July 30, 2023 - A near textbook example of the variety and of the winery style, which leaves the grape to speak for itself, something I always applaud. There is the trademark honeysuckle, some lemon and toast and the acid avoids the hard, sour, malic character of so many otherwise promising whites from this vintage.
Yes, I got burnt by some Oz Rieslings from 2011, which offered a lot of cut and I liked their steely character combined with some nice fruit at the time, but I paid too little attention to the searing, sour acid. Unlike this wine, 10-12 years on their acid lives, like the malevolent Smeagol, whilst everything else has faded and all one gets is the wine equivalent of 'Baggins, we hates you!'
This Marsanne, by contrast, is the good Smeagol; it loves us, yes it does, it is kind and loving to us, my precious.
December 24, 2022 - Tahbilk rate this vintage very highly for Marsanne, whereas it was a swine for almost anything else - rain, rain and more rain. I well recall the year as I suffered perpetual crack gravel as I cycled to work each day, looking like some kind of Viking with dysentery.
The wine is under screwcap and is very close to other bottles I have enjoyed from this generally benighted year.
The colour is green gold and very bright. It speaks of some development but not a wine near the end of its slamming.
The nose speaks of more development that the colour - honeysuckle, a twist of kero/petrol, a hint of marmalade.
The palate is fresh and very alive, flavours as per the nose but this has a long life ahead of it, though I think it is now where it needs to be and from here it is hold, more than looking for more development. Great intensity and length, though if I wanted to be critical, I would note that the finish trails off slightly. Extremely good value and simply a world class wine. My father introduced me to this maker in the 1970's and I can only be grateful to him for that and so much more.
November 27, 2022 - Nice to drink now. Round, good flavour depth. Still lively
November 28, 2021 - As older vintages of this wine should be, if a little lighter in style. And that might change tomorrow when I look again.
December 25, 2020 - Not the best I've had over the years but still pretty handy as a near 10yr old. Fading bitter lemon, some honey on the nose but not really evident in palate. Soft acid lines suggest it might live for some time but won't get any better.
November 21, 2020 - Deep gold colour, moving towards yellow but still a small green tinge. Light Aroma of dry wood, grapefruit pineapple, straw. Underlying sweetness against a dry backbone. Taste is a bit bland to start with, but this is straight from opening, I’m expecting it will improve with a little time. Medium to low acidity, some underlying citrus but more evident in the aroma than taste. Peach, nectarine, lemon. I will see how it goes over the next hour or so and update the note if necessary.
July 24, 2020 - Floral, grapefruit, linseed, oil viscosity holding the wine together
consistent value for money
drink now.
March 20, 2020 - Not in the least tired, nor are there any off-putting aromas which are sometimes present in aged wines. This is just lovely, complex and fresh at the same time. QPR off the scale.
November 1, 2019 - Lovely golden colour, almost bright golden. Dry aroma with citrus and peach. Lemon, peach, pineapple, some green apple. Citrus at the front and finishes with a touch of sweetness. Light and easy to drink. I have been working my way through a dozen of the 11 vintage for a couple of years and this definitely the best bottle so far. Clearly needs to be drunk at the right time. Finally looking forward to the last 2 bottles.
June 28, 2019 - Deep Yellow golden colour. Dry aroma, straw, oak. Light honey, peach, honeydew. Smooth sweet flavour. Requires some air and medium temperature 12 degrees. Lose the sweetness at low temperature. I do find this wine to be sporadic. Enjoying it today.