Graciano can be a blockbuster and blow you out of the park. Not so with this example I found.
Zooming in for Organic wine
Recently, I was invited to take part in an online wine tasting hosted by Hayes Family Wines and Australian Organic Ltd.
Tastings on Zoom appear to be the closest thing to getting a large group into a cellar door or licensed venue at the moment, and I've got to say, it was very well organised. Such tastings have been a regular event for the business over the last month.
Langmeil Wattle Brae Riesling 2019
How good is Riesling after a long day? Here's a refreshing examples from the Eden Valley sure to hit the mark.
Langmeil Rough Diamond Grenache 2019
An easy slurp. Lovers of medium bodied wines would enjoy wading through a glass or two of this.
Honey Moon Vineyard Shiraz 2012
A charming and gracious Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills. Although from a low yielding vintage, the elegance and restrained power of this excellent wine are captivating.
Arfion Snowflake Savignin 2018
 |
Indigo Vineyard Secret Garden Viognier 2017
 |
Fat n Skinny Picker's Choice 2017
 |
The Fat n Skinny range from Hastwell and Lightfoot is all about producing medium bodied wines with approachability. This Picker's Choice is a blend of Shiraz, Tempranillo and Barbera with a dollop of their Rose to add softness.
Red Heads Rusty Roof Barbera 2019
 |
Two wines from Red Heads Wine turned up the week. A pleasing surprise from a label new to me. Here's a fabulous Barbera worth wrapping your lips around.
Higher Plane Reserve Chardonnay 2018
 |
These Higher Plane wines are quality. Here's a very tidy Chardonnay sure to impress.
Devil's Corner Pinot Noir 2018
 |
A readily available Pinot Noir which always hits the crowd pleasing button firmly.
Indigo Vineyard Secret Village Pinot Noir 2017
 |
Langmeil Three Gardens Viognier Marsanne Roussanne 2018
For those who like a little bit more body in their whites, give this a go. Better still, I did a double take when I saw the price. A super buy for 20 bucks!
Hayes Family Wines Rouge 2019
A vibrant blend of Shiraz and Mataro, grown on the estate's certified organic vineyards, this blend was fermented in a 675L ceramic egg.
Higher Plane Fumé Blanc 2019
100% barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc that saw old French oak for 6 months.
Garbin Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2018
This Reserve Chardonnay is the first wine both father and son, Peter and Adam Garbin, have worked together. It's an interesting wine in many respects.
Arfion Full Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
 |
This is Dave Mackintosh's first Pinot release from the Full Moon vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley. Based on what is in the glass, let's hope we see many more vintages from here too - this is a cracker!
Indigo Vineyard Black Ink 2018
Arfion Willowlake Pinot Noir 2019
This is one of those Pinots to enjoy when you are surrounded by those who laugh out loud and love life. A great drink and then some.
Indigo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
A wonderfully savoury driven Pinot Noir which will lap up these cool nights.
Arfion Smokestack Lightning PG 2019
Jim Brand Jim's Vineyard Shiraz 2016
A great Coonawarra Shiraz with plenty of depth and generosity to sink your teeth into.
Torbreck The Laird 2015
 |
It's not every day you get a hand delivered sample and ability to discuss such a revered label at the kitchen bench as I did yesterday. Lovers of big wines are in for a treat here - a superb Laird release.
Arfion Nebbiolo 2018
Dave Mackintosh is an uber cool dude. To say I was pumped when samples of his wines arrived would be an understatement. I first met "Dave Bro" back in 2013. What immediately stood out to me was his absolute humility and calm disposition. At the time he produced only a few barrels and was happy with his lot and not wanting production to get too big. Fast forward to the present and his popularity surged and then some - good things come to good people I say.
This Nebbiolo is a beauty! So pretty. So captivating.
Oakridge 864 Henk Vineyard Aqueduct Block Pinot Noir 2018
Garbin Estate Sparkling Merlot NV
 |
I don't see many wines from Western Australia's Swan Valley so it was great to see a few samples from Garbin Estate arrive. Let's kick off with this Sparkling Merlot.
Indigo Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2019
An attractive Pinot Grigio from Victoria's Beechworth region. A consistent release as always.
Indigo Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019
 |
With all these pale salmon Rosés on the shelves, it's great to see a Rosé with a little more colour. Some extra personality never hurt anyone. This tasty wine hits the mark.
Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Henk Pinot Noir 2018
I've gotta say, I'm loving the wines coming off this Henk site of late. The Chardonnay was a ripper and its class is evident with this Local Vineyard Series Pinot as well.
Hayes Family Wines Field Blend GSM 2019
A true field blend with Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro all inter planted. These 70 year old vines on Mattiske Road were recently certified organic.
Oakridge 864 Close Planted Syrah 2018
Cool climate Syrah that's just bristling. I looked at this over three days and it improved each time. An excellent wine.
Turkey Flat Grenache 2018
The Turkey Flat Grenache 2016 won the coveted Jimmy Watson in 2017. Curiousity got the better of me when I purchased this 2018 release recently.
Witches Falls Provenance Syrah 2019
 |
Straight off the bottling line, this Syrah comes across more as a Shiraz for mine.
Honey Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
Compared to its 2016 sibling, this 2017 is quite skeletal yet the pretty factor is high. An excellent Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.
Honey Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir - Extra 2016
I met Jane Bromley last year at a wine tasting for small producers. Softly spoken, she has a calming presence and warming smile. I was thrilled when she got in touch recently to share some of her wines for review. This 2016 and the 2017 are excellent examples of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.
Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
A forever reliable Coonawarra Cabernet. I find that ochre label quite eye catching too.
Yangarra Estate Roux Beauté Roussanne 2018
From Yangarra Estate's oldest Roussanne vines, now 15 years old, comes this golden ray of sunshine. An exquisite wine and then some.
Hayes Family Wines Primrose Shiraz 2018
Big and bold in the glass, there's plenty of generosity offered from this Barossa Shiraz hailing from Ebenezer, a sub-region in the north of the valley.
Oakridge Vineyard Series Willowlake Pinot Noir 2018
Fine boned, a sexy style Pinot Noir from the Willowlake vineyard.
Oakridge Vineyard Series Hazeldine Pinot Noir 2018
There's some heft about this Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Hazeldine release.
Penley Estate Project Cabernet 2019
Yangarra Estate Shiraz 2018
I remember tasting samples of this from barrel with Peter Fraser back in April, 2018. It looked fabulous then in its infancy and it is even better now. An incredible wine for the asking price.