Reviewed: 20th January 2014
Jericho – Sauvignon Blanc – Fume – 2013 (17.5+). Lemony fruit to the fore here, with grassy notes and a touch of spice. This has a delicious palate, with gentle creaminess combined with lemony freshness and focused minerality on the finish. Nice acidity combines with complex, barrel fermentation characters. Excellent length and balance!
Lindeman’s – Semillon – Bin 1155 – 2011 (17- 17.5). Very pale colour. This is a smart wine of some quality, though the whole package is very restrained at present. It is on the palate that the quality of this wine becomes apparent, with lemon and lanolin. The mouth-feel and depth are spot on. Just give it 5 – 10 years. $30.
Deen De Bortoli – Semillon – Vat 5 – Botrytis – 2009 (17). Pungent (glorious) nose that is packed full of ripe apricot, with nutty overtones. The palate is viscous and dense, with decent power and length. Just needs a little more acidity to really set the palate alight, but at around $13, this is mighty drinking.
De Bortoli – Pinot Noir/Chardonnay – Windy Peak – NV (16.8). Gentle richness here, coming from the red fruit characters. The palate is lively, balancing fresh, apply characters with just enough yeasty notes to make this quite interesting. Good length and excellent acidity make this an excellent quaff. Value at $15.
De Bortoli – Chardonnay – Sacred Hill – 2013 (16.3). Quite a complete wine that has real interest. Quality, lemony fruit with some depth on the palate combines nicely with a savoury twist. This is in no way a great wine, but it actually tastes like chardonnay and is a bargain at $7.