5/11/2024 - deverett wrote:

Hadn’t had one of these for a few years and it is crushing along nicely. Well integrated and smooth, black olive tapenade and cocoa, tea and cedary notes and flavours. Well balanced, oak settled in to the fruit, great length and finish with those trademark Coonawarra tannins.

5/5/2024 - deverett wrote:

Look, I like it and it is a very well made wine but I just can’t get too excited. Made in an old school style it feels, fairly well balanced but a little heavy on the toasty oak. Fruit holding up well and tannins fine and thread the wine nicely. Dark plummy and blackberry fruit, black olives, firm oak. I can’t see it improving but I don’t feel it will fall over in a hurry either. Under cork.

4/28/2024 - deverett Likes this wine:

I have always like the Wanderer wines and this one is no exception. Nine years old and still feeling quite fresh with an underlying vibrancy. It is certainly at the more elegant end of pinot, painting in water colours but showing bright strawberries and cherries, very fine and well integrated tannins. Perhaps lacking marginally in length but such a pretty wine, well defined and the bottle disappeared very quickly which is always a good sign.

6/10/2023 - deverett wrote:

This is still in such terrific shape, amazing depth and fruit quality, silky smooth and fantastic drinking. Fully resolved and soft tannins, rich plummy fruit, cedary oak seasoning, touch of five spice and cloves. In great nick for 21 years of age, almost at the end of my stash now.

4/29/2023 - deverett wrote:

Disappointing effort here, felt quite dilute and lacking any real interest which is annoying given the price point. No representative of the high standards of Wantirna. Flavours of ripe raspberries, tomato leaf, cedar and herbs, a very water colour version of Amelia and hoping it gains some depth with a little age but hard to see that happening.

1/24/2023 - deverett wrote:

A water colour of a Pinot here, fine boned but with lots of elegant detail. Pale and maybe just medium bodied, it feels slightly fragile yet it has a balance and length that really works. Tastes of rose petals and red cherries, strawberries and a little five spice. Glides across the palate, one of those wines that feels very easy to drink and offers a fair bit of interest. In a nice place now but will last longer.

1/12/2023 - deverett wrote:

A lovely, elegant and balanced Quintet but for me probably not one of the better vintages. Has all the MM hallmarks; medium weight, cassis, cedar, tobacco leaf and some herbal notes, but doesn’t feel like it has that dintinguishing complexity or X factor that often sets it apart. Feels maybe a little short on the finish for me as well. I wonder whether this was a younger wine to drink or if it has more development to come? Unsure.

1/11/2023 - deverett wrote:

Glorious wine, so balanced and texturally beautiful. The nose is full of violets, cedar, red/black berries and musk. Quite a floral type of wine to smell. Palate is silky, tannins feel quite resolved but just tastes pure and long, fans out with some herbaceous favours to complement the fruit. Beautiful.

1/1/2023 - deverett wrote:

Definitely an elegant style here and feel this one is more of a drink or proposition. Tannins feel very fine and quite resolved, palate only just reaching medium weight, smells of the earth, savoury and leafy, bright red berries and tea. Similar platate, quite light on its feet but with an underlying flavour density that brings length and moderate complexity. Don’t think this is the pinnacle for 4 acres but a lovely contrast to many an Oz Shiraz, this could only come from old vine Hunter.

12/22/2022 - deverett wrote:

Good wine but found it just a bit boring, couldn’t get any real excitement. Well balanced with luscious fruit, gravelly tannins and a medium finish. Has all the hallmarks of nice Cabernet (blackberry, olive tapenade and hints of cedar) but perhaps just completely closed right now, thought it would give a bit more. Not sure if it just needs more time or just is what it is and won’t improve.

12/17/2022 - deverett wrote:

Soft and luscious but with a firm tannin grip, more so than I recall in previous iterations of LW. Has a brightness and freshness though, bunchy dark red fruit flavours, maybe some black tea and liquorice in the mix. Great length and mouthfeel but I keep coming back to those tannins. Lovely as always from Sami Odi.

8/25/2022 - deverett wrote:

How about those beautiful tannins! Terrific grenache, a lighter expression but bursting with roses, violets, raspberries and baking spices. Great length of flavour, drinking well know but the structure should hold this together. My style of grenache

8/20/2022 - deverett wrote:

Wonderful CdP is a terrific place at the moment. Quite autumnal, dark red berry fruit, some forest floor undergrowth, a little kirsch, hints of hard spices (think cloves, star anise etc) and cedar. Didn't notice the 15% alcohol, feels in balance and well integrated, lovely texture as well. Think this will continue to age well, not sure if it will be better but it will evolve and unlikely to fall over any time soon. Really enjoyed this.

