A little comparison between two French varieties made by Mitchelton Estate Wines.

I had a side by side tasting with some friends and the jury was split 50/50 in which they liked better. All agreed both are very good for the price and $50 for both, it is was a great little comparison between two varieties.

The Marsanne was fresh and perfect for that upcoming spring lunch.

While the Roussanne gave a little more power and felt like an older traditional balance of flavours. I think the Marsanne will age for many years and only get better.

I personally liked the Roussanne better, but that was only by the slimmest of margins…simple…

 for the opportunity to taste and review these beautiful wines.

 Mitchelton Estate Wines A little comparison between two

 has to be one of the premier Pinot vineyards in Australia. With the top of the range retailing for about $800, this one is far more budget friendly. At mid $40, it is their entry level but does it live up to the brand or is it just a means to sell 1000’s of bottles?

The 17k is named after the vineyard (which has 17000 vines). I’ve seen it has had mixed reviews but I loved it. Strong, powerful and an interesting profile. This is not an entry level pinot or some quick grab to sell some bottles. It is a very good pinot for the price. The problem is that this $40 bottle will end up costing me a lot more, as I’ll have to try the reserve and premium one now…simple…

Needs a decanter and time to open up for the full experience.

 Bass Phillip Bin 17K Pinot Noir 2019 Rating: A- Price: $44

Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s Martins Vineyard Shiraz 2016 is a beaut... serious quality on show here. -

Blackberries and plums, hints of blueberry combined with anise and a touch of vanilla. Fresh, definitely in no way dense or jammy, there’s a real elegance here. The body is full, palate rich, texture perfect, and the fruit shines. Blackberry, plums, dark chocolate richness that’s silky and smooth. There’s oak, American, but it’s extremely well integrated giving the slightest vanilla notes, more complexity than expected, and super velvety tannins. What a ripper!

 Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s

Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to celebrate mid-week. 60 minutes in the decanter and this Shiraz was absolutely signing! Of course it’s on the young side, but there’s trademark Barossa fruit concentration and tightly woven savoury / spicy notes that make it bloody good drinking now. It’s an impressive wine, no doubt about it, wish I had a few more for the cellar!

 Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to

A wise man once said “I like it, I like it a lot”, and that’s exactly how I feel about the

 Brothers Shiraz, named after Malcolm and Colin Campbell, the top-shelf drop from the Rutherglen producers. What’s not to like…  big blackberry fruit flavours, subtle hints of vanilla, savoury, almost leatheriness going on that’s well balanced by the tannin and acidity. No shrinking violet here! It’s certainly at home in glass, or the cellar.

 A wise man once said “I like it, I like it a lot”, and

Things are starting to get a little serious... ⁣

Drink or cellar, that's the question?!⁣

 Things are starting to get a little serious... ⁣ Drink or

To all Nebbiolo fans out there, keep your eyes peeled for this! Here’s a stunning example of an Aussie Nebbiolo by Virago in Beechworth that’s well worth tracking down. It’s the result of five different Nebbiolo clones grown by Karen and Prue, the Vignerons, and a little helping hand from none other than Rick Kinzbrunner. What a riddiculously good set-up!!

On the nose the 2015 shows beautifully lifted florals, cherries, anise, and undergrowth in what can only be described as a heavenly perfume. It steps up a gear on the palate as the dark cherry flavours and bright acidty intermingle with darker fruits and rustic, earthy, leathery notes. It’s  perhaps the best Aussie Neb I’ve had!!

 To all Nebbiolo fans out there, keep your eyes peeled for

​Sorrenberg Chardonnay, you beaut! Easily one of my favourite producers out there using biodynamics to produce stunning wines. Fairly limited numbers made so I’m pretty happy to have grabbed a few for the cellar!⁣⠀

 ​Sorrenberg Chardonnay, you beaut! Easily one of my

I’ve tried some stunning Chardonnays this year; By Farr Three Oaks, Bass Philip Premium, Toolangi Block F, and recently Rochford Premier that are all exceptional in my book. Does it really get better? -

 Is this Australia’s best Chardonnay? - I’ve tried some

If you’re like me and haven’t had the greatest experience then I can highly recommend Campbell’s The Barkley… this is a totally different proposition! It feels like a proper wine, if that makes sense at all. Super expressive nose of dark fruits and savoury spice, big but not “wow here comes a headache” big. On the palate it is rich, opulent, and elegant with a velvety texture. Plenty of ripe dark fruits, blackberries and black cherry, followed by graphite-like, leathery, liquorice savoury layers. One for the cellar, but also very fun now!

