A pre-ProWein tasting of some lovely Australian wines

australia

A pre-ProWein tasting of some lovely Australian wines

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On the eve of ProWein, Wine Australia put on a tasting of some really interesting Australian wines. Here are my notes on some of my favourites.

Bellwether Vermentino 2014 Heathcote, Australia
This is a distinctive white wine that’s mineral, stony and lemony with nice delicacy and hints of juniper. Lots of interest here. 92/100

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Soumah Single Vineyard Hesham Chardonnay 2016 Yarra Valley, Australia
Complex, taut, spicy and nutty with lovely pear and peach fruit. There’s some richness here but also a lovely mineral core. Really fine. 94/100

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Patrick Sullivan Fruit of the Sky Pinot Noir 2016 Yarra Valley, Australia
So pure with floral aroamtics. This is elegant with red cherries, spice, a little bit of lift and some lemony freshness on the finish. Quite beautiful with detail and delicacy. 94/100

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Patrick Sullivan Amazon Pinot Noir 2016 Yarra Valley, Australia
So fine and elegant: floral, with fine spices. Supple and rounded with a silky texture. Amazing finesse and purity here. 95/100

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Luke Lambert Nebbiolo 2015 Yarra Valley, Australia
This is quite special. Pure, with fine, floral red berry and cherry fruit. Structured palate with real finesse, showing spices, cherries, plums and herbs. 95/100

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Jamsheed Ma Petite Francine Cabernet Franc 2016 Yarra Valley, Australia
Grippy and vivid with lovely raspberry and cherry fruit, and nice spiciness. Has focus and grip, showing nice texture but also some structure. 93/100

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Bill Downie ‘Bio Dynamic’ Petit Verdot 2015 Murray River, Australia
Grippy and meaty with some spiciness and delicious plump black fruits. Has density and power, but it’s not without some elegance, too. Very attractive. 92/100

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Soumah Single Vineyard Hexham Syrah 2015 Yarra Valley, Australia
Grippy and structured with ripe black cherry fruit and some richer blackberry character, with a spicy, tarry, peppery edge. 93/100

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Yarra Yering Dry Red No 2 2010 Yarra Valley, Australia
Shiraz and Mataro with a bit of Viognier and Marsanne. Sweet, soft blackberries and black cherries here with some nice weight. Textural, soft and broad in the mouth with fruit sweetness. 93/100

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Ruggabellus Fluus 2015 Barossa Valley, Australia
This is a blend of Grenache, Mataro, Syrah and Cinsault. It has real energy, with supple, fresh cherry and plum fruit with some nice detail. There’s a bit of a natural edge but it’s really elegant and drinkable. 94/100

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Chaffey Bros Pax Antenna Grenache 2016 Barossa, Australia
Pale cherry red in colour with supple, elegant, fine red cherries and spices. Sweetly fruited and elegant with hints of herbs and ginger. 93/100

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Schwarz Meta Grenache 2016 Barossa, Australia
86% whole bunch, natural ferment. Sweet, elegant, fine and smooth with fine-grained structure. Pretty and pure with elegant, supple red fruits and some silkiness. Such elegance here: Pinot’s warm climate cousin. 94/100

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Schwarz Meta Mataro 2016 Barossa, Australia
Perfumed, aromatic and expressive on the nose. Pretty with lively, pure red cherries, plums and blackberries. Juicy and pure, this is real finesse and purity. 93/100

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Gentle Folk Ashton Tansley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016 Adelaide Hills, Australia
Fine, supple and elegant with expressive, juicy cherry and plum fruit. Lovey balance and structure here with nice purity and fine-grained tannic structure. 94/100

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Ashton Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 Adelaide Hills, Australia
Highly aromatic with sweet sour cherry and undergrowth. Textured, warm and spicy with a rounded character and somefine spiciness, as well as some herbs. 93/100

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Jauma Wines Like Rain Drops Grenache 2016 McLaren Vale, Australia
Supple and rounded with sweet cherry and raspberry fruit. Nice warmth, showing rounded blackberry richness. Pure, with a liqueur-like quality to the fruit, but balanced. 93/100

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Ochota Barrels The Fugazi Vineyard Grenache 2016 McLaren Vale, Australia
Supple raspberry and red cherry fruit with nice spiciness. Grippy and elegant at the same time with pure, sleek fruit. Lovely weight here. 94/100

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Cloudburst Chardonnay 2016 Margaret River, Australia
Combines rich nutty peach and pear fruit with nice mineral, spicy freshness and some lemony acidity. Lots of interest here: full flavoured but balanced. 93/100

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Harewood Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2014 Great Southern, Australia
Lively and bright with linear citrus fruit and some pear and spice notes. Lively and detailed with great acidity. 93/100

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Larry Cherubino Laissez Faire Chardonnay 2015 Great Southern, Australia
Mineral, finely spiced nose is really fresh and expressive. Lively and bright with crisp citrus fruits and fresh intensity. Such a lovely linear wine. 94/100

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Ferngrove Cossack Riesling 2016 Frankland River, Australia
Pure and lemony with a delicate floral nose. Linear and focused on the palate with intensity and finesse combined. 93/100

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Rieslingfreak No 3 Riesling 2016 Clare Valley, Australia
Beautifully perfumed and aromatic with lemon and tangerine notes. Fresh, balanced palate with a linear, lemony intensity. So pretty. 92/100

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Ministry of Clouds Chardonnay 2015 Tasmania, Australia
Fresh and expressive with lemons and Satsuma on the nose. Sophisticated, detailed lemony palate with purity and lovely lemony, mineral undertones. Brilliant wine. 94/100

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Margan Aged Release Semillon 2009 Hunter Valley, Australia
Fresh, stony and linear with a lemony core and also some pear and ripe apple notes. There’s a subtle hint of cabbage in the background, but this is a lovely harmonious citrussy white that’s developing really nicely. 93/100

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