Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2004

Blood cherry red, kinda dark rose like. Massive herbal kick on the nose; nettles, freshly cut hay, a touch stalky perhaps. Striking. More herbal, slightly green notes on the palate and some noticeable oak. Doesn’t seem under-ripe but there’s not a whole lot of fruit powering the palate – yet. Oak drives the wine, a little too much to my liking, but it’s early days yet, and the house has a decent track record.

Hoffman Chardonnay 2001 – Recommended

Purchased at a cellar door visit in 2002. I must have been a bit wet behind the ears buying McLaren Vale chard but this wine has held up well (good storage conditions has evidently not hindered). Aged, nutty nose; some oak evident and good sweet fruit aromas. More mellow sweet fruit in the palate, mild maderised characters kick in late, more spicy / nutty oak. Finishes a touch short but to no detriment. One of those cellaring surprises that just doesn’t happen often enough.

Te-Aro Estate Shiraz 2002

Another grower come vintner. New label to us and holds a certain amount of interest given the vintage and the fact the wine has a component soucred from 95yr vines. Classic shiraz in the glass; dark garnet with a pink edge. Despite the Barossa origins I found the region hard to pick on the nose, rather mixed berries of medium weight with a tingly, almost talcum powder nose. Palate is well balanced but the fruit power struggles a touch to really get going. This is strictly an elegant style, but mostly in a good way. More generic red berries in the mouth, early, and then tightens up noticeably with some acid and powdery tannins. Good, but not great, and any comments on recommendation will be driven largely by the retail price.

Mac Forbes Barbera 2004

Dry red generic style. Quite tight with touch of noticeable acid and drying tannins. Some sweet berry fruits late in the palate but otherwise lacks excitement.

Elgee Park Family Reserve Chardonnay 2004

Rich, ripe style, probably over the top despite the 13.5%. Viognier like with some heat and full palate weight. Quite attractive but not befitting of the variety. No doubt will have its fans.

Elgee Park Riesling 2005

Rich, fresh, lively. A touch too ripe for my liking, perhaps built with a 1 - 2 year cellaring time frame in mind. Nice touches of ripe lime and musk - well matched with a sliver of acid. Some obvious heat takes the edge off what is otherwise quite a good drop.

Domaine Epis Cabernet Merlot 2004 - Recommended

Dark blood red in the glass, almost black. Elegant, leafy nose - classy. Some herbal notes and berries as well. Soft, milky palate with more cool climate berry fruit coming through. Class personified. Maybe a touch subdued right now but will nearly certainly get better.

Schoenberg le Gus De Rouge

Sparkling cabernet from Barossa made by Liebich connections. Very obvious cab with firm blackberry fruits. Dosage very noticable (liquered blackberry). Attractive ripe style but it struggles to mount a strong value arguement given the lack of track record and $42 price tag.

Trevor Jones Mink NV (Recommended)

Bizarre wine, more in the West Coast cooler mould. Sweet, fizzy, probably a fair whack of residual sugar, but harmless. Awesome label...think Barossa Pearl. No updates in 30 years me thinks.