April 2016 Wine Reviews Part 5

Below are my notes on the fifth batch of wines that I have been lucky enough to taste so far in April 2016. This batch includes the wines tasted at Wine Exchange Asia‘s Clarendon Hills Brookman Vineyard Vertical Tasting where we tasted the 2005, 2006 & 2007 vintages of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah produced from the vineyard.

What have you been tasting?

From this batch my favourites are the:

  • 2005 Clarendon Hills Brookman Merlot
  • 2010 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
  • 2006 Clarendon Hills Brookman Syrah
  • 2006 Clarendon Hills Brookman Cabernet Sauvignon

The Wine Reviews

wdt_ID Wine Photo
1 Name: Villa Sandi Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore Millesimato
Vintage: 2014
Region: Valdobbiadene, Treviso, Veneto, Italy
Varietal: Glera
Alcohol: 11%
Colour: Pale straw
Bead: Small persistent bubbles
Aroma: Pleasant mix of apple and flora aromas
Palate: Refreshing, dry
Finish: Medium

Comment: Another good quality Prosecco at a very reasonable price. A refreshing wine to start a dinner.
2 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2005
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Dark brick red
Aroma: Pleasant mixture of cherry, blackberry, spice and hints of chocolate aromas
Palate: Medium / full-bodied, stylish
Tannin: Silky
Finish: Long

Comment: What a great wine, for me it was the wine of the night at Wine Exchange Asia's 2016 Brookman vertical. Shows that patience with Clarendon Hills wines is definitely worth it. The Brookman also shows how good Merlot can be as a standalone varietal.
3 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2006
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Mixture of plum, blackberry and cigar aromas
Palate: Medium / full-bodied
Tannin: Fine
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: Enjoyable, but, IMHO still needs more time to develop.
4 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2007
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Merlot
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep purple
Aroma: Combo of blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry and pencil shavings aromas
Palate: Medium / full-bodied
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Medium-long

Comment: IMHO, this needs a number of years to mature, has the signs that it will repay patience.
5 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2005
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep brick
Aroma: Mix of blackberry, blackcurrant, spice and cedar aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, balanced
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Long

Comment: Drinking well now, but a couple more years of patience will probably see it reach its peak.
6 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2006
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Perfumed combination of blackberry, plum, cherry and spice aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, lush, balanced
Tannin: Fine
Finish: Long

Comment: Of the 3 Brookman Cabernet Sauvignon tasted at the 2016 Wine Exchange Asia Brookman vertical this was my favourite. It has evolved quicker than the 2005. Drinking well now, IMHO may have a couple more years until it reaches it peak if you can wait!
7 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2007
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Mix of blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla and mocha aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, balanced
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Long

Comment: Enjoyable, but, IMHO, needs a few more years until it peaks.
8 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2005
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Syrah
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Medium deep crimson
Aroma: Bouquet of cherry, blackberry, spice, black pepper and a subtle hint of leather aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, concentrated, balanced
Tannin: Fine
Finish: Long

Comment: Enjoyable, drinking well now, still has more improvement in it, nice long finish
9 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2006
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Syrah
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep purple
Aroma: Complex mix of blackberry, blueberry, mocha and vanilla aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, complex, balanced
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Long

Comment: Great wine, drinking well now. IMHO it has a long life ahead of it and will repay patience.
10 Name: Clarendon Hills Brookman
Vintage: 2007
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
Varietal: Syrah
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep purple
Aroma: Earthy combo of cherry, blackberry, mocha and spice aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, concentrated, balanced
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Long

Comment: Good wine, needs more time has a long life ahead of it, will definitely repay patience.

Oz’s Wine Reviews

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Clarendon Hills Brookman Vineyard Vertical Tasting

Pics from the Clarendon Hills Brookman Vineyard vertical tasting, a fun night. Always interesting to compare three vintages of the same wine at the same time, even better when you get to try three different vintages of three different wines from the same vineyard. Another great Wine Exchange Asia tasting at New Ubin Seafood.

Wine Reviews

Cheers!

2 thoughts on “April 2016 Wine Reviews Part 5

  • May 7, 2016 at 8:34 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Oz,
    I like stand-alone wines much more than cuvées.
    So, this Brookman 2005 Merlot sounds very interesting to me 😉
    Best regards,
    Michael

    Reply
    • May 7, 2016 at 8:44 pm
      Permalink

      Clarendon Hills do a great job, hope you get a chance to try it

      Reply

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