and ferrous vibes. Super soft berry fruits. The aromas flow neatly to the palate. Fruit is delicately poised and lingers long. Utterly enjoyable.

Drink in the medium term. One for the shopping list.

Very good+

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $39

Source: Sample

www.paytenandjones.com.au

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Meerea Park Alexander Munro Chardonnay 2014

This is Meera Park's top Chardy and comes from forty year old vines.

There's yum factor here for those who like an oaky Chard.

Peaches and nectarines, ripe mango. Creamy vanillin oak really comes out here. There's some palate warmth and a citrusy zip sneaks up at the finish.

Big pours of this with roast chicken = happy punters.

Drink in the medium term.

Good+

Region: Hunter Valley

RRP: $36

Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

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Cumulus Wines Luna Rosa Rosado 2014

This Luna Rosa range from Cumulus is all about producing Mediterranean style wines. Plentiful amounts of food and flowing conversation with tasty booze in the hand. And they've nailed it here. This is a terrific example of what you want to be sipping on at a BBQ, gnawing on some tapas, lying in the sun picnicing... you get the idea.

There's a touch of fruit sweetness but strawberry and red berries dominate.
Lengthy and tasty. Top me up again please.

Very good.

Region: Central Ranges, NSW

RRP: $16

Source: Sample

www.cumuluswines.com.au

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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2012

All class. This makes me feel like kneeling and praising the Chardonnay gods.

Words such as finesse, pristine, depth, rich, layered and persistent all spring to mind.

100% barrel fermented, nougat, citrus, peach form the bones of this delicious wine. Seamless creamy oak wades in the background. I just love the fruit. It's super soft and delicate as is the acid. Wow factor stuff and everything just sits in its place. Terrific length and textural interest to burn. Will age beyond a decade.

I just want to hug it.

Excellent.

Region: Margaret River

RRP: $95

Source: Sample

www.leeuwinestate.com.au

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Tarrawarra Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2013

Plate up a roast chook in readiness.

Wild yeast fermented and 100% whole bunch pressed, it is clear to see why this is the flagship Chardonnay at Tarrawarra.

There's more oak here than the Estate Chardonnay and the fruit offers just that bit more complexity. Fleshy white peach heading the act moving to a long and generous finish. Complexity with well weighted fruit ensures this gets all the ticks. Really smart wine this with at least ten years aging potential in front of it.

Excellent.

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $50

Source: Sample

www.tarrawarra.com.au

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Stargazer Chardonnay 2014

Samantha Connew is on a good thing here. And to hear her say that she is nervous about producing a Chardonnay over any other variety says plenty about her willingness to succeed, particularly in an environment where Chardonnay is starting to reclaim its mojo. And this her first release, I reckon she has smashed it.

All fruit here. Apples, melon and grapefruit run the show. It's green apple city to be frank. Sensationally cool climate. Oak takes a back seat thanks to the use of second and third use puncheons. Fruit is pure and drives through gently all the way through to a long finish.

None of those warm buttery and stone fruit characteristics come within cooee. There's a trendy swagger about the texture it carries from being 100% whole bunch pressed.

It's not hard to be a fan of this. A top notch first release.

Set a reminder - available in September.

Excellent.

Region: Tamar & Derwent, Tasmania

RRP: $40

Source: Sample

www.stargazerwine.com.au

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Tarrawarra Estate Chardonnay 2013

You'd pay twice the RRP and still be very happy with this. It just ticks all the boxes and will leave glasses empty in no time.

Terrifically balanced and well made. A sessional type.

Freshly cut nectarine and peach, lemony tang followed by a grapefruit overtone. Butter cream rolls through courtesy of ten months on lees. That nectarine just hangs on in desperation as does the creamy oak.

In all, it's smart. Very smart. And well priced too. Worth tracking down.

Very good.

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $28

Source: Sample

www.tarrawarra.com.au

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Payten & Jones Paul's Range Chardonnay 2013

I tasted this Chardy in a line up of five. This was the most golden in the glass. The wine is packaged attractively. Cool label and comes in a heavy bottle, though the pic right doesn't do it justice.