7/24/2022 - deverett wrote:

A solid but not outstanding Quintet. Elegant and it felt of the lighter side of medium bodied, a little leafy and probably not the depth and concentration from better iterations. Lovey nose of pencil shavings, bay leaf and tobacco, palate is red fruits, baking spices and cedar. Also didn’t quite have the length I was expecting. Nonetheless, a lovely drinking wine that is in a good window but not sure I see too much more upside from here.

7/19/2022 - deverett wrote:

Hasn’t changed much since my last note over a year ago. Cracking Nebbiolo.

5/9/2022 - deverett wrote:

Stunning wine, so balanced, succulent and delicious. Texturally it is beautiful, tannins a highlight for sure but the ripe core of plummy fruit is the showstopper. There is fennel, spices, black tea and a dollop of cedary oak to complement the dark fruit. Not sure Eden Valley gets a lot better, love this.

4/25/2022 - deverett wrote:

Excellent Chardonnay, nose of ripe stone fruits, vanilla and background oak. Palate has a little flintiness, lemon curd and roasted hazelnuts. Texturally it hits the mark, soft but with mouth watering acidity. One of my favourites chardonnays out of MR each year for the price.

4/23/2022 - deverett wrote:

Really enjoyed this, quite light on its feet but still shows detail and complexity. It’s all roses and cranberries, it is bright and lively, dried herbs, quite autumnal in many way. Lifted acidity and some grippy tannins finish it off. A near term wine for me but very refreshing and enjoyable.

4/9/2022 - deverett wrote:

Thought this may have been a bit young when I grabbed it from the cellar and while it will go for some time yet, it feels in a nice place right now. Medium bodied, savoury and slightly herbal, more in the red/black fruit spectrum, forest floor, hints of black tea and eucalypt. The mataro provides a lovely contrast to the powerful Shiraz but this is no fruit bomb, it has a very understated savoury elegance. Great length and a grippy but balanced tannin profile. Lots to like here.

4/4/2022 - deverett wrote:

Still feels like a young wine, very floral and pretty on the nose. Quite sweet fruited, blackberries, cedar and tobacco, eucalypt?? Needs plenty of time in a decanter to come together. Chalky tannins and a long finish, very good depth and a generous palate. Think this will keep improving and no rush to dive in.

3/26/2022 - deverett wrote:

Another beautiful Standish wine, perhaps not quite at the level of a recent The Relic and The Standish but has all the same hallmarks. Texture stands out as does the purity and fruit depth. More in the dark red and blue fruit spectrum, present oak, red liquorice and plums. It is full but also has a delicacy to it, very fine tannins and great length.

3/22/2022 - deverett wrote:

This is drinking a lot better now, seems to have integrated a lot better and the oak is a bit less obvious. Still has ample weight and fruit concentration but starting to feel a little more integrated and together. It is a full palate, black olives, tea, blueberries and coffee flavour with some vanilla seasoned oak. Not the most complex of St Emilions I have had but still pretty good.

3/22/2022 - deverett wrote:

My last bottle and possibly the best one yet with more age. It isn't super complex or deep, but has enough Bordeaux flavours to keep interest. Smells of cedar and tobacco leaf, palate is grippy but probably a little light on its feet, although still very enjoyable. Good value and has more enjoyment factor with some age now.

3/22/2022 - deverett wrote:

Lovely CdP here, had some good weight and concentration but didn't feel heavy to me. I do think some age has been kind in mellowing it out a little and this felt very in balance to me. Lots of brambly black fruits, dried herbs, pepper and smokey bacon. It is rich yet elegant and length to burn and enough stuffing and structure to age longer. Paired so well with a grilled rib eye. Top quality for me.

3/19/2022 - deverett wrote:

Seriously good Chardonnay here and easily the best I have had from NZ and likely Oz too for some time. Full of flavour but balanced and long, it is both refreshing yet mouthful of and satisfying. Ripe stone fruits, melon, nougat and cashews, there is oak but it complements rather than distracts. Has length for days and texturally just perfect. Pitch perfect Chardonnay from a brilliant producer.

