Meerea Park Indie Vintage Brut Cuvee 2011

 

I was quite excited to see this sample come through the door. I can't recall the last time I saw a fizz from Meerea Park. If it's as bubbly as winemaker Rhys Eather's sideline commentary at the rugby, we're in for a treat.

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon 2011

A stunning aged Semillon which shows age delivers immaculate wines from this variety. Alexander Munro is the flagship label for Meerea Park.

Geoff Merrill McLaren Vale Reserve Shiraz 2011

From the dreaded 2011 vintage. A challenging year but one where the good winemakers stood up and worked their magic. Case in point here. A more than enjoyable wine.

Patrick of Coonawarra Aged Riesling 2011

Write off Coonawarra whites at your peril. There's some terrific aged Riesling deserving your attention. This is a beauty.

Tyrrell's Single Vineyard Stevens Semillon 2011

What a terrific example of the Hunter Valley special - Semillon. No where else in the world has this variety taken so well.

Tyrrell's HVD Single Vineyard Semillon 2011

I'm quite partial to Hunter Semillon. Step it up a notch to aged Semillon and my interest piques again. Mind you, aged Semillon is severely underrated and under-appreciated I feel. The freshness here from what once was a young wine has now been rolled over to the aging phase delivering delicious complexity.

Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2011

I get a sense this is a little further developed than hoped. Expecting firmer acidity for longevity, it has certainly slipped into some comfortable shoes rolling to just the other other side of the curve.

Heemskerk Coal River Valley Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2011

This comes in a bottle with a booty bigger than Beyoncé but the contents are far more stylish. Whilst I like the presentation, it's a bugger to store - but we eat with our eyes, right?

Oceans of pleasure spill out of the glass here. Fresh, elegant and precise.

Margan Aged Release Semillon 2011

A fantastic aged Semillon release from a great Hunter vintage.

Clean and crisp, toast characteristic synonymous with aged Semillon begin to step up here. Still early days in the aging phase, fresh lemons have shifted to more to the preserved spectrum. There's still an enticing freshness present, the best of both worlds in some respects. Only five years old, there's many years still in the bag. Long and persistent, there's no reason to wait for the impatient - it's drinking very well.

Find some seafood and happiness will follow.

94/100 - Very good+

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $50
Source: Sample

www.margan.com.au

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Vinea Marson Nebbiolo 2010

Quite earthy and savoury, this comes across more developed than I expected it to be.

Usual varietal traits are present and delivery is super fine though that powdery tannin structure of Nebbiolo doesn't seem to present itself. Regardless, this is a most enjoyable drink without setting the fireworks off. A glass will do me just fine.

Drink now and for the next ten years.

89/100 - Good+

Region: Heathcote
RRP: $35
Source: Sample

www.vineamarson.com

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Vinea Marson Syrah 2011

A neat Syrah coming from Heathcote. Medium bodied with a dab of sweetness, delivery is soft and smooth. More time in the glass sees reddish earth come to the fore as does some pan juices. A spice nip whips up the tail. Another wave rolls through before all seems lost as bitter and sour cherries finish the job.

One of those wines that grows on you, I'd have a glass with some of those fancy Italian sausages my butcher makes. And I might just do that.

90/100 - Very good.

Region: Heathcote
RRP: $40
Source: Sample

www.vineamarson.com

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Vinea Marson Sangiovese 2011

Super soft and supple, this medium bodied Sangiovese is in a good place.

Savoury herbs, earth, plums and dark cherries seize control with an ever so subtle suggestion of black tea. Gentle spices are sprinkled throughout. Cherry fruit continues to roll through in waves leading to a silky smooth finish.

It's drinking superbly now and will sit for another five years comfortably.

92/100 - Very good.

Region: Heathcote
RRP: $40
Source: Sample

www.vineamarson.com

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Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon 2011

Delicious!

Preserved lemons, lemon grass and lemon juice. It's a lemonathon! Alive, you get the sense this is still bouncing on the balls of its feet. Bristling with freshness, it fills out though still sits a shade linear. Some poached pear swoops late. Toast and honeyed characters are starting to find their feet whilst the acidity is softening but still is crisp and proud.

Generous in delivery, the finish is long and relentless. Love.

Very good+ but this will move up a notch with another year or two in bottle no doubt.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $45
Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

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Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz 2011

The Hunter was beaming in 2011 whilst most other regions were swimming. Depending on who you talk to it is as good as 2014, though a few more elements fell into line nudging 2014 ahead.

