Margaret River Cabernet Masterclass

Barry Weinman: 23^rd June 2018

Margaret River has been blessed with a succession of good to very good vintages from 2007 to 2011. If anything however, the years from 2012 to 2016 were even better, with many wineries claiming to have made their best ever wines from these years. 2014 probably garnered the most praise, yet some winemakers are claiming their 2015 and 2016 vintage wines are even better.

When it comes to selecting a dozen or so of the state’s best Cabernets to put into a tasting like this, we are blessed for choice, with several well-established wineries producing some of the best Cabernet-based wines in Australia (and, perhaps, the world). There is also a new breed of wineries that are producing great wines, making the choice even more difficult.

So the selection below is not a definitive list of WA’s finest. For example Howard Park’s Abercrombie had every right to be here. All wines reviewed however, clearly deserve their place on the list.

The tasting served to highlight both the tremendous quality and the value that Western Australian Cabernet can offer, when viewed on the world stage. With the best examples from France and the USA costing upwards of $1000 per bottle, most of these wines are cheap by comparison (at $500, the exception is Cullen’s Vanya).

The real value starts with the Jack Mann (equal top wine) at around $100, and the wines selling for less than $100 must surely be considered bargains! For me the greatest value was offered by:

• Evans & Tate Redbrook: $40 (2013 vintage currently available from the winery)
• Deep Woods Reserve: $65 (2015 vintage currently available from the winery)
• Leeuwin Estate Art Series: $69 (2014 available from the winery)
• Cape Mentelle: $80 (small quantity of 2014 available from Lamont’s)
• Cherubino Frankand River: $83 (2015 available from the winery)
• Houghton Jack Mann: $100 (though can be picked up cheaper)

A special thanks to the team at Lamont’s Cottesloe for hosting this tasting!

Reviewed

Cape Mentelle – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2014 (18.6/20pts – $80). Dark and brooding, this is somewhat of a beast right now. The palate has chewy fine tannins, is textured, long, and has a defined minerality to the acid driven finish. The fruit really needs time to fully express itself making this wine a 20+ year proposition. Will get higher points in time.

Cherubino – Cabernet Sauvignon – Frankland River – 2014. (18.8/20pts – $83). This wine possesses a degree of minerality that is not often seen in Australian Cabernet. Very long and fine, with the fruit persisting to the close. There is great depth to the fruit and a balance that few in this line-up could match. A charming wine that will be at its best with a great steak if served now, but will continue to improve for two or even three decades.

Cullen – Cabernet Sauvignon – Vanya – 2015 (18.7/20pts – $500). Closed and subdued, this is firm and unyielding, yet remarkably, presents with a near seamless palate transition. Long and fine, but needing years for the fruit to emerge and show of its beauty. Brilliant, but be patient!

Deep Woods – Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve – 2014 (18.8/20pts – $65). Supple blackcurrant and cherry fruit, with hints of spice and a savoury lift from the oak. The palate is refined, balanced and very long. The fruit lingers, eventually giving way to fine tannins that build on the finish. Tasting this superb wine was a near religious experience!

Evans & Tate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Redbrook – 2013 (18.7/20pts – $40). This is a powerful, yet compact wine of great merit. There is seductive blueberry fruit, with menthol and a touch of eucalypt adding interest. The fine grained tannins support the fruit beautifully, with blueberry and spice the main features on the palate. Ripe and focussed, this wonderful wine has great length of flavours. Showing the first signs of development, this wine continued to improve in the glass for some time and is great drinking now (or in 10 years). Unbelievable value for money!

Houghton – Cabernet Sauvignon – Jack Mann – 2015 (19/20pts – $100). Brilliant colour. This wine shows everything good about Cabernet. Great quality fruit, with blueberry, spice, blackcurrant and a hint of eucalypt married to fine grained cedary oak. The tannins are a treat to behold, as they add texture and depth, without detracting from the fruit in the slightest. A truly effortless wine that could be drunk with pleasure now, or any time over the next 20 years.

