March 2016 Wine Part 3

Below are my notes on the third batch of wines that I have been lucky enough to taste so far in March 2016.

From this batch my favourites are the:

  • 2007 Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay
  • 2014 Sequillo Swartland White Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdellho, Palomino
  • 2001 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz
  • 2001 Seville Estate Reserve Shiraz

The Wine

wdt_ID Wine Photo
1 Name: Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard
Vintage: 2007
Region: Kumeu, Auckland, New Zealand
Varietal: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: Bright golden straw
Aroma: Elegant perfumed mix of grapefruit, citrus, lemon and lime
Palate: Crisp and refreshing
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: Another great Chardonnay from Kumeu River. Still very bright and youthful, will continue to improve with age. Well worth a look or four!
2 Name: Felton Road Bannockburn
Vintage: 2013
Region: Bannockburn, New Zealand
Varietal: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14%
Colour: Bright straw
Aroma: Grapefruit, peach and French oak, possibly marzipan
Palate: Medium-bodied with an abundance of fruit and a mineral / chalky finish
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: Very nice wine, not as good as the Mate's Vineyard, but still worth a look.
3 Name: Sequillo Swartland White
Vintage: 2014
Region: Swartland, Paardeberg Mountain, South Africa
Varietal: Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdellho, Palomino
Alcohol: 14%
Colour: Golden straw
Aroma: Fragrant combination of peach, almond, honey and vanilla
Palate: Full-bodied, savoury and balanced
Finish: Medium - long

Comment: Great wine, lots of fruit with a great finish. Interesting mix of grapes, my first Clairette Blanche.
4 Name: Cremes Gaja
Vintage: 2014
Region: Langhe DOC, Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Dolcetto 50% e Pinot Nero 50%
Alcohol: 13%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Cherry, blackcurrant and plum
Palate: Complex and balanced
Tannin: Silky
Finish: Long

Comment: Interesting wine, enjoyed it, drinking well now.
5 Name: Katnook Estate Odyssey
Vintage: 2004
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Plum, oak, mocha and vanilla
Palate: Full-bodied structured and balanced
Tannin: Smooth
Finish: Long

Comment: Very enjoyable wine that has evolved nicely and will continue to for a few more years. Definitely worth a look. Obviously some bottle variation as my last tasting of this wine was not as enjoyable.
6 Name: Suckfizzle
Vintage: 2003
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep garnet
Aroma: Fragrant mixture of blackcurrant, mocha, herbal and spice aromas
Palate: Balanced and structured, a bit of fun
Tannin: Savoury
Finish: Long

Comment: A good example of Margaret River Cabernet, definitely a great BBQ wine. Drinking well now.
7 Name: Kaesler The Bogan
Vintage: 2004
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Varietal: 98% Shiraz 2% Viognier
Alcohol: 15%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Earthy combination of blackcurrant, plum, vanilla, spice and cedar
Palate: Full-bodied with a sweet finish
Tannin: Silky / smooth
Finish: Long

Comment: Another great Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, aging gracefully, still has more years in it.
8 Name: Requiem Ribera Del Duero
Vintage: 2012
Region: Ribera de Duero, Spain
Varietal: Tempranillo
Alcohol: 14%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Blackberries, tobacco and cherry aromas
Palate: Full-bodied, structured and smooth
Tannin: Silky
Finish: Long

Comment: A decent Tempranillo, silky tannins with an enjoyable long finish.
9 Name: Seville Estate Reserve
Vintage: 2001
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Varietal: Shiraz
Alcohol: %
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Cherry, blackcurrant, spice and a hint of dark chocolate
Palate: Balanced and structured
Tannin: Smooth
Finish: Long

Comment: A great wine, really enjoyed this. A good example of an Australian cool climate Shiraz. Hope I get to try this again, soon!
10 Name: Fox Creek Reserve
Vintage: 2001
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Varietal: Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep crimson
Aroma: Aromatic blend of blackberry, spice, plum and liquorice
Palate: Full-bodied balanced palate with a subtle dark chocolate finish
Tannin: Smooth
Finish: Long

Comment: IMHO McLaren Vale is one of the regions in South Australia that does not get enough recognition, Fox Creek is one of the best wineries in the Vale and their Reserve wines are usually very good, this was no exception, loved the finish.

Oz’s Wine Reviews

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Cheers!

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