Huntington Estate Special Reserve Shiraz 2009

What a joy it is to go back in time and revisit a wine previously sampled and see where its sits after some bottle age. The shape and presence are quite intriguing and impressive all at the same time. A brilliant example of aged Shiraz.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

 

In the groove. Silky and savoury, aged red wine bliss. I was fortunate enough to score a museum release sample of this wine. True to form, these Huntington Estate wines age well.

De Iuliis Limited Release Chardonnay 2009

 

Generous and rich, here we have a thirteen-year-old Chardonnay smashing it out of the park.

Huntington Estate Tim Stevens Shiraz 2009

Sitting pretty at nine years young. It was great to line up this 2009 release alongside its 2015 and 2016 siblings. The flagship wine for Huntington Estate named after the winemaker himself, this 2009 is only available to wine club members.

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon 2009

I had the opportunity to have a look at this at the Meerea Park new release dinner in Brisbane recently. General Manager Garth Eather said quite humbly, "Semillon is something we do well." He's damn right too. Very well I'd say. This is brilliant!

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz Aged Release 2009

Aging gracefully, this is sitting pretty. Layers of deliciousness await.

Mitchell Wines McNicol Riesling 2009

Heading into the aged phase, this is a peach. A delicious aged Riesling for those who enjoy dipping their oar into this ocean of pleasure.

Glenguin Estate Aristea Shiraz 2009

A wine to be held in two hands. The flagship of the Glenguin Estate range, this is only produced in superior years. Over the last decade it has been released in 2007, 2009 and 2014. This 2009 is a beauty.

Mitchell Wines Sevenhill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I'm not sure what I like better here - the fruit purity or the fact it's a 2009 looking so youthful.

Divine. Seriously. One whiff and you know you're on a winner. Barely a hair out of place, the welcome mat to pleasure country is rolled out.

Sirromet Le Sauvage Chardonnay 2009

A classic European old school style of Chardonnay here.

Time has enabled this to continue to develop beautifully.

Brokenwood ILR Semillon 2009

Fresh as a daisy. An absolute pleasure to drink.

Squeezed lemon juice with a preserved lemon twang. Still in a honeymoon phase before the toasty and honey characters start to develop. Waxy fruit sits persistently and seems to kick back and hang around for eternity. Acid is soft and perfectly measured complimenting the fruit.

Whilst a delicious drink now, the patient will be rewarded furthermore. A tremendous example of aged Semillon.

Hunt around too - the RRP can be beaten by up to $15.

Drink now or cellar for the long term.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $75
Source: Sample

www.brokenwood.com.au

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Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

The vineyard on which the fruit is grown was planted in the early 1970's. This wine is always released at five years of age - and surprisingly cheap for a wine held back for so long.

Blackberries and blackberry jam, blueberries, some cedar and vanilla oak. It thins out a little in the mouth before drying and chalky tannins round it out. A bit more vibrancy needed though to get me completely engaged - I did have it in a decanter for two hours before tasting though.

A hearty stew would be a suitable food match.

Will cellar for another ten years.

Good+

Region: Mudgee
RRP: $26
Source: Sample

www.huntingtonestate.com.au

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Thomas Wines Braemore Cellar Release Semillon 2009

Bottled in June 2009, this has been sitting in a dark place patiently readying itself for your drinking pleasure. And time has started to impart its thing here but the frightening thing is how fresh this wine is.

Pale golden and straw, the toasty characters are lacing up their dancing shoes. Honeyed toast and lemony fruit reigning supreme.

The palate is coated with a generous veneer of fruit which just hangs. Acid is softening though still hasn't lost its lustre with a length lasting for an eternity.

Drinking mighty well now but will live for as long as you want.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $50
Source: Sample

www.thomaswines.com.au

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De Iuliis Aged Release Semillon 2009

250 dozen were held back for this five year aged release.

Still mightily fresh. Green apple, citrusy with a waxy character evolving.

Youthful is the word that I keep coming back to though. Tangy acidity frames the palate well. There's lemon pith too. That typical aged Semillon honey and toast character is starting to emerge but is being shouldered from the front by the citrusy goodness.

Well priced for what you get. There's plenty of gas still left in the tank and will easily age for the long term.