Twenty months in oak (45% new), all fruit was hand picked with 50% stems used.

Aromas of Black Forest cake, tea leaves, dried fig, red and blue fruits and dusty earth. It's a wine which has sat in the big comfy chair and settled in for the evening. Medium bodied fruit is in sync with acid which has hit the chillax button, though it gives every indication that patience will be rewarded with ten years plus ahead. There's a tightness still evident with firmish tannins releasing their grip. Super long to finish.

A fine wine which is quite endearing.

Will cellar for 10+ years.

Excellent.

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $85
Source: Sample

www.meereapark.com.au

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Bimbadgen Signature Semillon 2011

This signature aged release comes with five years under its belt. It's already hit the aging phase and is a little bit more developed than I expected. There are still many aged examples around the Hunter presenting as though they were made yesterday and they have years on this 2011.

Lots of lemon rind and preserved lemons on show. Good weight, that kerosene trait synonymous with age is peering through. There's almost a cheesy aspect the more I look at it. The acidity still has a brightness to it.

Will continue to develop for up to another ten years.

Good+

Region: Hunter Valley
RRP: $50
Source: Sample

www.bimbadgen.com.au

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Mandala Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

I'm not sure why I was sent this sample particularly when the 2013 Cabernet has been out a little while. I would have much preferred to look at the newby but I'm interested nonetheless as this is my first look at Mandala.

The product of a wet vintage I doubt this is the best Mandala are capable of but the bones of a good wine are there.

There's some juicy black fruit and the expected cool climate Cabernet traits are present yet nature has played its part here in a dud year. It just comes across thin in delivery. Plum compote fills out before perky acidity sits up to take notice and just hangs on refusing to move.

Drink within the next few years.

Would I recommend it? No.

Region: Yarra Valley

RRP: $27
Source: Sample

www.mandalawines.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Sticks & Stones 2011

Another intriguing blend sure to put hairs on your chest. If dense, ball tearing wines aren't your thing, you'd be best to steer clear from this.

Tempranillo, Grenache, Souzao, Tinta Cao (60/25/13/2) do the business here.

Dried flowers, dusty earth, pan juices and char aromas. Scratch around a little more and some dried savoury herbs come out to play.

Big and grippy in the mouth. Sappy and puckering tannins steal the limelight. In some respects I feel like I've licked a plate of flour. Those powdery and graphite like tannins just sit and refuse to leave.

I struggled to finish the glass let alone a few sips to taste. Too big for my liking.

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $29
Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Huntington Estate Shiraz 2011

I lined up eight bottles of Shiraz, most of which were from the recent vintages. This was the oldest and least preferred. I gave it plenty of air but it just didn't seem to get going.

Tomatoes; pizza sauce like. Handfuls of dark berries and dry Mediterranean herbs. Even a canned cherry syrup like trait bobbed up. Tempered oak.

Firm robust tannins. Crunchy. Firm acidity too which grabs hold and takes the stage. There's obvious aging potential here. Massively drying and puckering tannin. Some mid plate warmth conceals the fruit a little too much for my liking. One of those wines that needs food to temper it.

Region: Mudgee
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.huntingtonestate.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2011

Here's a little piece of wine trivia for you: d'Arenberg were the first in McLaren Vale to blend Shiraz and Viognier.

From the much maligned 2011 vintage, but here's the thing... The fruit was picked before the rain set in so the issue of the wet vintage didn't so much impact the end result as much as everyone would think.

Crushed black pepper, dark berry fruits and plummy, with some air under its wings it opened up a treat. Made in a mixture of old French and American oak for 10 months, it is quite generous and perches itself on the palate well. Savoury herbs and some cured meat add interest as does a dash of spice. Drying and puckering to finish.

Well priced. I'd happily go back for another glass. And I did.

Very good.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $29 

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Merlot 2011

I really like the weight of this wine. There's lots of savoury things about it too. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec (77/19/4).

Deliciously smooth; plums, chocolate and cassis all playing a neat tune. As time passes a whiff of purple flowers starts to emerge. Hello black olive. That savoury thing then rolls through headed by clove then a smoke like character wanders on by. And that really sums up the what is happening here... as time passes more layers are revealed.

Juicy tannins to finish and a length which is perched nicely. Fabulous drinking; it's hard to not keep going back.

Drink now or keep for the medium term.

Very good.

Region: Margaret River

RRP: $27.50

Source: Sample

www.leeuwinestate.com.au

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