Adam from Fine Wine Partners wanted to show us a cross section of their range, so I took the opportunity to pair the wines with similar wines and see how they faired.
The standout was the St Hallett’s Gamekeeper’s Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet. A great value wine from the excellent 2008 vintage.
The only downside from a tasting like this is the lack of perspective that we get from looking at 15 or 20 wines of the same variety. Still, a good wine is a good wine.
Reviewed
Henschke – Riesling – Julius – 2009 (18). Quite oily to open, with plenty of minerals too. The palate is firm and austere. No rough edges on this, and it has lime juice acidity that is precise and focussed. Granny Smith apple acidity to close. Needs time.
St Hallett – Shiraz/Cabernet – Gamekeeper’s (17.7). Lovely nose, with licorice and tar over white pepper and cinnamon. The palate is fresh, vibrant and displays succulent fruit. Any oak is in the background. Very good drinking.
Ashbrook Estate – Chardonnay – 2008 (17.5). Well supported by the panel. Almond meal and minerals on the nose with some stonefruit notes. The palate is tight and quite austere, yet the texture is excellent. This is a worked wine, but in a refined style. There is fine oak and some lees and barrel ferment notes with a complex and long finish. Not everyone’s style, but an interesting wine that is worth a try.
Wise – Cabernet – Eagle Bay – 2008 (17.5). Elegant and refined. Lovely fruit is typical of cabernet. This is dense and textured and the tannins are chalky yet fine. There is dense ripe fruit and licorice/spice. Serious quality fruit that will evolve well with 5-10 years in the bottle.
Capel Vale – Shiraz – regional Series – 2008 (17.4). Lush and dense. Licorice and spice on the nose. Some chocolate and mocha too. Plenty of pepper on the palate, this is a smart wine. The finish is clean and fresh, developing some pretty fruit characters. Spice and licorice. Acid gives the palate carry, oak needs to settle.
Jackson Estate – Pinot Noir – Vintage Widow – 2008 (17.3). Fresh and obvious pinot fruit characters in the strawberry and cherry spectrum. The palate follows the theme and is elegant and a touch angular. Should flesh out with a few years.
Wise – Shiraz -2008 (17.3). Pristine red fruits on the nose. The palate is firm, but with enough flesh to make for interesting drinking. There is quite a souring finish that should carry food well. Big, round, dense. Tannic finish. Plummy bright fruit.
Seresin – Sauvignon Blanc – 2008 – (17). Another good effort from Seresin. Tropical fruit to the fore with passionfruit and musk. The palate has some grassy notes with fruit salad and fresh acidity to close. Relatively dry. Pungent style but good.
Wither Hills – Pinot Noir – 2008 (17). Lovely seductive nose. Really deep smelling. Black cherries, tar, cedary oak all vie for attention. There is plenty of grip on the slightly stalky finish that shuts down the fruit.
Vidal – Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 – (16.9). Musk, lantana and fresh, floral characters. Fresh and bright, but without great depth. Excellent value. Made by Villa Maria.
Sandalford – Rose – 2010 (16.5). The vivid colour is remarkable. Nice fruit characters on the nose. Juicy and succulent, yet with enough depth to make it interesting. Dry and firm palate with some redcurrant and red creaming soda flavours.
Barwick Estate – Chardonnay – The Collectables – 2009 (17.5). Big, rich and creamy wine in a more old-fashioned style. Broad and with high toned smoky/bacon fat oak. There is no doubt that this is impressive, it is just a style that I do not want to drink yet. Interestingly, after being open for several days, I had another look and the peachy cramy palate was outstanding. Points for potential.