April 2016 Wine Reviews Part 1

Below are my notes on the first batch of wines that I have been lucky enough to taste so far in April 2016. What have you been tasting?

From this batch my favourites are the:

  • 2009 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Sémillon
  • 2007 Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs Grenache
  • 2004 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah
  • 2010 Château Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine Reviews

wdt_ID Wine Photo
1 Name: Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut
Vintage: NV
Region: Reims, Champagne, France
Varietal: 50 - 55% Pinot Noir, 15 to 20% Pinot Meunier, 28 to 33% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 12%
Colour: Bright pale straw
Bead: Tiny, persistent bubbles
Aroma: A bouquet of white peach , biscuits and vanilla aromas
Palate: Fresh, light and creamy
Finish: Long

Comment: Always a good quality Champagne, the tiny, persistent bubbles are a good indicator of the quality of the Champagne, like the palate and the long finish.
2 Name: Brokenwood ILR Reserve
Vintage: 2009
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Varietal: Sémillon
Alcohol: 10.9%
Colour: Bright pale green straw
Aroma: A fragrant mix of lemon, lime and fresh straw aromas
Palate: Great balance with the perfect level of acid and lemon zing
Finish: Long

Comment: What a great wine, still very fresh and youthful, has many years to go, can't wait to try it again!! Hunter Valley Sémillon is, IMHO, the most underrated wine produced in Australia, aged Hunter Sémillons are one of my favourites!

This wine was rated the best Sémillon of by James Halliday in his 2016 Australian Wine Companion.
3 Name: Mount Edward Morrison Vineyard
Vintage: 2014
Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
Varietal: Riesling
Alcohol: 11.8%
Colour: Bright pale straw
Aroma: Pleasant combo of lemon, lime and citrus aroma, with a hint of minerality
Palate: Off-dry, good balance and a slightly mineral finish
Finish: Medium-long

Comment: A very nice Kiwi Riesling, great with spicy dishes.
4 Name: Stonier Reserve
Vintage: 2012
Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
Varietal: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: Bright straw
Aroma: Pleasant mix of white peach, nectarine, lemon, citrus and vanilla aromas
Palate: Medium-bodied, good balance and a lemon zest tang
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: An enjoyable cool climate Chardonnay, very refreshing.
5 Name: Bannockburn Geelong
Vintage: 2008
Region: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 12.5%
Colour: Ruby red, slightly cloudy
Aroma: Earthy combo of cheery / red stone fruit, spice and cedar aromas
Palate: Medium - bodied, dry palate
Tannin: Smooth
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: Not a bad Pinot Noir, unfortunately probably past its peak.
6 Name: Warrenmang Torchio Aged Pressings
Vintage: NV
Region: Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia
Varietal: 62% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Dolcetto
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep dark crimson
Aroma: Bold mix of blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, spice, cedar and a hint of chocolate aromas
Palate: Full-bodied palate, the characteristics of the 3 varietals are evident
Tannin: Bold but not overpowering
Finish: Long

Comment: This is a very interesting wine, a lot of fun. Definitely worth a look.

Made from pressings Pyrenees Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto kept from exceptional vintages over the past decade.
7 Name: Château Larmande Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé
Vintage: 2010
Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux , France
Varietal: 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Rich combination of blackberry, cherry and vanilla aromas
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry mouthfeel
Tannin: Evolving / firm
Finish: Medium-long

Comment: Still evolving, needs more time to reach its peak.
8 Name: Turkey Flat
Vintage: 2010
Region: Barossa and Eden Valleys, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Lush mix of blackberry, spice, tobacco and a hint of dark chocolate aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, great balance, smooth
Tannin: Smooth
Finish: Long

Comment: I am a big fan of Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, they are underrated, lost in the noise generated by Barossa Shiraz. Turkey Flat has been producing a straight Cab Sav from 1994 and sadly the 2012 is the last vintage of this very good wine. Will miss it.

The 2010 vintage is the first vintage where a small parcel of Eden Valley fruit has been used in conjunction with the Barossa Valley fruit.

From turkeyflat.com.au "The 2012 vintage is the last straight Cabernet Sauvignon to be produced from the vineyard, farewell dear friend, you have given us and many friends a great deal of pleasure over the years."
9 Name: Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs
Vintage: 2007
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Grenache
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Pleasant combination of raspberry, fruit-cake and spice aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, nice balance
Tannin: Smooth / lush
Finish: Long

Comment: Great wine, drinking well now, would like to give it a few more years. Clarendon Hills keep on keeping on!

This is an old vine Grenache, the dry grown vines were planted in the 1920's
10 Name: Clarendon Hills Astralis
Vintage: 2004
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Syrah
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Lush combination of blackberry, dark fruit, black pepper, liquorice and spice aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, elegant, great balance
Tannin: Smooth / lush
Finish: Long

Comment: Wow, what a great wine. Not sure that it is worth the price tag, but would NEVER say no to anyone offering me a glass or two of this. IMHO it is starting to hit its peak now. A definite wine to add to the "Wine Bucket List" if you have one.

The Line Up

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Oz’s Wine Reviews

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Cheers!

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