From a single vineyard, aromas were muted and the fruit lacks spark. I was a fan of the 2012 but this seems to be a step back.

Fleshy white peach and oxidised apple aromas but the fruit, highlighted by caramalised peach and honey type characters, is dominated more by the vanillin oak. Not heavily oaked mind you, but the fruit seemed restrained. A decent length to finish. Hard to justify the $40 when others a little cheaper offer more get up and go.

Good.

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $40

Source: Sample

www.paytenandjones.com.au

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Payten & Jones Valley Vignerons Series Syrah 2014

Smashable Syrah from the Yarra. The Kangaroo Ground sub region in fact. Really sessional sort of stuff this. The type of wine I can see winning a lot of hearts in restaurants and bars.

Plummy, red fruits are soft though there is a little fruit sweetness. Delicate spices and well integrated oak. It's juicy and long. Soft and moreish.

The type of wine you sip away completely enjoying the moment yet you aren't distracted by its make up or complexity.

I'd happily seek this out. I couldn't help myself but to head back for glass after glass. Find it.

Very good.

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $27

Source: Sample

www.paytenandjones.com.au

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Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz 2010

I had the opportunity to have a look at this Shiraz on its initial release. Much of the it was withheld to reinvent the five year release. Lucky me to have another look a couple of years on.

Given some air, this is drinking tremendously. Soft fruit highlighted by cherries and plums. Delicious really. That rum 'n' raisin character is still evident but more of a mocha and chocolate element chimes in. Cedary oak comes to the fore more and plays its hand but there is a delicate touch. Generous in density and depth.

Still plenty of life left here too.

Very good+

Region: Hunter Valley

RRP: $72

Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings 2011

A blend of 70/25/5 respectively, fruit and oak dance alongside one another nicely.

Earthen, meaty, leathery, raspberry fruit, that Mourvèdre helps to fill out the back palate. Medium bodied, there is a density to it. The edges are a bit rough and it just lacks the polish I would have hoped for. A lick of fruit sweetness chimes in on a long finish.

I'd have a glass with a lamb shank.

Worth hanging on to for ten.

Good+

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $65

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Shottesbrooke Jenkins Vineyard Shiraz 2013

A single vineyard wine from a newly acquired vineyard. The vineyard itself has been long established and is owned by the local optometrist, Dr Jenkins, which happens to be on the main drag in The Vale I'm reliably informed.

Dark fruits, dirty road, leather and some meaty salami like characters too.
Its powerful and fills the palate. There's a spicy buzz motoring through the core. Give it some air to shine but from top to toe it carries a smooth swagger.
Soft tannins to finish.

Keep for ten by good to go now.

Very good.

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $40
Source: Sample

www.shottesbrooke.com.au

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Hardy's Tintara McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013

A wine which reminds me of the a bloke who comes from a good family but is a bit rough around the edges. You know the type. The family is always well groomed, live comfortably in a neat and tidy house with all siblings conforming except this guy. He's scruffy, hard edged, and just doesn't speak as softly as the others. You've met this guy I'm sure. We all have at some stage.

So this Shiraz hits the chords of a McLaren Vale Shiraz in some respects but dodges the softly softly approach to life. A day on and the onslaught couldn't be stemmed. Black pepper corns, dark and red fruits, dark chocolate are all there on the nose. But the grunt and sheer brut of the palate isn't floating my boat. Spicy and heavy, the finish is grainy and sandy.

Not my style but whack a steak and some veg beside it and that may soften the blow.

Good (but only just).

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $28
Source: Sample

www.hardyswines.com

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Yalumba Christobel's Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2014

A wine which offers good refreshment. Nothing flashy here, just a reliable wine at a fair price.

Often priced below the RRP, plenty of citrus and tropical fruit flows throughout. A whiff of pear skin and green apple also wanders on by. Green melon takes charge on the palate. Clean and crisp, chill down and enjoy with a BBQ or fresh seafood. An easy everyday type.

Good.

