3/24/2013 - Kevint wrote:

http://perthwine.me/2013/03/27/2008-pyramid-valley-calvert-vineyard-pinot-noir-central-otago-nz-14-3/

Been meaning to try and drink more Pinot’s to understand what all the Pinotphiles are rabbiting on about. Must confess I don’t drink much Pinot, not never really “got” its allure.

This comes highly recommended and has a strong reputation.

Needed a few hours in the decanter to open up. Has a very perfumed nose of strawberries, dried cranberries and pan roasted Star Anise. Translates well on the palate, with tea like flavours coming through and a long, stalky finish. Drying tannins.
Is it enjoyable? Yes, sure. Light bulb moment where I say, “Wow! Must drink more Pinot”?? Nope. Just didn’t get its very stalky like finish. The search for me continues.

Source: Gift, but I see this listed on some online retailers at about $80
Tasted 24th March 2013

3/23/2013 - Kevint wrote:

http://perthwine.me/2013/03/26/2008-blue-poles-reserve-merlot-margaret-river-14/

A very European styled wine. Well balanced and good acid control. Lovely brambley, cigar box, truffled aromas and a nice floral lift. Beautiful weight on the palate with nothing competing for attention. Elegant style. Baked beetroot, sweet core of plums, truffles and a herbaceous, aniseed palate. Finishes with smokey flavours and a savoury edge.

If this were served blind, I would pick it as a wine from St Emilon in Bordeaux, the home of Merlot and Merlot based blends.

After 2 days of being open, all the individual tastes have melded together and is a very harmonious wine.

A very good Merlot and highly recommend.

Purchased from the winery direct for $35.

The 2010 version took out best Merlot in the 2013 Good Wine Guide by Nick Stock. Tried it before and it was very good as well. Have some sleeping in the cellar for a few more years.

Disclosure :- I am friends with one of the owners, but I stand by my comments and purchase my wines at prevailing rates.

Tasted 23rd – 25th March 2013

4/24/2013 - Kevint Likes this wine:

http://perthwine.me/2013/04/30/2007-hewitson-old-garden-mourvedre-barossa-valley-14-5/

Aged in French barrels for 18 months. Vines for this was planted in 1853 and Hewitson reckon it is most likely the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world.

Ready to drink and has shed its deep violet colour.

Very fine tannins. Meaty, savoury edge with dark plums and intense sour cherries infused with cinnamon.

Some Christmas cake like flavours as well.

Very slippery / syrupy on the palate. Fairly long finish on the palate.

Alcohol heat pokes out a fraction.

A juicy, complex, full bodied savoury wine that will turn heads. Very good to excellent wine.

Purchased on special from online retailer Winestar for $55 in 2009. Current release of this wine is now up to $120

Tasted 24th April 2013.

4/4/2013 - Kevint Likes this wine:

http://perthwine.me/2013/04/09/2008-clonakilla-shiraz-viognier-murrumbateman-nsw-14/

Recently read the “Heaven on Earth” article by Tyson Stelzer in the Dec/Jan ’13 Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine. It explained Clonakilla’s pioneering efforts in establishing a vineyard in the Canberra District and of the Shiraz Viognier blend in Australia. They have just celebrated the 20th vintage of this benchmark Australian wine.

Just flicked through the article again and it made mention of Clonakilla’s “characteristic granitic tannin structure”, which intrigued me. So I dived into the cellar to grab a bottle & find out exactly what this was referring to.

1 hour in the decanter.
Everything seems so seamless with this wine. Silky. Pretty violets, white pepper and Chinese five spice. Kinda reminds me of Chinese masterstock. Dark fruits wrapped around its ferrous tannin structure. Now I understand the “granitic tannin” reference. Very long, lingering after taste of strawberries, cranberries and smoky bacon fat. Zippy acid on the finish.

Sublime. A wine for quiet, contemplative sipping than drinking at raucous dinner parties. Grab a bottle, find a quiet corner with a book and whittle the hours away with this.
Excellent wine. If I were giving points, I’d say 96+ points.
Tasted 4th April 2013
Source: $75 from winery newsletter

4/4/2013 - Kevint Likes this wine:

http://perthwine.me/2013/04/09/2008-clonakilla-shiraz-viognier-murrumbateman-nsw-14/
Recently read the “Heaven on Earth” article by Tyson Stelzer in the Dec/Jan ’13 Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine. It explained Clonakilla’s pioneering efforts in establishing a vineyard in the Canberra District and of the Shiraz Viognier blend in Australia. They have just celebrated the 20th vintage of this benchmark Australian wine.

Just flicked through the article again and it made mention of Clonakilla’s “characteristic granitic tannin structure”, which intrigued me. So I dived into the cellar to grab a bottle & find out exactly what this was referring to.

1 hour in the decanter.

Everything seems so seamless with this wine. Silky. Pretty violets, white pepper and Chinese five spice. Kinda reminds me of Chinese masterstock. Dark fruits wrapped around its ferrous tannin structure. Now I understand the “granitic tannin” reference. Very long, lingering after taste of strawberries, cranberries and smoky bacon fat. Zippy acid on the finish.

Sublime. A wine for quiet contemplative sipping than drinking at raucous dinner parties. Grab a bottle, find a quiet corner with a book and whittle the hours away with this.

Excellent wine. If I were giving points, I’d say 96+ points.

2/13/2013 - Kevint Likes this wine:

http://perthwine.me/
Recently tried this in the M. Chapoutier masterclass held at Steve’s, and it impressed me enough to buy a few for the cellar.
I find it interesting trying a wine away from a structured tasting. Almost always tastes different as you have more time and more in the glass to understand the wine. I liked this at the tasting... love it now.
Juicy, ripe and silky smooth. Great balance to this wine. Nice harmony and all its components seem at peace with each other.
Velvety dark fruits, sour cherries, herbs de Provence scattered in with a shaving of chocolate.
Think sweet fruits with a mouth watering savoury edge.
Not a big or "ballsy" wine, but it fills and touches every part of the palate.
Not cheap, but I reckon well worth the price as it is an excellent example of a harmonious wine. Bravo!

3/4/2013 - Kevint Likes this wine:

http://perthwine.me/
Classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Intense Cassis and sweet fruited blackcurrants.
Beautiful length. Elegant and stunning.
Pretty, floral notes with a nice menthol lift.
Hints of chocolate and tobacco.
Fresh bright acids that get’s your mouth juices going.
Very easy to just keep drinking.
Still very young and primary. Can see this lasting for years to come.
A sensational benchmark cabernet.