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Camino Wine Co Chardonnay 2024
When I hear the suggestion that white wines don't need decanting, I don't entirely subscribe to it. Some whites would absolutely benefit from the opportunity to open up, and this Camino Wine Co Chardonnay is a perfect example. Sourced from two Adelaide Hills vineyards, the fruit was whole bunch pressed and sent to barrel where it underwent wild yeast fermentation before spending eight months in seasoned French oak. The shift on day two of tasting was significant due to being open that bit more. It was tense with some curious aromas initially, but time gave life to yellow grapefruit, lemon meringue, and lemon curd. Nougat creaminess and almond nuttiness play a shy hand with some old school lemonade acidity for good measure, leaving a sherbety tang to muse over. Mind you, I'd recommend having this with food to handle that energetic acidity. Think temupra prawns or even a classic Schnity. 90/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views50-1502490-94ptsadelaide-hillschardonnay - news
Colmar Estate Block 4 Syrah 2024
A brand new wine in the Colmar Estate stable, owner Bill Schrapnel has always been obsessed with Mosel, Alsace and Burgundy, but Côte-Rôtie has always made him curious. So here we are, his take on Syrah from his little patch in Orange. An early ripening clone was tracked down, so the R6WV28 landed, and these are the first Syrah/Shiraz vines of the sort to call Orange home. Uplifting aromas of red petals, cherries, plums, blackberries and red apple skin get the juices flowing. Its shape and presence ooze cool-climate Syrah. Noticeably youthful given the tension and firmish presence initially through the palate, it doesn't reach out on the palate as much as hoped. Mind you, I can't help but ponder where this is going, particularly as the vines mature in time. Earthy notes, Dutch cocoa, black pepper, and black tea build further appeal with sooty tannins and fine warming spices adding a comfort factor. Black book this Syrah. Those vines will pay grand dividends in time. 91/100 Regio
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views50-1502490-94ptsorangeshirazsyrah - news
Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2025
One of those wines I'd rather drink than review, what a sheer delight this Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Grenache is! From a low-yielding site in the Barossa sub-region of Vine Vale, the vines were planted in 1956. Only 6% whole bunches were used this time, with 18% new French oak for 10 months. Quite the opening awaits with scents of lavender, violets and grape bubblegum. Alive and vibrant through the palate, raspberry rope, squishy blueberries and ripe raspberries build an attractive flavour profile with a severe magnetism that is hard to resist. Devilishly medium-bodied, flecks of orange peel make themselves known, adding further appeal. Dangerously silky, the tannins are fine with a slight silty presence. An easy recommendation. Excellent stuff! 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $54 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views50-1502595ptsbarossagrenache - 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)3 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)4 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleyshiraz - news
Camino Wine Co Centenary Vines Grenache 2024
Devilishly rounded and curvaceous on the second day of tasting, give this Camino Wine Co Grenache a decant before diving in. Give it that grace and you'll be in heaven. Sourced from a 1912 planted Lyndoch vineyard in the Barossa's south, Jason Barrette has access to some excellent parcels. This 2024 carries on from where the 2023 left off. I was quite impressed by that release, and we come back for much of the same joy and the delish factor. It kicks off like a working-class Grenache of sorts with a rustic edge, yet it waltzes with royalty with some air under its wings. Be sure to give it that time. Made with 25% whole bunches, dive into a pool of raspberries, mulberries, cherries, raspberry rope, and cola with flecks of orange peel skimming the surface. Some pan juices and charcoal add some savoury appeal as woodsy spices curl around the palate, driving the moreishness. Firmish, cocoa tannins have the last word, but all I want is to dive back in. Clever stuff. Big love. 9
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views50-1502490-94ptsbarossagrenache - 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)3 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleychardonnay - news
Kilikanoon Baudinet GSM 2024