Region: Barossa
RRP: $15
Source: Sample

www.yalumba.com

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Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Another excellent release from Leeuwin Estate.

Attractive bright fruit in the glass with a hum of cedary oak. Toss in some dried herbs and purply type flowers. The fruit is just soft and elegant. There's a gorgeous femininity to this wine which sits at 13.5% alc. Black fruit comes in waves with a lick of oak at the death.

The type of wine you'd have with a loved one on a cool night. That whole warm and fuzzy thing.

Excellent.

Region: Margaret River

RRP: $63

Source: Sample

www.leeuwinestate.com.au

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Ballandean Estate Durif 2013

This is Ballandean's first Durif coming off 7 year old vines. As with all their reds, this too is sealed with ProCork

Juicy dark cherry and black fruit plus a smattering of dried Mediterranean herbs. Some purple flowers have a presence in the background. The thing I like about this Durif is that you are not clobbered over the head with power as many tend to do. This weighs in at around 14% Alc.

Blackcurrant leafiness comes to the fore at the finish. Sapping and drying tannins come in late. This is something to cuddle up to on a cold winter's night.

I reckon it will be drinking best in a couple of years but it is still a more than decent drop now.

Very good.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $35
Source: Sample

www.ballandeanestate.com

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d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Before tossing this aside because it comes from the 2011 vintage, think again. Yes, 2011 was wet. We know that. But that doesn't mean all such wines need to be tarnished with that brush; case in point here. The fruit for the three d'Arenberg icon wines were picked before the heavy rains. There's a degree of masculinity to this wine too.

Red meat, dark fruits, oak, chocolate and plums. It's the type of red that grabs you by the canasters. Well, it did me anyway. The fruit is bullish and grinds through to a long finish. Dusty like tannins sit nicely.

There's just that little grunty kick. Like the tear away kid. A wine you'd have sitting up late with joined by deep and meaningful conversation. Chocolate tart shouldn't be far away from it either.

Will cellar for ten.

Very good.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $65

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Shottesbrooke Blewitt Springs Shiraz 2013

I'm really liking what is happening across the range at Shottesbrooke at the moment. There's a consistency and quality across the board. This Shiraz is the flagship and it smashes it.

I was just drawn into the elegance it delivers. Black fruits, plummy, some meatiness, a bit of chocolate, this calls for s succulent rib eye steak. It's more juice than brut strength.

There's a drying thing about this wine which just makes it moreish. And I go back again.

It drank better a day on so pop it away for a little while. It softens beautifully sitting on the mid palate. A hint of  ratatouille of all things steps up. The fruit is soft and then a spice tickle taps around at will finishing with dusty tannins.

And I go back again.

Will sit for ten.

Excellent.

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $50
Source: Sample

www.shottesbrooke.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2011

Pretty aromas. Berry basket and plums with a violet and purple flower type perfume playing second fiddle. A whiff of oak is on the prowl but some blue fruits swoop in late.

Cured meat, earth, undergrowth and those dark berry fruits step up on a long and engaging palate. Deep and daring. I wouldn't expect anything else from this guy.

Juicy tannins sit pretty and long. Bold and a bit drying. The power of the fruit has a magnetism to it. There's a good lick of spice on the finish too.

I wouldn't leave it much more than a decade.

Roast beef me.

Very good.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $65

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Wowsers! This reminds me of those old Honda ads where "everything just works".

Only released in exceptional vintages, what stands out to me above all is that nothing does stand out. Every element is thatched together in harmony.

Dark fruits are knitted together in unison with savoury characters. Generous aromas move to smooth and soft flavours which caress the mouth to exemplify all the varietal traits of a magnificent Cabernet from the west. The lick of bay leaf on the finish adds further class.

Time will be its friend but gee I loved a glass or three of it now. Line it up for a birth year or special occasion but wines like this will make any occasion memorable.

Outstanding.

Region: Frankland River, Western Australia
RRP: $115
Source: Sample

www.houghton-wines.com.au

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Cross Stitch Shiraz Cabernet 2014

A label from Angoves focused on highlighting the benefits of bringing well performing regions together. Crossing over. Cross Stitch. Get it? I like the idea of the label but for me it looks like one of those supermarket home brands.