Very good.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $30
Source: Sample

www.dewine.com.au

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Golden Grove Estate Semillon 2009

An aged release from Golden Grove here. The Granite Belt isn't a great region for Semillon, and whilst this is a good wine, it didn't make me jump out of my seat.

Buttered toast, honey enters the fray as does some kerosene type aromas. All the usual aged Semillon characters tick the boxes.

It came across more developed than its five years. Acid is soft. Slight lemon rind and lemon butter roll through to a long finish.

Whilst there is a fair depth and palate weight, it just doesn't have the refinement you'd expect for a five year old Semillon. Perhaps a few more years will assist here but I suspect it won't develop too much more. It will certainly live for up to another ten years.

It's a good wine and surprisingly cheap for an aged release but not one I could have more than a glass of.

Good but I prefer others.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $20
Source: Sample

www.goldengroveestate.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2012

It's hard to beat Grenache at this price point with the work that has been thrown at it. Things like basket pressing offer that point of difference. Often priced below the RRP, it's a sweet deal.

There's plenty on offer here. You get thrown some fruit then the savoury part swings into play. Quite dense, there's black fruit, some clove and baking type spices. Add to that a little fruit sweetness. The mouth is coated well and the finish is drying with sappy type tannins.

This will age for the medium term at least but it's ready to go now. Try something different and have with lamb. There's enough there to cut through it.

Good stuff +. I'd have a couple of glasses easy.

Widely available.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $18

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Sirromet Le Sauvage Chardonnay 2009

Smart and sophisticated Chardonnay made the old school way.

All the bells and whistles have been thrown at this to great effect. Bright golden straw like appearance. Oak is evident and fruit quite linear but that's the style. Tremendous length which draws out biscuity and nougat nuances. Some fig at the death. Gee it slides down well.

I could easily enjoy a glass or two but I'm not so sure on the asking price.

Very good.

Region: Granite Belt

RRP: $89

Source: Sample

www.sirromet.com

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d'Arenberg The Cenosilicaphobic Cat 2009

The name is a mouthful so just go with "fear of an empty glass" for simplicity.

A union of unusual bed fellows in the form of Sagrantino 90% and Cinsault 10% which were blended after two years in old French and Amercan oak.

Stemmy aromas first up but these settle. A good decant and airing fixes that. Loads of mouth drying and puckering tannins dominate the landscape so food is needed. Hang on, I'll rephrase that... It's bloody tannic! Behind that, and you'll need to dig, sit red berries, dark cherry, wallet leather and purple flowers. It's almost a yin and yang effect with bold structure and tannin but some softer fruit qualities.

For all its complexity and the questions tossed up, I keep going back for more. Must be a sign of a decent drop?

Although already five years old, a few more years in the cellar won't hurt to see it at its best.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $30

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Clovely Estate Blanc de Blanc 2009

This is the first fizz made by Clovely Estate. Started by former winemaker and CEO Luke Fitzpatrick and finished by Sarah Boyce, prior to this Clovely bought their fizz from Hardys and stuck their label on the front.

After four years on lees in the bottle, this steps out and makes an appearance. It's a bloody good first up effort I must admit, my only question is the price. When you go over the $30 mark you start mixing with the serious players. And whilst this is very tidy, I wouldn't pay the asking price. Stick a glass in my hand though and I wouldn't complain at all mind you.

Bready, toasty, and brioche characters are all there. Some lemon and lemon curd add nicely to the profile. The bead is consistent and the colour is on the mark. Good depth and length are certainly engaging which move to a persistent and long finish. A welcome addition to the Clovely portfolio.


Available online or cellar door.

Region: South Burnett
RRP: $35
Source: Sample

www.clovely.com.au

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Ridgemill Estate Cabernet Malbec 2009

Despite only being 13.5% alcohol, this wine delivers a lot more punch than you bargain for. A big boy ready to match your bigger foods. Beef it up!

Blackcurrant, eucalypt and mint characters head the line up here. There is still a dash of acid which will give it some more kick for another ten years.

Generous flavours, some dry herb sneaking into the frame, with a drying finish.

A very good wine.

Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $30

www.ridgemillestate.com

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