Tim Adams Wines
Barry Weinman: 21st May 2023
Wandering through my local Dan Murphy recently, I was pleasantly surprised to see some excellent value wines in the “cellar release” section.
Bargains included Leeuwin Estate’s superb 2010 Art Series Cabernet ($88), the dense and powerful 2012 Reynella Basket Press Cabernet ($40) and the 2015 Riesling from the ever-reliable Tim Adams.
The latter was the catalyst for this current tasting, as it allowed the panel to compare the current release with the aged wine, as well as looking at a few of the current release reds.
The overwhelming view of the panel was that these wines represent very good value indeed, especially given they can be picked up for little more than $20.
Reviewed
Tim Adams – Riesling – 2022. Taut, steely and intense, with lemony fruit and gentle toast adding depth. This is not a delicate wine; it is a powerhouse of intense citrus and mineral notes. The finish is textured and has density of fruit. This could handle almost any food that you throw at it. 94pts – $22.
Tim Adams – Riesling – 2015. Very similar profile to the 2022, but here the toasty complexity has been ratcheted up a notch and the colour is a little more golden. The palate is rounded and has softened enough to make this a great drink. Yet there is a backbone of acidity that keeps things fresh. Experience suggests that this is in a shy phase of its development and should evolve and become more expansive in a few years. 93pts – $25.
Tim Adams – The Fergus – 2017. A grenache based blend. This is dense, yet quite compact at this early stage in its development. There are plum and spice notes, with just a touch of mint on both the nose and the palate. The finish is most impressive, with the fruit lingering and the tannins and oak adding depth and texture. A versatile wine that could be enjoyed any time over the next 10 years. 93pts – $22.
Tim Adams – Shiraz – 2019. This is a crowd pleaser. Ripe fruit has been handled beautifully in the winery. This is full of rich berry goodness, supported by plum and just a touch of menthol. Supple oak and graphite-like tannins add texture, whilst the acidity supports the fruit, keeping everything fresh and lively. Not overly concentrated, but a few years should see this flesh out if you so desire. Nevertheless, this is good to go straight out of the bottle. 93pts – $22.