Leeuwin Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Art Series – 2014 (18.8/20pts – $69). Wonderful wine! Silky red fruit is paired to an almost earthy, textural palate, making for a powerful and impactful wine. Mulberry and spice notes abound, with the fragrant fruit really building with air. Hints of cassis, minerals, and fine tannins carry the palate to a very long close.

Mosswood – Cabernet Sauvignon – Wilyabrup – 2015 (18.6+) A crackingly good wine, with bright, succulent fruit married to souring acidity and fine tannins. Approachable and easy to drink, as the tannins are so very fine, yet this will also develop more depth with time in the cellar. Subtle and elegant, the supple palate has great length.

Vasse Felix – Cabernet Sauvignon – Tom Cullity – 2013. (18.8/20pts – N/A). The perfumed violet aromas are a highlight, though there is a degree of restraint to this wine at present. The palate combines berry fruit with spice, cedar and a touch of vanilla/coffee notes to close. The mouth-feel is amazingly supple and silky, with no rough edges on the very long finish. Great wine.

Vasse Felix – Cabernet Sauvignon – Tom Cullity – 2014 (18.9/20pts – $160). Fresher, tighter and more restrained than the 2013, with prodigious yet fine tannins and ripe black fruits on the palate. This is powerful and intense, but needs years to come around. Really blossomed after an hour in the glass, but is a 20 year+ proposition. Magnificent.

Woodlands – Cabernet Sauvignon – Matthew – 2014 (19/20pts – $150). Blueberry, redcurrant, violets and gentle spice on the nose. This is quite a contrast to the 2014 Tom Cullity, with an explosion of bright red fruits on a palate that is long, silky and deliciously supple, though it does get quite grippy with air. Excellent oak use supports the fruit perfectly. Whilst this is approachable now, this is a 10-20 year proposition.

Woodlands – Cabernet Sauvignon – Russel – 2015 (18.8/20pts – $150). The brilliant ripe fruit is fragrant and supple. There is also an amalgam of savoury notes that add depth, texture and interest. Coffee, cedar and cinnamon all come to mind. The palate is finely textured, with the silky tannins and great depth to the fruit. One of the best drinking wines in the tasting, but also capable of extended aging.

Woodlands – Cabernet Sauvignon – Clementine Eloise – 2016 (18.9/20pts – TBC). Pre-release sample. Remarkable poise for such a young wine. Refined balanced and oozing elegance, the pretty, ripe fruit has been skillfully handled, with the supple oak adding depth and texture. Long, supple and seamless, with blueberry fruit and a touch of menthol. A totally delicious wine that has the depth to age well for a decade or more.

Xanadu – Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve – 2014 (18.7/20pts). Juicy redcurrant and plum fruit over menthol and herbal notes here, reminding me of Coonawarra. The palate is very long, with the fruit the main focus. The oak tucked away nicely, adding textural notes on the close. Not as big as some here, but there is great quality fruit and wine-making on show. Can be drunk now with pleasure, but also very age-worthy. Brilliant!

New Release Tasting – June 2018

Barry Weinman: 16 ^th June 2018

This week’s panel tastings combined brackets of traditional varieties, as well as a selection of alternative varieties that generated a lot of discussion among the panel.

The wines reviewed are all about value, and include a smartly packaged GSM from Angove, as well as a couple of interesting reds from Patritti that are not only great drinking, they are well packaged and very affordable.

Reviewed

Patritti – Vermentino – 2017 (17.5/20pts – $18). A real surprise package, with pretty fruit that is floral and almost perfumed, with musk and tropical fruit notes. The palate is zesty and light, with excellent texture and just a touch of residual sugar to add balance and flesh out the mid palate. An excellent drink for a sunny afternoon with friends, and worked a treat with lemon infused roast chicken.

