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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Glad you enjoyed the Riesling, thought your notes were pretty spot on, thanks for stopping by the stand at Prowein