3/4/2022 - deverett wrote:

Classically brilliant Standish, the ducks nuts of Aussie Shiraz for sure. Still quite young but like if Dan’s wines it is just well well balanced, there is an elegance despite the richness of the fruit which makes this so easy to drink. Black fruits, olives, some oak and spice complement nicely, maybe some coffee grounds in the mix as well. Texturally this is next level, just a beautiful wine to drink.

3/4/2022 - deverett wrote:

Such a good wine, particularly for the price point. At 11 years old this is just cruising along beautifully, smells of blackberries and cedar, some plummy notes as well. Integrated palate, tannins nicely framing without dominating, great length and balance overall. Same blackberry flavours, maybe tea and slight hint of cloves, all meshes beautifully together. Great stuff from Blue Poles.

12/22/2021 - deverett wrote:

A brilliant YY#1 here that is in a very fine drinking window at the moment. Balance is impeccable, some nice complexity developing to mesh together the mulberry, dried herb and cedar flavours. Deep and rich, yet balanced and refined. Tannins a real highlight here as well, very clean and focused on the palate, such a lovely wine to drink.

12/22/2021 - deverett wrote:

Awesome wine in a great place at the moment. Feels quite polished, has integrated well and feels very settled and ready to drink. Smells of cigar box, lead pencils and blackcurrant, hints of undergrowth, black olives and bay leaf. Palate is similar, not a heavy weight but has real presence and concentration filled in a somewhat elegant frame. Great length of flavour, should keep trundling along very nicely.

12/8/2021 - deverett wrote:

Have never had a bad bottle of the LW and this was no exception. Exotically perfumed, so floral and herbal which is matched in the palate. Spices and ripe plums, violets, mulberries with some moderate oak influence. Medium to full bodied, it is rich and so complex with high drinkability right now, a highlight overall is the silky satin texture, wonderful finish. Just awesome.

12/1/2021 - deverett wrote:

A lovely Le Sol, still drinking well and in some ways feels like it might still be coming together. Drank over two nights and seemed to be at its best at the start of night 2, faded a little towards the end. It is a medium to full Syrah, pretty in some ways and very aromatic. Black cherry and plum flavours, hard spices, cedary notes as well. Good length, the tannin structure is also a highlight. In a nice place at the moment and I don’t feel it will fall over anytime soon but will it get better? Depends how you like them but mine will probably go in the next couple of years.

11/28/2021 - deverett wrote:

Cracking wine right here, such purity of fruit and shows what can be done when the fruit and ok are not pushed to the limits. While it is plush and ripe, I still found it elegant and not a blockbuster. Loads of dark berry fruits, hints of tobacco, liquorice, black tea and some chary oak. Didn’t get much apricot type flavours from the viognier so it was not a distraction for me. The tannin structure and length on the finish are high class.

11/24/2021 - deverett wrote:

Absolutely ripping Riesling, so full of energy but with such precision and focus. Drank over 3 nights, it improved each day, slowly softened and fleshed out a little. Has ripe citrus flavours but also quite floral, raw almonds, slatey minerals and a slightly rounded finish. Acid still a driving force but is gradually becoming less prominent. Expect this will live for a very long time and no need to dive into these just yet. I would suggest holding for a few years if you like your rieslings with the edge off a little.

11/16/2021 - deverett wrote:

A fine and elegant style of Pinot, light ruby colour with lovely florals. Clear and bright, sour cherries, some savoury undergrowth, cranberry acidity and grippy tannins. Nice Pinot, lacking a little complexity and a slightly short finish.

11/4/2021 - deverett wrote:

This is such a good Pinot, gorgeous ruby colour and smells amazing. Layered and complex, a little smoky reduction, kick of spice and cranberry acidity on the finish. Beautiful.

10/29/2021 - deverett wrote:

Quite a pretty and elegant pinot, almost made in water colours but not lacking in detail and finesse. Strawberries and savoury undertones, red cherries. Very clean finish, feels still reasonably fresh, fruit perhaps lacking a little depth but overall a really enjoyable pinot that did improve with some time in the decanter.

10/28/2021 - deverett wrote:

Really impressive Shiraz, vibrant and expressive in a medium frame. More in the dark red fruit spectrum, oak perfectly done, baking spices and charcuterie flavours. Lovely powdery tannins and it is texturally smooth and silky, length and finish are awesome. The lifted aromatics and flavours are right in the mould of Sami Odi LW.