Shingleback – Shiraz – Davey Estate – 2016 (17.7/20pts – $25). The purple colour is striking. Initially quite closed, but with air, the ripe berry fruit can be coaxed from the glass. The palate is structured, textured and long, with fine tannins cloaking the dense fruit. Gets savoury and chewy to close. A smart wine that will be a treat with rustic food this winter, or given 5 – 10 years in the cellar.Angove – Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvedre – Family Crest – 2017 (17.9/20pts – $22). The rich red berry fruit was a little subdued initially, but this blossomed after a couple of days in the bottle! The dense, ripe fruit is textured and long, with mid-palate minerality, bright acidity and supple oak adding depth. A powerful wine that could be enjoyed with a hearty steak now, but would be best with 10 years in the cellar.

Patritti – Saperavi – 2011 (N/R). When the 2014 and 2015 samples arrived, I thought it a good idea to open a 2011 from the cellar to see how it was developing. Lovely nose where the ripe fruit is perfectly matched to the more savoury characters. Aromas are an amalgam of berry, plum and cherry, with perfumed rose blossom highlights. The palate is initially more savoury, with souring acidity and fine tannins keeping the fruit in check. There is real depth to the palate, but this needs more time.

Patritti – Saperavi – 2014. Unfortunately affected by cork taint.                                   Patritti – Saperavi – 2015 (17.5/20pts – $22). Saperavi is a traditional Georgian variety that was planted by Patritti after a visiting winemaker shared a bottle with the family. Lovely ripe fruit that is at once pretty and refined, yet there is density and weight underpinning the fruit. The palate is lighter than the 2011, and more approachable as a result. Decent length and mouthfeel to close, with a hint of liquorice. Would be brilliant with home-made pizza, but also with a few years in the cellar.

New Release Reds: April 2018

Barry Weinman: 22^nd April 2018

This week’s new release tasting resulted in only three recommendations, but all are very worthwhile.

Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of Singlefile. Their mainstream wines offer brilliant quality at very reasonable prices. The 2016 Shiraz is no exception. A cellar-worthy wine that took two days to really reach its peak.

I was interested to see Langton’s auctioning a quantity of the 2014 Jones Block Shiraz from Paxton. This is a wine that even at its retail price of $40 offers fair value. That it can be bought at auction for under $25 (all fees included) makes it somewhat of a bargain. (It is also good buying from the cellar door at $30).

Reviewed

Snowball – Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc – 2010. (17.7/20pts). Plum, mint and ripe berry fruit shine on the nose. The palate is long and supple, with dusty tannins and supple oak. The fine acidity adds to the texture and balance. At 8 years of age, this is excellent drinking over the next 3 – 5 years.

Singlefile – Shiraz – 2016 (18+/20pts – $37). A wine of  class and distinction that has both grace and presence. Cooler climate fruit showing cherry/berry fruit combined with souring plum acidity. Long and supple, the dense fruit is finely structured and restrained. Just a baby, this needs years to reach its peak.

Paxton – Shiraz – Jones Block – 2014 (18/20pts – $40). This wine has a wow factor. Ripe plum and liquorice, with hints of tar and spice. The palate is rounded, yet focused, with the savoury oak adding depth and texture to the core of lovely fruit. The tannins are fine, but noticeable, so time in the cellar will be rewarded.

New Release Tasting: April 2018

Barry Weinman: 7^th April 2018

We tasted a number of Italian and French wines this week, but a combination of cork taint and old-fashioned winemaking ruled them all out.

What did impress were a number of Western Australian wines. If you are after a bargain, then the 2017 Shepard’s Hut Pinot fits the bill perfectly. A delicious, vibrant, food-friendly wine that can be picked up for around $20.

Moving up the price range, the Windows Estate Chardonnay is a convincing effort, with powerful fruit matched to complex wine-making inputs.

