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First Drop The Cream Shiraz 2021
This flagship wine from First Drop, The Cream Shiraz, certainly lives up to its name. Drawn from the best barrels of their single vineyard parcels across Ebenezer (35%), Greenock (25%) and Seppeltsfield (40%), it's a rich, ripe and unapologetically old-school Barossa. Mocha, coffee grounds and hazelnut open the account before a core of dense dark fruit and dark chocolate unfolds, wrapped in liquorice, cloves, cedar and a sweep of exotic spice. Despite the power and concentration, there's a surprisingly lacey quality that carries the wine with poise rather than weight alone. Twenty months in French oak (50% new and 50% one year old) adds polish without overshadowing the fruit. For lovers of generous Barossa Shiraz with a glossy sheen, this is an absolute beauty. Built for today if you must (be sure to decant), but with the structure and depth, it will reward 15 years+ in the cellar. 96/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $200 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe t
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views1502195ptsbarossashiraz - news
First Drop Fat of the Land Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2021
Leaning into its rich pedigree, this Seppeltsfield Shiraz was my preferred of the Fat of the Land Single Vineyard Barossa wines from First Drop. From a site to the north of Seppeltsfield ~285 metres above sea level on clay over limestone soils, this is the largest contributor (40%) to the brand's flagship The Cream . It opens with coffee grounds, mocha, Caramello Koala, liquorice, dark chocolate and Christmas cake in a deeply expressive bouquet. Cloves and cedar add another layer before dense fruit rolls across the palate, planting itself firmly through the middle. An array of exotic and woodsy spices lingers long, framed by quality oak after 20 months in French barriques (50% new and 50% one year old). Built on impressive fruit concentration and structure, this is a cellar-worthy Shiraz that should continue to evolve comfortably over the next 15 years+ 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $150 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&nbs
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views1502195ptsbarossashiraz - news
First Drop Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz 2021
If you're chasing an old-school Barossa Shiraz, this First Drop Wines Fat of the Land Greenock release is right in the sweet spot. It sees 20 months in French oak (50% new and 50% one year old). Proudly showcasing the generosity the subregion is renowned for, it delivers wave after wave of dense plums and blueberries wrapped in rich Old Gold dark chocolate notes. Brick dust tannins provide plenty of grip, while the voluptuous, chewy tannins give the wine real presence and staying power. Bush spices and exotic spices weave confidently through the palate, adding savoury intrigue to all that ripe fruit. It's bold, rich and unapologetically Barossan, never pretending to be anything else. This absolutely nails the style, and those who love generous, full-throttle Shiraz will be in raptures. Bravo! Drink to 15 years+ 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $150 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and&nb
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views1502195ptsbarossashiraz - news
First Drop Fat of the Land Ebenezer Shiraz 2021
Ebenezer has long been a source of powerful Barossa Shiraz, and this Fat of the Land release from First Drop Wines proudly flies that flag. Sourced from deep red clay soils at ~290 metres above sea level, it delivers dense, ripe fruit with layers of mulberries and dark plums at its core. A flicker of redcurrant and cola brings welcome lift, while 20 months in French oak, half of it new, contributes rich dark chocolate brownie notes. Dusty tannins provide plenty of structure, finishing with a drying, puckering grip that gives the wine purpose and promises further reward with bottle age. Of the three Fat of the Land Barossa subregional releases, this feels like the all-rounder, balancing generosity, structure and regional character with confidence. A thoroughly satisfying Barossa Shiraz with broad appeal. Drink to 15 years+ 94/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $150 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn &
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views1502190-94ptsbarossashiraz - news
Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
After tasting through 14 wines from Western Australia's Blackwood Valley region, this Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon was my top pick. Seeing French oak for 18 months, I was absorbed by its elegance and poise. Opening with the savoury tones of black olive, Bay leaf, rosemary sprig and a subtle thread of menthol, these herby characters weave through a core of ripe blackberries and plums. Seductive hints of dark chocolate add depth and warmth, bringing further cause to lean in. Delicate through the palate, dark fruits unfurl with ease. Ripples of spice add structure and complexity with fine yet assertive tannins as a feature. Reminiscent of brick dust, they provide grip and a structural backbone, carrying the wine to a composed finish. Excellent stuff from a region that doesn't get the plaudits of its coastal neighbour, this is a Cabernet worth seeking out and is a standout example of the Blackwood Valley's potential. 95/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RR
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleycabernet-sauvignon - news
St Johns Wine The Terraces Optimus Shiraz 2021
Signalling power and poise, this flagship Optimus Shiraz from St Johns Wine has some regal appeal. Full-bodied, it sees time in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak. Rich and indulgent scents of caramel and rum 'n' raisin emerge and are interwoven with dense dark fruit. Ripe plums and blackberries dominate with a thread of licorice adding detail. The oak influence is clear with cedar still protruding, yet there is enough fruit weight to maintain balance. Despite its formidible 15% alcohol, it manages to avoid any sense of being overripe or weighty. Instead, there is a composure and restraint. Powdery tannins provide tension and grip with an impressive length that clings on for what seems like days. Beginning to show signs of development with a brownish hue creeping in, the core remains vibrant, suggesting many years ahead. For those who enjoy richer styles of Shiraz, this will impress. 95/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RRP: $51 Source: Sample Winer
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleyshiraz - news
Toro Albalá Amontillado 1951 (Decadent Drinks)
Decadent Drinks recently introduced a new series named Decadent Grapes . The first release is an Amontillado 1951 from Bodegas Toro Albalá. With this wine the bottler is venturing into the fortified wines of Andalusia for the first time. Toro Albalá is located in the Montilla region near Córdoba. They are best known for their high-age sweet PX wines, but they have dry styles as well. While most will link the name Amontillado to sherry wines, this is technically not a sherry. It is a separate denomination about 200 km further inland from Jerez. The wine Amontillado was named after this region, it literally means in the style of Montilla. Since their bodegas were so far from the shipping ports, Fino from Montilla inevitably underwent some oxidation along the way, becoming a style on its own. Locals think of this as the ultimate dry style because it combines the characteristic ageing under flor (usually around 8 years) with a (much longer) oxidative influence.It says 1951 but in fact at T
by Ruben19 viewsother-spirits195121amontilladoandalusiabodega-sherry - news
Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Chardonnay 2021
Nannup Estate's flagship Chardonnay rises to the occasion, delivering a wine of depth, character and one to cellar with confidence should you have the patience to do so. The fruit was machine-harvested and pressed to barrel where it remained for ten months. The best barrels were selected for this wine before blending. Generous yellow stonefruit sits at the core, partnered by an array of interest. Think lemon zest, key lime pie, pineapple husk and dehydrated mango with ribbons of pastry creaminess flowing through with ease. Roasted cashews and nougat rise up with time in the glass finishing with oak spices, cinnamon spiced pears and a tense acidity. Quality stuff, particularly for those who enjoy richer, oaky styles of Chardonnay. 93/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RRP: $51 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)20 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleychardonnay