27 June 2009

The chardonnay bracket proved very interesting on a couple of points. Firstly, the best had a minerality that really added complexity. This character presented as fresh curry leaf. I have a plant growing near the back door, and I have rubbed the leaves many times to confirm the smell. I have seen this now in many top White Burgundies and Chablis.

The other take home point was that although screw caps are much more reliable than corks, there are other factors that can affect the quality of an individual bottle of wine. This was highlighted by the Yerring Station wines. I had very high expectations for these, but they showed poorly on the day. Perhaps it was the way they were transported.

To the wines. The Moorooduc and the La Strada were both excellent, but stylistically diverse. The Moorooduc was rich textured and creamy, while the La Strada was tight, lean and elegant. The 2007 Howard Parks continue to impress. This time it was the Leston from Margaret River that we saw. Finally, I don’t quite get the point yet of a lot of the unusual blends that we are seeing at the moment. May be it is just me but…

Tasted

Moorooduc – Chardonnay – 2006. Serious nose on this. It opens with a touch of vanillin oak. The palate is creamy long and fine. Really builds in the glass and is quite seamless. A rich style that is perhaps a bit dated. There is plenty of barrel ferment and lees work apparent. Was fantastic with steamed fish over dinner. (18)

Howard Park – Leston – Shiraz – 2007. Powerful nose.Some lovely floral – perfume on the nose. The palate is all about licorice, spice and white pepper. Plums and finishes with fine tannins and spicy fruit. Very long and fine and will age well. (18)

La Strada -Chardonnay – 2006. Closed and restrained on the nose but with pure varietal fruit. Curry leaf complexity too. The palate is fine and lean, with minerals and spice. Should evolve. (17.8)

Port Phillip Estate – Estate – Chardonnay – 2007. Opens with curry leaf. Must be good. Complex, with barrel ferment and lees characters in the nose. The palate is flinty with minerality. The wine is complex, with lemony acid. Lovely length and texture. Fine oak to support, but is too young right now. (17.5)

Duke’s – Shiraz – 2007. This was all about Spice with some tobacco to close. The palate is vibrant and spicy, but the fruit is hidden by fine tannins and oak. Just to young. 5yrs (17)

Forester – Shiraz – 2006. Concentrated nose with licorice and plummy fruit. This continued on the palate with more Licorice, plum and cinnamon to close. Well supported by JJ. (17).

Forester – Home Block – Shiraz – 2007. Tasting notes to follow (17)

Two Tracks – Chardonnay – Marlborough – 2008. Closed, > lemon, toasty, textured, zesty finish, long and creamy. (17)

Robert Oatley – Chardonnay – 2008. Creamy but quite lean, > Apricot, Lemon, lanolin and peach. Long but in a lean style. (16.8)

Yerring Station – Coombe Farm – Chardonnay – 2007. Subtle curry leaf and minerals. Complex. >> Tight, balanced, lemony, grippy close. Minimal oak . But adds to finish. Closed. Opens and gains complexity. (16.5)

Schwarz Wine Company – The Dust Kicker – Hunt and Gather – Red Blend – blend – 2007. Cooler fruit here, with some herbal overtones. The palate has chocolate, cherry and plum. Manufactured wine for the punters. (16.5)

Redhouse – Mediterrane – s/tem/sang – 2008. Sweet vibrant fruit. Red fruits and a touch of ripe banana. Red fruits and tar on a moderately long palate. Not complex but a good quaff. (16.5)

Guinea Run – Shiraz/merlot/cabernet – 2007 . Luscious cherry and plum. There is plummy and vibrant fruits, and the dusty tannins add interest. Tarry finish. Tasted twice. (16.5)