Finally there are two vintages of Cape-Mentelle’s Zinfandel. The 2014 is structured, powerful and suitable for the cellar, whilst the 2015 is my pick of the tasting, offering vibrant, approachable fruit combined with complex spicy notes. A great drink now, but also worthy of time in the cellar.

Reviewed

Windows Estate – Chardonnay – Estate – 2016 (18/20pts – $45). Creamy and complex, yet retains freshness and vibrancy. Curry leaf characters, minerality, struck match and flintiness add depth and texture, reminding me of fine white Burgundy. Judicious use of high quality oak aids mouthfeel. Powerful and impressive!

Singlefile – Cabernet/Merlot – 2016 (17.8/20pts – $25). Mint and menthol notes combined with succulent ripe fruit, gentle oak and hints of spice. A delicious, early- drinking wine that would be great with braised lamb as the weather cools.

Shepherd’s Hut – Pinot Noir – Porongurup – 2017 (17.5/20pts – $25). Very pretty and almost delicate, with vibrant fruit on both the nose and palate. A touch of whole bunch fermentation adds a savoury, spicy component to the finish. Minimal oak and fine acid adds to the mouth-feel and finish. Makes me yearn for a simple roast to keep it company. Don’t be put off by the pale colour, this is a worthwhile wine.

Talisman – Zinfandel – 2014 (17.5 – 18/20). Starts off relatively restrained, but this builds with air to show plumy fruit and liquorice/earthy notes. Fine acids and drying tannins add depth, to a spicy, rich and intense wine. Short-term cellaring would help soften the tannins, but at four years old, this is already drinking well.

Cape Mentelle – Zinfandel – 2015 (18/20 – $65). Wow, this is fantastic. Pristine fruit, polished winemaking and quality oak all combine into a wine that is great now, but will also cellar for a decade. Long and supple, with only modest alcohol (for a Zinfandel), the balance is the key. Builds spicy notes on the long finish, with high quality oak adding depth. 14.5% alc.

Cape Mentelle – Zinfandel – 2014 (17.8/20 – $65). More restrained and taut, with depth, texture and structure. The tannins are firm, yet fine, keeping the whole palate subdued. Needs years, but all the elements are in place. 15% alc.

Winery in Focus: Petaluma

Barry Weinman: 11^th March 2018

Petaluma was established by Brian Croser in 1976. In time, the winery was purchased by the  parent company of Hardy’s, and in 2004 Andrew Hardy took over winemaking duties, and has been in charge ever since.

Petaluma’s reputation revolves around three regions, each with a specific variety.

• Hanlin Hill in the Clare Valley: Riesling
• Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills: Chardonnay
• The Evans Vineyard in Coonawarra: Cabernet Sauvignon

In addition to these three, the winery has produced an excellent Merlot from time to time, and has now added a Shiraz to the range, along with a super-premium Chardonnay from the Tiers Vineyard.

The winery has also launched two new labels. The entry level White Label range and a series of limited release wines under the Project Co Label. And there is also Croser.…

My pick? The brilliant 2016 Chardonnay.

Reviewed

Petaluma – Riesling – Hanlin HIll – 2016. Fine, elegant, and intense with lime, as well as orange marmalade aromas. The palate has the trademark Petaluma richness that makes this a great drink, yet there is enough acidity to guarantee medium-term aging.

Petaluma – Chardonnay – 2016. Very fine and elegant nose, with subtle oak and lees aromas over peach and floral stonefruit. The intensity of fruit on the palate is a revelation, the creamy textural components serving to frame the fruit perfectly. Excellent length, there is an immediacy to the wine that is most attractive. 60% new oak.

Petaluma – Chardonnay– Tiers – 2015. A high impact wine, with more intense winemaking inputs that present as struck match and minerality. There is intense lemon, peach and nectarine fruit on the palate, with the oak adding depth and texture. That said, the structural components shut down the fruit on the close. Impressive power, balance and length, the wine is aged for 9 months in new French oak and undergoes 100% malo-lactic fermentation.

