5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Good kit (as expected). Some weight and cream. Musk and a touch of sweetness.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th: WOTN. Drinking well now.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th: very competent but falls into the 'dry red' mould for mine. No doubt needs time.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Very fresh and lively (my 50th).

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

A big disappointment from my 50th drinks. Hard, coarse, feels pushed hard. Volatile?

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th. Young but very accessible.

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th (from magnum)

5/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

My 50th

5/5/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Very young and hard to get get a read. Strictly medium bodied, even a notch below, but somewhat generic at the minute. Quite tight although some spice and sweetness comes through late. Time is a necessity.

5/5/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Basic but mostly effective. On the the ripe and sweet side, and particularly so for the grape. Might even be a touch young.

5/4/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Disappointing. Rep sold to us as a dry rose but not the case. Classic regional fat through the palate but a wave of sweetness hits late.

5/4/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Bad bottle? I found this totally underwhelming. Very little body, fruit weight or presence. Mild lemon notes. No signs of age at 8yrs but but barely any signs of 'wine'. 11%.....interesting. BTW the standard release from 2016 was very good and full of energy.

5/3/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Can hold it's head up as a 12yr old. A little understated; dry red fruits, herbal nose, some astringency. Fruit is fading but perhaps slowly. Drink now.

5/3/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Slightly ho-hum. Generic fruit profile with typical regional ripeness. A fraction hot late. Nothing wrong of course but unremarkable.

5/2/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Got the window right. Relatively fruit forward for the appelation, rich, but some acid to lend support. Some honey and funk late.

4/28/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Good wine, classy streaks evident but considering market price is around $50 feel fully priced. Dry, sinewy, some oak. Has claims but primary fruit needs to show more staying power to be a contender amongst peers.

4/26/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Travelling really well. Bit parts classic Grenache juicy, mild stinky fruits, a layer of minerals late. Will please most.

4/25/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Got the window right I reckon. The core is 'fruity' but well surrounded by soft furry tannin and game. I suspect the fruity intensity is tailing off but structually plenty of presence.

4/22/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Continues a very strong run for me from this producer, one that I consider probably the most underrated in MR (along with Higher Plane?). Deeply rooted in structure over flavour with grainy red fruits, savoury layers and a presence that has proper length. 5yrs+ ahead.

4/21/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

One off? A lighter interpretation from Heathcote but at 11yrs beyond the drinking window. Interesting lines of buzzy fruits and acid. Perhaps styled as a CH? Very Norther Rhone for mine albeit one of faded glory. I think it is reasonable to expect a little more life.

4/20/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Impressive. Very classical with blackberries and herbs. Grainy tannin with savoury edges. Very much my style.

4/17/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Really good wine. Bang in the zone at 9yrs with zingy minerals and lemon/lime bitters fruits. Core of concentrated fruits. Did fade in the glass after an hour.

4/14/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Not bad at all. Not for the purist but as a straight forward ripe generic red this is travelling nicely. Lacks classic airs and graces (ie rambling herbal tannin and savoury fruits) but for the G&H crowd I doubt this matters. Very fresh at 5yrs.

4/13/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Defo serviceable if you like 'em big and thick! A bit soupy opening but firmed a touch over a few hours and shed some pounds. Generic ripe red but done well and easy going.

4/12/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Very enjoyable. Juicy, not quite high powered, but full of life. Mineral hints around the edges. Seems very young at 6yrs of age.

4/11/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Really good night 1 but faded night 3 (fair enough). Very Coonawarra, classically so, and indeed reminded me of the 2006 Wynns Black Label. Grainy blackberry, low oak, good lift for the age. 10yrs about right.

4/11/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Travelling nicely. Has filled out with some sweetness . Super attractive. Lacks a touch of zip but probably reflects some maturity.

4/9/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Decent for QAN economy. Medium weight, very good balance. Just dips into 'plush' territory/

4/6/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Sold wine. Not sure what the split is b/w the Cab and Malbec but suspect fairly balanced given this comes across as fruit forward red rather than classic cab notes. Easy drinking with some sensibilities as it just falls short of juicy.

4/6/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

First KB wine for me. This was a little disappointing. Shrill, brittle fruits. Felt acid and a bit underdone.

4/4/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Not unlike the 2000. Not lacking but still has a brittle note. Not super friendly. Aging further can't help.

4/3/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

New entry level Prosecco from Cavedon. Fits the bill at the price - fruit driven with pear and apple, highish fizz and good presence. Not fruity in the true sense of the word.

3/29/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Credible Moscato alternative. Fizzy, soft, some sweetness. Goes without saying this is simple. A slightly drier edge to Moscato.

3/29/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Very pleasant and a good effort. Low $20s and super friendly / easy drinking. Savoury smokey touches late.

3/29/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Better this time around. Silky smooth and just over mid weight. Impressive at the price.

3/29/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

I like this. Bright and cheery; not terribly limey but enough to be interesting. A touch of sweetness late. Friendly.

3/28/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Mostly dry in what is a mainstream style. Smokey touches, generic red fruits, a touch citric. Not totally my bad but I see why people like it.

3/28/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Quite uneventful. Dry, dull fruits, mild game. Won’t offend but somewhat boring.

3/26/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

About $8 at auction so I'll cut it a few breaks. Not really user friendly, rather has a Rhony minerally feel with mild gamey links. Took me until night 2 to fully understand (& feel better about it). Maybe not one for the punters.

3/26/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

In a funny place. Light and simple but you know it will improve. Oak and, surprisingly, low tannin impact. Easy to be fooled I think.

3/25/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Yep good. Very good. Essentially dry but Provenance-like thickness through the palate. Mouthfilling. Excellent on the pour me thinks.

3/24/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

I think I need to seriously re-assess just how good this producer is from a Cabernet perspective. Yes at odds with my punk rock ethos but the consistency and value really is next level. Not hard to buy current vintage or the last 20yrs (from auction) under $40; at this price this is budget YV or MR CS from any decent producer. At 18yrs this is flying; no obvoious age in the colour and very good spice and blackberry across the nose and palate. Tending to medium bodied but by no means mature. Will drink into 2026 me thinks.

3/23/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Just plain nice. Plush, simple but smart. Soft herbal and blackberry fruits. Will be a great pouring option.

3/22/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Settled a touch on last year's tasting. Buzzy, bright minerals, doesn't feel entirely comfortable. A bit Rhoney I guess. Ok for YV shiraz at 8 years.

3/21/2024 - StewartWent wrote:

Another juicy number although not as plush as the 2019. Drink over 3 nights. A bit bitey on day 3. Nice herbal CS like character.