Stand and applaud. That's the only reaction required with this excellent GSM from Kilikanoon. A treat for the senses and taste buds, I never wanted it to end. Each component (61/25/14) is fermented separately, then sees French oak for 15 months (10% new). Juicy raspberries, squishy blueberries and berry pie aromas make it impossible to escape its grasp. Dark chocolate, dusty earth, dried herbs and the faintest lick of orange peel add layers of interest that fold into one another with sublime ease. Each component pulls its weight yet comes together in precise unison. A ripple of fine spices reaches throughout as silky tannins have the last word and elevate the moreishness. An excellent wine and a superb example of the Grenache Shiraz Mataro blend. 95/100 Region: Clare Valley RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1502495ptsblendsclare-valleygrenache - news
Lane's End Chardonnay 2024
This is my first look at a wine from Macedon Ranges producer Lane's End, and I'm in love. This is a modern Chardonnay that offers much to consider and muse over. Winning! From 40-year-old vines grown 580 metres above, the fruit was whole bunch pressed with 50% seeing malolactic fermentation. Left on gross lees for 10 months in French oak (25% new), it was bottled without fining. The fluency and shape are captivating. White-fleshed nectarines, pear juice, green apple skin, pie apple, and lemon juice produce a layered and detailed opening, ensuring there is much to embrace. Lemon meringue and a fine cashew nuttiness ride on their coattails with a delicate tonic-like texture. Ribbons of fine creaminess unfurl, upping the interest factor before waves of soft ginger spices tickle a persistent finish. It's a wine that grows on you, be warned. However, be sure not to serve it too cold so its beauty can be expressed in its entirety. Go here. 94/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: 
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4 views50-1502490-94ptschardonnaymacedon-ranges - news
Lyons Will Gamay 2025
A captivating mouth perfume of lavender and violets has me fixated. Silky, slinky and damn slurpable, a glorious introduction awaits from this Lyons Will Gamay. Made with 40% whole bunches and sitting on skins for 3 weeks, it sees nine months in seasoned French oak. Blue and purple fruits cascade with ease. Raspberry rope and orange peel jostle for attention with a fine sprinkle of dried herbs. A lick of eucalyptus emerges after a couple of days and speaks of the landscape from which it was born. Svelte, this is a wine that is incredibly delicate and seductive as superfine tannins move and sway about with ease. The 2024 was magical, but I see this 2025 perched just a notch behind. Still, it's an excellent expression of Gamay in its own right. 94/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1502590-94ptsgamaymacedon-ranges - news
Lyons Will Chardonnay 2025
Considered, layered and detailed, it's an easy task to top up your glass when this Lyons Will Chardonnay is within reach. Careful fruit selection is 70% destemmed, crushed and pressed with the remaining 30% whole bunch pressed. Wild yeast fermentation takes place in barrel (15% new), where it sits for nine months on lees going through 100% malolactic fermentation. Lyons Will wines are never short on interest. This opens with notes of flint and gun smoke, white fleshed stonefruit, custard powder, tonic, pineapple husk and old school lemonade. That detail flows seamlessly to the palate where it is framed by a delightful creaminess - vanilla slice and Greek yoghurt lead the way. A wine that is well structured and flows with seductive ease, a dash of ruby grapefuit adds to the charming acidity, urging you to return for more. Simply, it's a beautiful drink. 93/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: $54 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&nbs
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1502590-94ptschardonnaymacedon-ranges - news
First Drop Forza Nebbiolo 2018
With some gentle encouragement, this Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo from Firs Drop Wines slowly emerged from its chrysalis. Tame with a muted nose on opening, you need to sift about to get it going. Dried purple petals and lavender eventually mustered up the courage to get things underway. Tight through the mid-palate, it really hit its straps on the third day of tasting, which enabled a few more runs to hit the scoreboard. All the varietal things shape up with cherry cola, dried plums and dark cherries met by a slew of savoury delights. Dusty tannins are mid-palate focused and tight, pointing to a long future ahead. But to drink now, a long decant is needed to see it at its best. 91/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4 views50-1501890-94ptsadelaide-hillsnebbiolo