But what we drink is the juice not the label, right? This McLaren Vale Shiraz (59%) is blended with Coonawarra Cabernet (41%) to produce a neat little wine punching above its weight for $15 RRP.

Interesting yet captivating aromas of plums, tobacco and tomato leaf. Cabernet leafiness isn't far from the act either. More time in the glass reveals chocolate and black fruit characters.

Fruity not dirty, there's reasonable depth coupled with a long length. Lots of black fruit but a smokey oak character hustles forward near the finish.

I like it. Worth grabbing for the $$.

Good+

Region: McLaren Vale & Coonawarra
RRP: $15

Source: Sample

www.angove.com.au

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La Petite Mort Marsanne 2013

With a name like Le Petite Mort and the image of a skeleton on the label, you can certainly expect something a little different here. And it doesn't disappoint.

Fermented in old French oak, I was fixated with the honeycomb aroma. Behind it hides some honeyed notes, melted butter and almost some marigold florals. Wicked stuff and she's a wild one. Barrel fermented too.

Down the hatch and those honeyed characters punch through with a delicate presence. The mouth is coated in a light creaminess. Stone fruit slides on by leaving well weighted fruit in its wake. Little acid to speak of, just texture and an underlying minerality.

The intrigue factor is the winner here. Plenty going on. Have with gnocchi in a buttery sauce.

Very good.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $28
Source: Sample

www.lapetitemort.com.au

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Oakvale Ablington Vineyard Chardonnay 2014

My first look at Oakvale and I like what I see. Their restaurant EXP is taking off too from what I hear. I'm in the Hunter this weekend staying nearby so I might just have to pop in and see what the fuss is all about.

This Chardonnay is lip smacking. The fruit comes from an unirrigated vineyard which is thirty five years old. Hand picked, wild yeast fermented, a minimalist approach to winemaking is the goal along with sharing an expression of the vineyard - alluvial grey sandy loam soils in Pokolbin. French oak is used for nine months and the wine is bottled unfined.

This put me in a happy place with chicken by my side. More citrus than oak. More vanilla than cream and butter. But there is a delicious spread of lemon butter. The vanilla oak and soft fruit really appeals here. Another little lemony twist on the finish adds a classy touch. Great stuff. Get me another glass.

Very good.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $33
Source: Sample

www.oakvalewines.com.au

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Ballandean Estate Saperavi 2013

This is the second vintage of the Saperavi and I like it just as much as the first. Maybe more. Really smart booze this.

Expressive black berry fruit and dried herb sing here. Dry but juicy. Deep and moreish.

Acid is crunchy and the finish is super long. The fruit just grips and sticks. I'm hankering for little birds; quail would do it. But a slow cooked dish wouldn't be out of the question. Regardless, this has a homely snuggle factor to it. Winter is calling and I reckon I'd rather reach for this than a blanket.

Medium term cellaring but gee I like this now.

Excellent.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $42
Source: Sample

www.ballandeanestate.com

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Thomas Wines Kiss Shiraz 2013

Soft and elegant, this is classic Hunter Valley medium bodied Shiraz.

Perfectly balanced, think savoury, some cured meat and delicious dark cherry. Seamless with a superb length with a dainty touch and soft as fine tannins. The best of what Andrew Thomas can offer is pretty damn awesome here.

Be patient and keep for a couple of years to see it at its best.

Walk over broken glass for this.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $60
Source: Sample

www.thomaswines.com.au

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Cumulus Luna Rosa Tinto 2013

I like this style of wine. It's tasty and screams for generous pours.

Buckets of cherry flavours from the Sangiovese (70%) are chased down by equal amounts of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Merlot (10%) adding some grunt on the finish.

Housed in old oak for twelve months, the fruit is fresh and expresses itself with a savoury finish. This is a classic Chianti style and priced perfectly.

Match it with a meat board in large glasses.

Good+

Region: Central Ranges
RRP: $16
Source: Sample

www.cumuluswines.com.au

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