Petaluma – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2013. Opens with intense berry fruit over cigar box and cedary oak. On the palate the sweet fruit is defined by blueberry, blackberry and cassis. A powerful wine where the structural tannins and oak serve to shut down the fruit on the close. One for the long haul.

Brookland Valley Estate – New Release – February 2018

Barry Weinman: 25^th February 2018

Brookland Valley Estate is part of the vast Accolade wine group, which includes labels such as Houghton, Arras and Hardy’s in Australia. Whilst many of the winemaking facilities are shared across the group, individual winemakers assume responsibilities for various brands. In the case of Brookland Valley, Courtney Treacher has responsibility for winemaking at the group’s Nannup winery.

The advantage of being part of such a large group is the ability to access high quality fruit from across the region. This means that Brookland Valley has access to some of the best fruit in WA for both their Chardonnays and Cabernets. This is helped by the fact that Houghton’s Jack Mann and Gladstones are single vineyard wines, so are not able to use fruit from other vineyards.

The high quality fruit, combined with slick winemaking has resulted in some very fine wines. The Chardonnays are aged in French oak for 9 months and undergo wild yeast and malo-lactic fermentation.

Here is a preview of the wines that are about soon to be released by the winery. As this was not a blind tasting (I tasted the wines with the winemaker), no points  have been awarded. Needless to say, all wines reviewed are of very high quality.

Reviewed

Brookland Valley – Chardonnay – Estate – 2017. Restrained, taut and fine, the white peach characters are a highlight. The palate is textured, with supple oak, superb mouth-feel and excellent balance. Very long and fine, this is approachable now, but will develop depth with time in bottle as the wine builds in the glass. 2017 was a cool year, which is reflected in the fine acid balance (40% new oak).

Brookland Valley – Chardonnay – Reserve – 2015. Greater depth and power, with stone fruit, minerals, struck match and malo/lees notes. A powerful, textural wine that manages to show restraint and excellent balance. Superb drinking! From a classic Chardonnay vintage, the fruit comes exclusively from the Brookland vineyard (50% new French oak).

Brookland Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – Estate – 2015. Lighter, brick red colour. The nose is redolent of cigar box, mint, eucalypt and berry (almost cherry) fruit. On the palate, there is fine acid and tannin, with the oak adding depth. Serious, structured, textural and firm, this needs several years to evolve. From a cooler year, the fruit is hand-picked, open fermented and aged in French oak (30% new).

Brookland Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserve – 2013: More obvious blueberry fruit, with mint and eucalypt highlights. The power and density of the fruit is palpable and the palate is textured and finely structured. Brilliant wine!

Bay of Fires – Current Release – February 2018

Barry Weinman: 14^th February 2018

Bay of Fires is a Tasmanian winery located on the Pipers River in the Tamar Valley. The winery produces a range of cool-climate still and sparkling wines under the Eddystone Point and Bay of Fires labels.

Winemaking is led by Penny Jones, a Tasmanian native who has been with the winery since 2013, after a decade at Petaluma honing her skills. As senior winemaker, Penny is looking to build textural components to the wines, to complement the pristine fruit.

This is really evident in the Eddystone Point range, where the textural components really add to the drinkability of the wines, making them perfect for early consumption. As good as these wines are, it is the Bay of Fires range that is really exciting: Pristine cool climate fruit that has been expertly handled in the winery.

Reviewed

Bay of Fires – Riesling – 2017 ($31). The intensity and focus of this wine is impressive. Citrus, spice and musk in a restrained package with texture, mouth-feel and fine acidity that carries the palate. Very long and delicious, the 4.5g/l of residual sugar makes for a delectable wine that is also age-worthy.

Bay of Fires – Pinot Gris – 2017 ($31). Much more taut and restrained compared to the Eddystone, with fine texture and acid. Alsatian in style (aromatic and floral, with the mouth-feel building on the close. A very fine example, worthy of short-term aging.

