Reviewed 5 April 2011

An interesting tasting with some quite diverse wine styles. The pinots mentioned are all good wines, though the style varies from the lighter Stoniers to the Penfolds Cellar Reserve, which is closer to a dry red in style. In their own way, all are good value.

With the whites, the Juniper Estate semillon is a quality wine that offers an interesting alternative to the grassy semillon blends we see from the region. This wine has more in common with quality chardonnay than a fresh and fruity white.

Reviewed

Henschke – Pinot Noir – Giles 2009 (17.5/18). Quite savoury fruit characters on the nose with some gamey/sappy notes. There is a lovely spice to the fruit on the palate. The acid balance is spot on and the textural components are complimented by very fine tannins. This really hit its straps after a couple of days on the tasting bench. A good each way bet.

Penfolds – Pinot Noir – Cellar Reserve – 2008 (17.7). Lovely perfume here. Ripe red fruits over strawberries. There are also earthy notes with a touch of sandalwood and fragrant spice too. The palate is forward, and the bright fruit needs to settle into the textural components. This is a big wine, with some charred oak characters. A wine to watch.

Penfolds – Pinot Noir – Bin 23 – 2010 (17.6). Deep and vibrant colour. Powerful wine with cherry and spice over leather and earthy notes. This has all the usual pinot characters, though you would never call this a delicate wine. The palate is dense and velvety with some cedar showing through. The complex finish is very long and fine, with excellent texture. The grainy oak needs to settle down a touch before this starts to show its best.

Stoniers – Pinot Noir – 2009 (17.5). More forward cherry fruit compared to some. Clear and precise nose that is very clean. There is fresh fruit on the palate with a slightly sappy, sour cherry finish that is refreshing. Not as complex as the others listed, but there is quality fruit and the wine is well made. Perhaps the most authentic pinot here, and certainly good value.

Juniper Estate – Semillon – 2009 (17.4). This took me by surprise, as the style is totally different. A serious wine that has been worked in the winery. The lemony fruit is complemented by fine vanillin oak. The lees contact has added a creamy component. The palate is rich and textured, though it really needs a year or two to settle down. Fume style.

Deviation Road – Pinot Gri – 2010 (17). Fresh and vibrant, with tropical fruit and passionfruit. There is also a touch of quince paste. The palate is fuller than the other whites here, with just a touch of viscosity. The finish is long and fine, with excellent balance. The length is a standout. A well made wine that is good drinking now.

Cumulus Wines – Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon – Rolling – 2010 (16.7). Restrained tropical fruit on the nose. The palate is rich and vibrant, with a surprisingly soft finish. Whilst this is an easy drinking style, the quality of the fruit is evident in the glass.

Leeuwin Estate – Sauvignon Blanc – Art Series – 2010 (16.7). A soft and generous nose with very pleasant aromatics. The palate continues the theme, with fine talc on the close. A fairly neutral wine that opened up over a couple of days.

Geoff Weaver – Sauvignon Blanc – 2010 (16.5). More interest here. Vibrant and mouth-filling fruit. Juicy, almost succulent fruit with good acid balance and length. Refreshing, yet with enough going on to make for interesting drinking.

The Alchemists – Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon – 2010 (16.4). Good fruit here. Quite a complex nose with lanolin, fragrant talc and gooseberry notes. The palate is balanced and round. Not overly complex, but pleasant drinking.