10/25/2021 - deverett wrote:

Gee this is good but really needs plenty of air to get the best out of it. The second half of the bottle on day 3 was singing, had fleshed out a bit more and texturally was quite beautiful. Palate was fresh, toned down citrus notes but more amplified white stone fruit, nougat and cashews. Can imagine this will continue to age really well.

10/16/2021 - deverett wrote:

Cracking chardonnay, still on the young side and think this will still evolve and improve. Balances elegance and richness, early citrus notes give way to some flinty minerality, struck match and almond notes. Impressive length of flavour, some soft roundness and a dash of creamy oak in the mix.

9/26/2021 - deverett wrote:

Haven’t had one of these for a few years so thought I would check in. Ageing beautifully, some cigar box, leather, plums, olives and baking spices. Oak is well integrated and subtle, generous and persistent length with a tug of fine tannins. Such a lovely wine cruising along its journey, very elegant, excellent wine from a very good WA vintage.

9/24/2021 - deverett wrote:

My first time trying a TE Shiraz and this was very good. So smooth and supple, rich yet elegant and texturally just beautiful. It is more blueberry and blood plum and has a real mineraloty flowing through. Tannins are very fine and has a particularly long finish. Oak is nicely in check but is a great complement to the flavour and texture going on. Just a lovely wine that is so good to drink now but will be very good for many hearts yet.

9/19/2021 - deverett wrote:

Oak felt quite prominent here and a richer and deeper wine than I recall, though still medium weight. Some grippy tannins, plums and a little pepper on the palate, slight sourness on the finish. I feel that the Castagna wines I prefer younger.

9/19/2021 - deverett wrote:

Travelling OK but feels as though it has peaked. Fruit slightly fading but still showing some interesting autumnal and undergrowth flavours, sour black cherries and herbs. Wouldn’t hold this any longer.

9/17/2021 - deverett wrote:

Must admit this isn’t my favourite vintage for Archaeus. Found there to be an overt sourness which dissipate a bit but was always there. There is some lovey soft red berry fruit underneath and I am always taken by the elegance of the Archaeus which is again on display here. Slightly short finish for me as well. The 09 and 10 I had recently were both better for me.

9/4/2021 - deverett wrote:

Enjoyed this again, my last notes and flavour profile seems pretty consistent here and hasn't moved much over 18 months. It is plush but balanced, deep fruited and generous, quite smooth and has enough of everything to go another 20 years, particularly under screw cap.

8/30/2021 - deverett wrote:

Improved with some air time, opened up a little closed and clunky but settled and became more fragrant and elegant. Texturally very smooth and well integrated, in the red fruit spectrum, a little spice and dried herbs, oak adds background seasoning. It’s not overly complex but is a lovely burgundy, easy to drink.

8/15/2021 - deverett wrote:

A lighter style of Pinot, juicy and bright, very fresh and vibrant right now given its youth. An early drinking Pinot I expect and one which is very easy to drink. Strawberries, a little rhubarb, some earth and spice in the mix. Not super complex, just an enjoyable drink really.

8/15/2021 - deverett wrote:

Haven’t had one of these for a few years so thought I would check in. Developing along nicely for 25 years, still some plushness and richness to the fruit, all blackberries, olives, fennel and cigar box. Tannins have absorbed well into the wine, no harsh edges, very soft and smooth. In a lovely place and should hold for some time. Will it improve? Hard to say but I expect it will keep changing as tertiary flavours start to emerge.

8/1/2021 - deverett wrote:

Such an unusual styling for a SA Shiraz, no blockbuster here. It is a wine built on texture, subtely and elegance, showing another expression of Eden Balley Shiraz. It is lithe and textural, has an energy and vibrancy that sets it apart from other versions. Definitely in the lighter spectrum, dark sour cherries, pepper and spice box, very subtle oak and lovely tannins. It would be easy to glug this down, such is its drinkability, but you would miss the intricacies and complexity of this beautiful wine. A terrific wine here, so different and despite its lack of blockbuster fruit, I think it will still cellar pretty well for a while. Well done Callum Powell.

7/27/2021 - deverett wrote:

Similar to my last note in terms of flavour profile, however this showed better than last time. Not quite in the full bodied spectrum but still has denseness and generosity which is balanced well with quality fruit and oak. Tannins firm and ripe, nice length and the usual beautiful texture.