Bay of Fires – Sauvignon Blanc – 2017. A more textural, savoury style, with grassy notes over the gentle tropical fruit. Would take food very well and has excellent length. The small amount of new oak (5%) combined with some lees stirring/aging add to the mouth-feel.

Bay of Fires – Chardonnay – 2016 ($45). Restrained and elegant, with lemon curd and stonefruit notes. The winemaker’s influences are turned down, but there is still complexity and excellent depth. The supple mouth-feel is a highlight and the wine is sure to age well over the next 5+ years. Barrel fermented and aged in new French oak for nine months, with partial malo.

Bay of Fires – Pinot Noir – 2016 ($45). Serious depth and power to the fruit, though there is an admirable degree of restraint on show. Cherry, earthy notes, forest floor and spice all in evidence. Great balance and excellent length, the oak adding a silky texture. From a warmer year, this sees 20% whole bunch fermentation, aged in French oak (20% new).

Seppeltsfield – New Release – February 2018

Barry Weinman: 11^th February 2018

After 167 years of producing fortified wines under the Seppeltsfield label, the winery has launched a new range of table wines. The initial release is made up of a Riesling, Grenache and Shiraz, all in brilliant new packaging.

The Riesling comes from the Garden of Eden vineyard which sits at an elevation of 400m in the Eden Valley, whilst the Shiraz is from a number of vineyards across the Barossa.

The Grenache was the highlight for me. The fruit came from old bush-vine Grenache from the Great Terrace vineyard, and is young, fresh, fruity and oh-so-drinkable. Made without oak influence, the juicy red berry fruit is the main focus. Whilst perfect for early consumption, this did take a day or so for the fruit to really open up, so a year or two in bottle would not hurt, or an hour in a decanter. Drink at cellar temperature (18⁰-20⁰).

These wines are the first in the new range of wines that will also include premium and ultra-premium wines over the next few years.

Reviewed

Seppeltsfield – Riesling – Barossa – 2017 (17.5/20pts $25). A more generous style, with citrus and even some stone fruit on the nose. There is an explosion of vibrant citrus fruit on a palate which feels just off-dry, resulting in a finely textured and elegant finish. Excellent drinking now, but five years in the bottle will not hurt.

Seppeltsfield – Grenache – 2017 (17.9/20pts $25). This is really pretty. Opens with fragrant ripe fruit that is vibrant and crammed full of red berry fruit. The palate is fresh, fleshy and fun, with cherry, berry and plum-like notes. The juicy fruit is offset by fine tannins and refreshing acidity, with no oak to speak off. Great with a bowl of pasta, or try a few years in the cellar. Drink at cellar temperature (18-20 degrees)

Seppeltsfield – Shiraz – 2016 (18/20pts – $25). A more structured wine than the Grenache, with greater depth and density to the fruit. Ripe and elegant, the palate is textured and slightly chewy, with coffee notes to close. Although quite tightly knit, this represents good drinking, but also offers cellaring potential.

Shiraz – New Release – January 2018

Barry Weinman: 28^th January 2018

Two pairs of wines stood out in this tasting, for both the quality of the wines, but also the contrasting styles between the wines.

Jericho’s Adelaide Hills Syrah is pretty and fragrant, whilst the sister wine from McLaren Vale is firm and dense.

Similarly, the Shottesbrooke GSM is deliciously juice and succulent, whilst the Shiraz is firm, structured and assertive. At $20 dollars per bottle, these two wines represent some of the best value wines that the panel has seen for a while.

Reviewed

Shingleback – Shiraz – D Block Reserve – 2013 (18.5/20pts – $55). The fr  uit here is remarkable: restrained and tight, with the berry and mocha notes needing to be coaxed from the glass. Chewy, dense, powerful and very long, with very fine tannins that build and build. Whilst the balance is exemplary, this needs 10 – 20 years to be at its best.

