22 February 2011

The discussion at this tasting revolved around what it is, exactly, that makes a good wine. In particular, the question posed was whether it is the fruit characters or the textural components that are most important.

My personal view is that both are vital. Without appropriate texture and mouth-feel, great fruit lacks structure and balance. Sometimes, these wines can be referred to as fruit bombs. Conversely, I have tried superbly textured wines that have given me no joy to drink as the fruit has been subdued to the point of not existing at all. No amount of physiologically ripe tannins can make up for a lack of nicely rounded fruit.

In short, the best wines have ripe, though restrained fruit with a silky texture. The mouth-feel needs to be seamless and the length and persistence spot on. As you would expect, the Moss Wood fits the bill perfectly. At a more affordable price point, the Penley Estate – Phoenix is a very good example.

Reviewed

Moss Wood – Cabernet Sauvignon – Moss Wood Vineyard – 2008 (18-18.5). Very dense fruit. This wine is brooding. Some blackcurrant, cedar and spice slowly emerge from the glass. Hints of coffee and roast meat too. Incredibly dense palate. The fruit has tremendous power, but remains refined and elegant. The length is outstanding as are the textural components that make the mouth-feel superb. The oak is very tightly bound and the palate virtually seamless. Just bottled, so the faint smell of esters should dissipate rapidly.

Bests – Shiraz – Bin 0 – 2008 (18). Powerful aromas of anise, tar, blackcurrant and cassis, with fine spice and pepper running across the top. The palate is silky, refined and elegant with plum and textural components. Quality fruit and sophisticated winemaking in evidence. 10yrs +.

Penley Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve – 2008 (18). There is powerful fruit on the nose, though the aroma profile is quite different to the Moss Wood. There are minty notes, but there are savoury, almost earthy notes that add complexity. The palate is rich, dense and displays a touch of viscosity. Very textured, this is a meal in itself. A very impressive wine, but perhaps not as easy to drink as some here. This could be described as a blockbuster. 15% alcohol, but does not show any heat.

Penley Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Phoenix – 2009 (17.8). Blackcurrant, cherry and cigar box on a really deep smelling nose. An inky wine with quality fruit. The fine grained French oak and supple tannins are holding the fruit back somewhat, so give it some air before drinking. Fine and dense, this will do well with a bit of age. Not as powerful as the Reserve, and better drinking as a result. (Received unanimous support from the panel).

Bird in Hand – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2009 (17.7). Much more restrained and fine than some here. There are typical cabernet fruit characters on the nose. Long, solid, closed and dense, there is potential here. There is a hint of dried sage and forest floor fruit. Good length.

Oakridge – Chardonnay – 2009 (17.6). Impressive wine. The nose is complex and inviting with quality wine-maker’s inputs such as barrel fermentation, aging on lees and maturation in oak. Think melon and grapefruit with creamy oak aromas. The lees, barrel ferment and oak all combine to provide a very textured palate. Quality fruit and oak, this just needs a year or two to open up.

Bests – Riesling – 2010 (17.5). Lovely fragrant, even floral, fruit aromas with some passionfruit, musk and lime. Bright and focused palate that is extraordinarily fine. Good length with enough weight to carry the palate. A powerful wine with a slightly chalky mouth-feel.

The Yard – Cabernet Sauvignon – Riversdale Vineyard – 2009 (17.2). Quite concentrated and dense, though there is lifted sweet fruit on the nose. This is a structured wine that is dense, ripe and long. The integration of fruit and oak is excellent. A serious wine that will benefit from bottle age.

Geoff Weaver – Sauvignon Blanc – Ferous – 2009 (17). Lemon and lanolin aromas with some barrel ferment/lees complexity. This is quite a restrained wine with lemony fruit on the palate with a touch of grapefruit.

Greed Sheep – Cabernet Sauvignon – Barrel Select – 2008 (16.9). Forward and fruit driven with a touch of herbal/medicinal notes. Generous palate is very pleasant. This is an easy drinking wine with plenty of appeal.

Juniper Crossing – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2008 – (16.7). Sweet ripe fruit with aromas of mint, eucalypt, redcurrant and cherry essence. The palate is silky but the very fine tannins (fruit and oak) dominate the finish at present. Smart wine.

Sarantos – Merlot – Soft Press – 2008 (16.7). Complex aromas of earth, mixed with vibrant red fruits and spice. The palate is quite lean and linear. Nothing wrong here, just a pleasant easy drinking red.

Bird in Hand – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – Two in the Bush – 2009 (16.5). More density to the fruit on this wine. Fleshy, juicy and round, the flavours tend towards the (slightly stewed) plum spectrum. Generous and easy drinking.

Bunn – Cabernet Sauvignon – Preservative Free – 2006 (16.5). Very concentrated fruit but the colour is starting to turn on the edge. Has a sweet and sour component, with tobacco, tomato leaf and Chinese five spice. Obvious cool climate fruit on the palate, this is dense and savoury. Not really my cup-of-tea, but interesting. Holding up well and worth a look if you are after a preservative free wine.

Louis Latour – Pinot Noir – Marsannay – 2008 (16.5). Fragrant and floral, with dried herbs and strawberry fruit. This is a very light and fresh wine with a structure akin to a rose. A pretty wine that is juicy and mouth-watering. Will take food well.

Sandalford – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – Element – 2009 – (16.4). Peppermint oil on the nose to start. There is also licorice, with tar and earthy aromas. The palate continues the theme with almost chocolate fruit. A very soft and generous finish makes this an excellent everyday red.

Sandalford – Merlot – Element – 2008 (16). Ripe and forward, with slightly stewed plum fruit. A generous wine that is made for immediate consumption. Typical of this style of wine.

Penley Estate – Merlot – Gryphon – 2009 (16). Mint and a touch of eucalypt with cedar and tobacco leaf accents. The grippy palate shows pleasant fruit underneath.