A very good bracket. Most wines were well structured and will age well. The difference in style interpretation was a nice touch.
As a quick aside I thought most makers were having a faink-dinkum stap at making styles that would compete well internationally. These winemakers are a very determined and articulate bunch, and thankfully don't have the smugness sometimes exhibited in the Barossa Valley.
Punch 2005 (Recommended)
Sourced from 18 yera old vines. Medium red hue with a darker centre and some lightening at the rim. Bright cherry fruits and firming sour edges to smell; gets progressively more serious and has good presence. Fruits are tight to taste although the core is sweet. A little overcome with acid at this stage; good length; simple but will clearly improve.
Yering Station Reserve 2005 (Recommended)
Very low yielding at 1.5tn / acre. Only 5000 litres made.
Subdued fruits. stinky underlay, funky; nice mineral edge. Structured palate, well contained fruits; long, plenty of acid and minerals. Spicy oak and more funk. Will be very very good in time.
Giant Steps 'Tarraford' 2005 (Recommended)
I picked this as the Martinborough ring-in. Free flowing aromas of red fruits and cherries; very clear and well-defined. In that sense not un-like a clean-cut Central Otago with its broad aromatic lift. Some again in the mouth with spicy oak and acid; ok length; fruit is subdued but I have faith here.
Debortoli 2006
Sourced from the home blocks at Dixon's Creek (80% organically managed).
Dark blood red in colour with no lightening. Lifted sweet red fruits on the nose, not particularly varietal (at least early) but the cherry and rhubarb kicks in late. Very powerful. Dry and firm palate structure with some tannin and slightly prickly acid. Lacks a bit of interest right now and again needs time.
Tarrawarra 'Reserve' 2006
40% sourced from 21yr old vines, the remainder 12yrs. A tad lighter in colour than the rest of the line-up. Nose has some interest; smokey, a bit meaty, a bit minerally. Firm flavours with a core of sweeter confectionary fruits. Thickens in the finish with a layer of funk.
St Huberts Pinot Noir 2006
Sourced from 20yr old vines.
Soft red fruits to smell; minerally and tangy as well. Quite nervy, like a jumping nervous kid. Thick ripe palate and liquered red fruits; quite pleasant. Actually quite powerful, albeit simple, but should handle some cellaring.
Tarrawarra 'Tin Cows' 2006
Younger vines of 8 - 12yrs.
Dark blood red core with some minor fade at the rim. Funky barnyard touches in the aromas, some spice, racy, a big tangy fruit. Chalk and minerals drive the flavours; tight, some bitterness. Acid drives a finish.
Oakridge 2006
Single vineyard, 100% whole bunch fermentation.
Similar in appearance to the Tin Cows. Settled red fruits on the nose along with mint and cherry. Very pleasant. Minerals and acid to taste; zingy, lively, not much obvious fruit and consequently no immediate appeal.
PHI 2006
Sourced from 22yr old vines.
Very dark blood red runs right through the colour spectrum. Friendly and open cherry fruits drive the aromas, vaguely Central Otago or Oregon; subtle yet has some depth. Simple palate of dry red fruits underpinned with chalk and lively acid. Again very good but just fails to excite.
Sheldermine 2006
Nice nose; soft red fruits, hints of banyard, zingy, well balanced. Slightly hard acids drive the palate early before making way for a softly fruited mouthfeel. Perhaps a bit '2' dimensional?
Yarra Burn 'Bastard Hill' 2006 (Recommended)
Only 1,800 bottles made.
Another softly structured Central Otago lookalike. Very complete and balanced with great underpinning sour fruits. Some acid prickle in the mid-palate. Very young. One of the very few big company wines I would actually consider purchasing for my own account.
Escarpement 2006 (Recommended)
The Martinborough ring-in. Quiet dark in colour. Funk, marzipan, cherries on the nose; heaps of immediate appeal. Very similar in the taste department but the fruit clearly steps up a notch or 2. Good length and very young.
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