Jericho – Syrah – Adelaide Hills – 2015 (18.3/20pts – $35). Fresh and vibrant, with pretty, fragrant cooler climate fruit. The supple palate is textured, long and delicious, with the quality oak allowing the fruit to shine. Really well made, this is a medium bodied Shiraz of great appeal.

Jericho – Shiraz – McLaren Vale – 2015 (18.3/20pts – $35). Wonderful wine with ripe fruit, chocolate/coffee complexity and supple oak. Long, refined, supple and fragrant, the mouth-feel is a highlight. Will benefit from a few years in the cellar.

Barossa Trail – Shiraz – St Kitts Vineyard – 2016 (18/20pts – $35). Sweet, ripe red berries, with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. A fine, elegant wine with depth, supple tannins and excellent length. Will benefit from short term cellaring. From the team at Thorn Clarke.                                     

Shottesbrooke – Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvedre – Estate Series – 2015. (18/20pts -$20). Pretty, fragrant and enchanting, this wine has lovely bright Grenache fruit. There are red berries to the fore, with a seam of white pepper from the Shiraz adding depth and texture. Fleshy, vibrant and succulent with decent length, this is great early drinking.

Shottesbrooke – Shiraz – Estate Series – 2015 (18/20pts – $20). Firm, assertive and quite powerful, yet there is a degree of restraint to the fruit. Very long, the berry and cherry characters slowly build on the finish. A well-made wine with great density that could be drunk young, but would ideally benefit from 10 years in the cellar. From a very good vintage in McLaren Vale.

Shingleback – Shiraz – Vin Vale – 2016 (17.8/20pts – $15). A fine, almost pretty wine with juicy ripe cherry and blueberry fruit. The fruit persists on the long finish for some time, with the weight matching the fruit well. Great value drinking.

Thorn Clarke – Shiraz – Sandpiper – 2016 (17.8/20pts – $20). Chocolate fruit in a medium-bodied, approachable package. Plum, cedar and even a touch of spice on the palate, with excellent length to close. A delicious Barossa Shiraz that will be even better drinking with a couple of years in the bottle.

New Release – January 2018

Barry Weinman: 19^th January 2018

Pared down from over 50 wines tasted this week, here are my pick of the new release wines. They all offer superb drinking now, however the Cape Mentelle in particular is very age-worthy.

Reviewed

Thorn Clarke – Riesling – Eden Trail – 2017 (17.8/20pts – $24). Refreshing and vibrant, with fresh citrus notes. The palate is long and supple, with fresh, cleansing lemony acid and decent length. Drinking a treat, this will be great on its own or with food. From Barossa.

Scotchmans Hill – Sauvignon Blanc – 2016 (17.5/20pts – $25). Aromatic, fresh, grassy, herbaceous and zesty, this is a good drink. Reminds me a little of white Bordeaux, with 10% of the fruit fermented in old oak and the extended lees contact adding texture.

Stella Bella – Sauvignon Blanc – 2017 (17.5/20pts). Quite herbaceous, with lantana, gooseberry and hints of passionfruit. The palate is fresh and lively, the acid playing nicely on the close. Good length to finish. A refreshing and worthwhile wine for the warmer afternoons.

Cherubino – Chardonnay – Laissez Faire – 2015 (18/20pts – $33). Attractive floral notes, with gun smoke and struck match aromas. This wine has been cleverly worked, with the smoky characters matched to quality fruit. Excellent length and depth, with a supple mouth-feel and quality oak. A powerful wine for sharing with friends over a meal. From the Porongorups.

Cape Mentelle – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2015 (18.7/20pts – $108). Ripe, elegant and fine with wonderful depth to the fruit. Aromas of mint, eucalypt and blackcurrant, with even a touch of cassis and cigar box. The palate is a textural treat, with the fine tannins and supple, high quality oak adding depth. Very long and fine, with grace and presence, this is irresistible now, but will age for 20+ years.