 What’re your thoughts on Durif? If you’re like me and

Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and effortless this is a Mclaren Vale shiraz of serious quality with a tannin structure and texture that’s a real standout. All in all, a beauty thanks to the strength of those ancient vines planted in 1892.⁣ ⁣

 Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and

If you’ve ever thought Durif just isn’t for you, give Scion Fortrose a go, it’s bloody great and incredibly smashable especially with this cheeky little Sicilian Pasta dish. It’s easily the best Durif I’ve had to date and from a producer who’s one of my best finds of the year. If you’ve not tasted any Scion Wines, you really should 🍷🙌🙏

 If you’ve ever thought Durif just isn’t for you, give Scion

Vine Vale Grenache, one of the Juniors in the Yalumba line-up but don’t let that put you off for a second. Sweet aromas of fresh wild strawberries, cherries, cola-like botanicals. Thirst-quenchingly moreish, light-medium bodied, on the palate with the red berry fruit profile blending with whole bunch savouriness effortlessly. This will disappear very quickly!

 Vine Vale Grenache, one of the Juniors in the Yalumba

Domain A Pinot Noir 2005 from the Cool River Valley in southern Tasmania...

It’s deep, layered, spicy and savoury all at once on the nose. Age has treated this very well. On the palate the primary fruit flavours of dark cherry, plum and rose petals have begun to integrate into the more savoury side with underbrush and dried herbs. Long, long finish to round things up. It’s a very classy wine. I wish I had a few more left! ⁣​

 Domain A Pinot Noir 2005 from the Cool River Valley in

Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an awesomely dry mineral driven expression with intense citrus aromatics... bloody lovey! 🍷 ​

 Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an

I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie Rizza so bear with me for one more post! It’s a bargain variety here!

Vickery produce some serious Riesling, and despite being the entry into their range this Eden Valley example is about as classic as it gets. Pale straw in the glass with fresh limes and lemon rind on the nose. Intense citrus fruit on the palate, very concentrated and crisp, with lively acidity bringing it all together nicely. It’s light, dry, sweet and sour, refreshing and moreish. A candidate for the cellar and who can argue with the price, cheap as chips!

 I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie

Ever found a wine you’d forgotten about?! -

I’ve dug up a gem during a late night cellar tidy up! Langmeil Freedom Shiraz 2010, made from the oldest Shiraz vines in the world that’re a mere 176 years young. -

 Ever found a wine you’d forgotten about?! - I’ve dug up a

Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine Co, The Standish 2016, does a phenomenal job. This Shiraz is made from fruit farmed by the Laycock family in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. Dan has worked closely with this great vineyard since 2005, with previous releases of  Standish 'Andelmonde’ and ‘Borne Bollene’ coming from this site. Pure pedigree and coupled with his six generations of Barossan heritage means he certainly knows how to make exceptional wines. Thanks Dan! 🍷 🍷 🍷 ​

 Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine

Curtis Family Vineyards Limited Series 2016 Grenache 94 Points according to Halliday… Now that I’ve covered all that’s on the label, points and all (not a fan), this is a superb Grenache… very, very nice. Stunning nose of cherries, florals, thyme and oregano-like dried herbal notes. Medium to light bodied, fantastic blueberry and raspberry notes, Allen’s frog confectionary before a sweep of savoury spices and dried herbs. Fine tannin, crisp acidity and great length round off what is an unbelievably easy wine to drink.

 Curtis Family Vineyards Limited Series 2016 Grenache 94

Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it certainly is. The nose shows the trademark aromas of raspberries, red candies, rich strawberry compote, not overly sweet with a dried herb note to finish. On the palate it’s lush and smooth with a big hit of red berries up front providing great texture and vibrancy. As the fruit fades there are lovely residual notes of earthy minerality coupled with fine tannin providing nice length. Elegant. Great for a Tuesday! -⁠

 Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Rusden make stunning wines. Simple.

This, The Good Shepherd Malbec 2018, fits the typical stylishly beautiful Rusden form. Inky and glass staining with a super aromatic nose of blueberries, cherries and violets. An effortlessly smooth and opulent palate of blue fruits, redcurrants, and touches of spice. All gloriously wrapped in velvety tannins. Flavour for days!

