Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay 2007
I’m sure this wine keeps getting tighter and more refined each year, in spite of hot early vintages. It’s one of my favourite Chardonnays at its price point too.
It’s a bit brassy but really energetic with the whole spectrum of citrus flavours (grapefruit, lemon, orange), fresh stonefruit, some matchstick, a bit of spice and a great deal of minerality. It’s dry and tight, a touch pithy and has a core of strong bright acidity providing freshness and drive. Good long dry finish too. A snip at this price with complexity and great drinkabilty - it provides us with yet another good reason to keep drinking Chardonnay.
Other vintages : 2006, 2005, 2005, 2004
Tasted : Jun08Alcohol : 13%
Price : $25
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2008 - 2011
Source : Winery Sample
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Tyrrells Rufus Stone McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006
They spelt plum as plumb on the back label, but other than that everything else comes to you in perfect working order.
Impressive colour leads into a fine regional wine - plum, chocolate, a bit of black pepper, some earthiness and a dab of coconut/vanilla oak. It’s medium to full bodied but, refreshingly, is neither heavy nor sweet. Nice and fresh with a light fine grained tannin grip and clean dry finish of good length. Great drinking - an excellent savoury dry red.
Other vintages : 2005
Tasted : Jun08Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $25
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2012+
Source : Winery Sample
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Hillcrest Vineyard Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
I tasted this alongside the Estate wine of the same vintage and curiously it was the Premium that was open and expressive on day one, the Estate being more sullen and subdued. Next day they exchanged roles, flip flop, criss-cross, the Premium shut up shop and the Estate was singing sweetly (and scoring higher as a result). It will be fascinating to taste them both again in ten years time.
It smells strong and rich with cassis, violet, mineral, pencil, a distinct earthiness and spice laden toasty oak. In the mouth medium to full bodied with excellent freshness, plenty of firm fine grained tannins and a similar earthy, Cassis laden and (particularly Bordeaux like) pencilly oak driven flavour profile. Again it’s classic Cabernet - linear, balanced and fine with appropriate grip on exit. One for the cellar.
Other vintages : 2005
Tasted : Jun08Alcohol : 13%
Price : $57
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2012 - 2026
Source : Winery Sample
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Tarraford Vineyard … what a beauty
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Tarraford Vineyard … what a beauty
By Campbell Mattinson
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McHenry Hohnen 3 Amigos White 2006
It’s a blend of Marsanne, Chardonnay and Rousanne and I think the Burgundy piggy in the middle really adds something to the blend - it gives that bit of shape and freshness that its Rhone pals sometimes lack when left on their own.
Apple cider, stonefruit, pear, a drizzle of honey and more savoury lees characters are the main flavours on a palate that’s weighty, dry, flintily textured and highly satisfying to drink. There’s fresh clean acidity, excellent shape and balance and a degree of interest that’s so often lacking around this price point. It’s a very good wine I think.
Other vintages : 2005
Tasted : Jun08Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $22
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2011
Source : Winery Sample
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Kurtz Vineyard “Seven Sleepers” Red 2005
This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Shiraz (33%), Petit Verdot (14%) and Grenache (5%) with the balance being Merlot and Malbec. It sees only old oak, is available for $120 per dozen direct from the winery (I think) and as an excellent weekday it comes with my recommendation free of charge.
It smells of plum, mixed berries, a bit of mint, cocoa and vanilla. On the palate medium to full bodied with plenty of flavour - juicy and sweetly fruited with cassis and dark berries, a touch of herb and some violet and vanilla perfume. It has light dry tannins and some warmth but closes with a savoury toasty aftertaste. It leans a bit towards the front palate but has integrity, vinosity and offers excellent drinking at the price.
Tasted : Jun08Alcohol : 14%
Price : $10
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2010
Source : Winery Sample
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Cullen Margaret River Kevin John Chardonnay 2006 ($70) screwcap:
By Campbell Mattinson
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Houghton Chardonnay 2007 ($14) screwcap:
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Kooyong Estate Pinot Noir 2006
By Campbell Mattinson
This year’s Kooyong pinot noir is a fine-boned, tannic example of Mornington pinot noir - and a very good one. You need a subscription to The Wine Front to see this part of the post
Price : $39Closure : Diam
Drink : 2009 - 2016
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Double Take
Next Double Take :
Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
