FU Manchu Carignan 2022

 

I taste this and my mind goes back to a McLaren Vale trip in 2020. I learnt that unique parcels of Carignan are all over the district, but most of the fruit is blended away. When allowed to stand tall on its own (which is rare), it's a great drink - just like Exhibit A here.

Dr Plonk FU Manchu Carignan 2021

 

Smackdown Carignan! This is a variety McLaren Vale does well and is getting more and more airplay in recent times. Often blended away, in the right hands it sings. One could say FU if you don't agree... Grab one of these, it's a fab drop.

Yelland and Papps Vin De Soif 2018

 

Lazy weekends, a rough day at work, a thirst brought on after binging all day watching your favourite series - whatever the occasion, this is your weapon for the purpose.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Rosé 2020

These new Glen Garvald wines from Levantine Hill are focused on using varieties uncommon to the Yarra Valley. I must admit, I did a double-take when I saw the makeup of this wine. Apart from Pinot Noir, I thought I was in McLaren Vale.

Yangarra Estate Noir 2019

 

Last year's Yangarra Estate Noir blew me out of the water. A repeat dose of excitement for the 2019 it seems. 

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017

For a three year old release, beguiling freshness brings some absolute smash factor with it. A super juicy and moreish blend.

Brash Higgins MCC 2018

Paella and tapas here we come with this delish Mataro, Cinsault and Carignan blend from Brash Higgins.

Yangarra Estate Noir 2018

It's only April and perhaps we've seen the bargain of the year. Wickedly juicy, one glass just isn't enough.

AIX Rosé 2016

The French know how to summer in Australia. A perfect partner for a warm day, this Rosé is even better suited to backyard cricket. A cracker!

Angove Alternatus Rosé 2017

A dry, Spanish inspired Rosé made up of  Grenache (36%) Tempranillo (26%) Vermentino (18%) Graciano (10%) and Carignan (10%).

Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2016

A good easy drinking Barossa blend of Grenache, Mataro and Carignan.

Angove Alternatus Rosé 2016

A bit of a fruit salad of sorts here. Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, Carnignan (75/18/4.6/2.4) make up the blend. Credit to the wine making team for being so precise with the percentages too - bonus points for the decimals :)

All fruit came from a range of McLaren Vale sites. The Grenache and Tempranillo were co-fermented, and along with the Graciano, all spent 8 hours on skins. The Carignan was simply bled off Saignee style from a red wine ferment.

Spring time picnics here we go. Loaded with red berries and red fruit, it's a dry style Rosé that's fresh and lively with a delectable textural ripple. The fruit kicks through to a sustained finish. Chill it down hard and pour generously.

Drink now and big smiles are soon to follow.

89/100 - Good+

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $22
Source: Sample

www.angove.com.au

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2014

Pour, give a good breath of air and away you go. Such an easy drinking wine - that's the Yelland & Papps way really.

A blend of Grenache, Mataro and Carignan (74/17/9), open your arms to dark berries, some fruit sweetness, plums, and flanked by savoury herbs and five spice. Dig further to reveal barbequed meats, briar, dried rose petals, mulberries on the mid palate and a squeeze of blueberry. A delish length kicks in with serious hang time.

Reliable drinking no question.

Drink now to eight years.

Very good.

Region: Barossa
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.yellandandpapps.com

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Yelland & Papps Vin de Soif 2013

This is BBQ time happiness.

A blend of Grenache, Mataro and Carignan (60/32/8%). Eight percent whole bunches were used as was old French and American oak for 17 months. Not fined nor filtered.

But this is not your average BBQ steak chaser. There's plenty of interest to keep you on your toes. Take the mandarin peel aromas for instance. This is followed by a basket full of berries and even a whiff of purple flowers take shape before lining up a subtle blow.

Lighter than expected, fruit coats the mouth well. An alluring warmth follows before an acid crunch sweeps in finished by juicy tannins.

Drink in the medium term but it's ready to go now.

Good+

Region: Barossa
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.yellandandpapps.com

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Yelland & Papps Vin De Soif 2012

This range of wines from Yelland & Papps is made for drinking now. The grab a bottle and have with your take away type.

For this reason I wasn't that fussed on the wine. It started to hit its straps on day two, a bit late for that evening tipple with a meal.

A blend of 65% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 5% Shiraz and 3% Carignan, the acid balance seemed a little out of whack. After some air and a night to rest up it settled down and was softer and more approachable. Earthy, blood plums, red fruits, a good nip of spice and some oak influence all contributing.

Not for me.

Who: Yelland & Papps
What: Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz, Carignan (12.5% alc)
Where: Barossa
When: 2012
How: $20

www.yellandandpapps.com

Yelland & Papps Delight "Vin de Soif" 2011

A new entry level range by Yelland & Papps, and as with their top brass, this label will also make some noise.

"Vin de Soif" translates to wine to quench thirst.
Four varieties make up the blend, these being Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz and Carignan.

Lighter in the glass than expected, aromas of earthiness, pepper and bark were evident. These flavours move to the palate where plenty of pepper kicks on with spice. Good grip and length finish off a drop made for food and is an ideal match for your BBQ.

A lamb cutlet or burger in one hand and a glass of this in the other...happy days!

Who: Yelland & Papps http://www.yellandandpapps.com/
What: Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz, Carignan (14% alc)
Where: Barossa
When: 2011
How: $19.95

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Smallfry Red Blend 2009

As the name suggests, this is a small winery tipping out some excellent wines from the Barossa and surrounding areas. Having had several of their reds and whites, these wines are consistently good.

This red blend is a fruit salad of sorts - Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro, Carignan and Cinsault. The latter two add a wonderful dimension to the wine both on the palate and nose.

There is something for everyone in this one. Sweetness from the grenache, spice from the mataro, a delicate softness on entry balanced by a rustic harder edge. I really enjoyed what was on offer.

Medium purple in the glass, a nose of some cherry, jubes but also some delicious plummy hints. The palate followed through from the nose beautifully. Wonderful texture, juicy fruit and well balanced. There was an inviting softness but also a harder edge giving it some good punch too. Smooth tannins on a super long finish.

Over two days there was an evident warmth which at no stage was a turn off, but only screamed out for a cold night by the fire or a hearty meal.

I picked this up for a ridiculous $18 - what a bargain. A great drop all round!

https://www.smallfrywines.com.au/