Below are my notes on the third 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:
- NV Yalumba Museum Reserve 50 Year Old Tawny
- 2001 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot
- 2002 Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2013 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Chardonnay
The Wine Reviews
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name: Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut Vintage: NV Region: Epernay, Champagne, France Varietal: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier Alcohol: 12% Colour: Bright pale yellow Bead: Tiny persistent bubbles Aroma: Bouquet of apple, grapefruit, citrus and vanilla aromas Palate: Crisp, balanced, fresh Finish: Medium-long Comment: A good dry style NV Champagne at an affordable price. Refreshing, just drop to start a dinner or an afternoon |
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| 2 | Name: Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Vintage: 2013 Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 13% Colour: Bright pale straw Aroma: A fragrant combination of nectarine, grapefruit, with subtle oak and flint / mineral aromas Palate: Balanced, complex, fun! Finish: Medium-long Comment: A great example of Yarra Valley Chardonnay at its best, can see why people rave about this wine. MORE please! |
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| 3 | Name: Warrenmang Black Puma Vintage: 2005 Region: Moonambel, Victoria, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 15.5% Bottle: Magnum Colour: Deep dark crimson Aroma: Complex combination of plum, blackberry, dark chocolate, spice aromas Palate: Full-bodied, not overpowering, smooth palate Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Comment: Another one of my favourites, especially when it is in a magnum. Aging nicely, IMHO still improving. Great wine! |
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| 4 | Name: Brokenwood Graveyard Vintage: 2011 Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 13.5% Colour: Dark purple Aroma: Earthy mix of blackberry, cherry and spice aromas Palate: Full-bodied, intense Tannin: Firm Finish: Long Comment: It is almost a crime to drink this wine at such a young age. If this wine is to be drunk at such a young age it needs to be opened and decanted hours in advance of drinking to give it a chance to open up. Starting show the characteristics of a very good Shiraz, IMHO should be left for a few more years. |
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| 5 | Name: MSV Benno Vintage: 2006 Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: 51% Shiraz 49% Mataro Alcohol: 15% Colour: Dark crimson Aroma: Fragrant combo of blackberry, dark chocolate, spice aromas. Palate: Full-bodied, smooth, rich, enjoyable Tannin: Smooth / silky Finish: Long Comment: Always a good wine, love the long finish, rich palate. Drinking well now! |
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| 6 | Name: Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage: 2002 Region: Western Australia, Australia Varietal: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 13.5% Bottle: Magnum Colour: Deep crimson Aroma: Pleasant mix of blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha aromas Palate: Full-bodied, balanced, lush Tannin: Smooth Finish: Long Comment: Another good example of Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Howard Park's Cabernet Sauvignons are usually wines that are interesting and of a high quality and this was no different. The Magnum effect is clearly evident as the wine is improving even after 14 years. 68% of the fruit is sourced from the Great Southern Wine Region of Western Australia, 32% from the Margaret River. |
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| 7 | Name: Henschke Cyril Henschke Vintage: 2001 Region: Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot Alcohol: 14% Colour: Deep dark brick Aroma: Fragrant combination of blackcurrant, cedar and spice aromas Palate: Full, lush, balanced, YUM Tannin: Silky Finish: Long Comment: Great wine, elegant, refined, aging nicely. Really enjoyed this, IMHO lived up to the hype. One to add to the wine bucket list |
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| 8 | Name: Hewitson Private Cellar Vintage: 2008 Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Mourvèdre Alcohol: 14.5% Bottle: Magnum Colour: Deep crimson Aroma: Bouquet of plum, blackberry and spice aromas with a hint of chocolate Palate: Full-bodied, balanced, smooth Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Comment: Another good bottle, well worth a try or two. |
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| 9 | Name: Hewitson Baby Bush Vintage: 2012 Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Mourvèdre Alcohol: 14.2% Colour: Deep purple Aroma: Earthy mix of blackberry, cherry, pepper and cigar aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, smooth Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium Comment: An interesting wine, still developing. One to try again in a year or so. |
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| 10 | Name: Yalumba Antique Rare Tawny Port Age: 50 Years Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Shiraz, Grenache, Dolcetto, Mourvèdre and Muscadelle Alcohol: 21.5% Colour: Deep golden amber Aroma: Bouquet of toffee, maple syrup and caramel aromas Flavour: Full, luscious, balanced, not overly sweet Finish: Extremely long, very enjoyable Comment: Very lucky to get the opportunity to taste this Port. A great example of a Barossa Valley fortified, something that is very Australian. Another for the wine bucket list! The 50 year old antique tawny was made shortly after World War II and is the oldest to ever be released by Yalumba, only 20 cases were released. |
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The Line Up
Oz’s Wine Reviews