 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Rusden make

I’m a fan from time to time and this is easily the best Rosé I’ve had in ages. Best’s Great Western Rosé is a blend of shiraz, pinot meunier and pinot noir resulting in all-out gluggability and deliciousness.  Everything from the super perfumed and elegant nose, to the stone fruit, cherry, mineral driven palate entices you to reload. This might just be my go to Rosé from now on, it’s that good! -

 Are you a Rosé fan? Any favourites? - I’m a fan from time

Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

 1961 Block. Quite simply, it’s a sensational Riesling by any standard, home or away... end of! Love it 🍷🔥

 Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

 Shadrach 09. Bold is beautiful! Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon that’s  left to sleep and develop for 21 months in predominantly French oak before bottling and a further 3 years in bottle before released. Grant Burge invest a lot of time and effort to make this wine and you can tell! Beautifully smooth with deep cassis, chocolaty, flavor. One bottle was not enough!

 @grantburgewines  Shadrach 09. Bold is beautiful! Barossa

What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week! La Maline 2015, a Barossa Shiraz filled with fruit from the Eden Valley. Most of which is 75+ years old. Monumental blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. There’s a real depth here, awesome. Beyond the fruit it sappy, stalky, and herbal from the whole bunch. Complexity in buckets. A stunning Barossan! 🍷

Tech notes: All fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight. Around 30-40% of bunches were retained; fermentation took place in small open stainless steel and wooden fermenters, with indigenous yeasts. Approximately 1 % pressed Viognier marc was added during fermentation. The wine was raised on light lees in a selection of thick staved 600 litre demi muids, and some barriques; unfined, and bottled without filtration. 🍷 ​

 What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week!

Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious contender for Red of the year. ⁠

Firstly the colour ridiculous. The purplest of purple with a depth and vibrancy that's off the scale. Unashamedly full bodied, but fresh. Beautiful blueberries, spicy characters, in the smoothest of smooth packages with the tannins and acidity there holding it together. Awesomely made. Buy it, try to cellar if you can and if not rest assured either way you'll probably be smiling for a week.

 Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious

By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having recently visited the Mornington Peninsular I thought I should pick up a Farr from the region. Philippa Farr’s 2017 Pinot Noir ought to do the trick and with vintages completed at Bellvale, Bouzeron, Domaine Dujac, By Farr and Purple Hen I’m hoping for a great drop. If you’ve tried it let me know what you think. I’ll let you know either way 🤗🍷🙌

 By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having

I’ve now found the second hardest label to photograph after Giaconda, Jack West’s Western Barossa Shiraz. The 2017 is a quintessential Barossa Shiraz and all the better for it. Dark fruits and dried herbs on the nose. Medium to full bodied Shiraz character on the palate with plenty of plum, blackberry, spicy and slightly peppery notes going on. It’s a smart drop for the $$$, we’ll worth checking out 🙏👍🏽🍷

 I’ve now found the second hardest label to photograph after

Welcome the the cellar Sami Odi 2019. You’re in good company 👏🏼🍷🙏🏼

 Welcome the the cellar Sami Odi 2019. You’re in good

Cracking way to start the week. Cheeky little

 Mataro / Grenache / Shiraz (​54/28/22% blend) providing heaps of pretty fruit and floral notes from the Grenache, deep richness from the Shiraz and a robustness from the Mataro. Loving the berry fruit acidity, supporting those pretty floral notes, raspberry creeping through early and the grippy ⁠tannins providing great texture to the finish. ⁠-

Also, just a little side note... considering the pedigree of the winemakers (ex-Grant Burge) and their experience with some true classic Barossa GMSs it's no surprise that this is a quality drop. You’d be hard pushed to find much better at this price point for sure. Save your time and give this a go it’s a real crowd pleaser!! -

 Cracking way to start the week. Cheeky little

If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella, Relic, Schubert Theorum, or The Standish?

In my opinion these Standish Wine Co wines are amongst the best Australian examples of Shiraz I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across in recent years. With 4 different expressions covering Eden Valley / Marananga / Greenock and a Shiraz Viognier, the only challenge is picking which one to drink!

 If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella

​⁠Now this is how you wrap up a Monday! Paradise IV, one of my favourite, semi-unknown, producers out there making seriously good wines. I heard the vineyard had been sold, if anyone knows let me know!⁠

The wine, Chaumont 2014 Bordeaux blend. Matured in barrels from Sirugue Cooperage, Nuits St George, has a stunning nose. Blackcurrant, cedar and leather, all underpinned with lovely subtle vanilla notes. ⁠It's complex on the palate. medium bodied at best with fine grained tannins and balanced acidity. The fruit, beginning to fade as the tertiary character comes to the fore, is still showing black fruits, hints of blue as it opens. It definitely needs a few hours in a decanter to fully express itself, once open it's a decent, classy drop. For my taste it's at the limit of its aging potential which is bloody great because I now have guilt free drinking ahead! Well worth trying, and I've heard the Dardel and Chardonnay are exceptional as well!⁠