Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 95pts
"I sunk the bulk of a bottle of this as I prepared Sunday dinner recently. It says a lot about its drinkability - and something about how easy it is to get drunk while you're cooking. The wine itself is superb. Think of just about any Torbreck red wine that you have loved, and then add a couple of notches of volume. It is a very intense wine. Syrupy, port-like plums, meat, smoke, cedar, fresh leather, lots of very fine tannin, star anise and sweet jubey raspberries. It's tempting to call it a fruit bomb, except that it's immaculately structured. The viognier is apparent, but in a pleasant way. And besides, there's all that smoky jubey coffeed aniseed-like flavour crashing all over it. It's quite an experience, no doubt. Dinner turned out great too, if you're wondering. Drink: 2008-2019."
Showing posts with label Wine Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wine Reviews. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Wine Review - Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2005
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 92pts
"Really like this. It has wonderful depth of flavour and yet it’s forever varietal too, with succulent cherry-plum and mint meeting an appropriate round of cedary oak. The tannins are firm, rigid and good, giving it a feeling of chewiness – a nice foil to the softness of the mid-palate. Drink: 2007-2013."
"Really like this. It has wonderful depth of flavour and yet it’s forever varietal too, with succulent cherry-plum and mint meeting an appropriate round of cedary oak. The tannins are firm, rigid and good, giving it a feeling of chewiness – a nice foil to the softness of the mid-palate. Drink: 2007-2013."
Wine Reviews - Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 88pts
"A mouthful of fun. Super-juicy, flavoursome, sweet-centred, licorice-allsort like wine, with aniseed and chocolate and candied raspberry flavours swooshing through the mouth. Smoky, toasty oak lends subtle support. Beautiful to drink. Give the pizza chef a rocket, and crack this baby. Drink: 2007-2009. 88 points."
"A mouthful of fun. Super-juicy, flavoursome, sweet-centred, licorice-allsort like wine, with aniseed and chocolate and candied raspberry flavours swooshing through the mouth. Smoky, toasty oak lends subtle support. Beautiful to drink. Give the pizza chef a rocket, and crack this baby. Drink: 2007-2009. 88 points."
Wine Review - Longhop Old Vines Grenache 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 87pts
"Big alcohol-driven red packed with raspberried fruit intensity. No complaints about the bang for your buck here. Raspberry, aniseed, sand, loam, cedar, the flavour mouthfilling and the aftertaste full of brandied warmth. Love the structure of it. Love the flavour of it. Not so keen on the heat of it. Drink: 2007-2011."
"Big alcohol-driven red packed with raspberried fruit intensity. No complaints about the bang for your buck here. Raspberry, aniseed, sand, loam, cedar, the flavour mouthfilling and the aftertaste full of brandied warmth. Love the structure of it. Love the flavour of it. Not so keen on the heat of it. Drink: 2007-2011."
Wine Review - Longhop Adelaide Plains Shiraz 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 88pts
"Fifteen bucks for all this? You've got to be kidding me. This is big warm-hearted Aussie red wine at its bargain best. Lashed with licorice and raspberry and plum-cake flavour, it attacks with sweet fruit and never gives your throat a rest until the whole bottle's gone. There's a wave of alcohol warmth on the finish but I forgive it - I took this to a BBQ and nearly got mobbed. Grab a steak. Grab this. Be happy. Drink: 2006-2009."
"Fifteen bucks for all this? You've got to be kidding me. This is big warm-hearted Aussie red wine at its bargain best. Lashed with licorice and raspberry and plum-cake flavour, it attacks with sweet fruit and never gives your throat a rest until the whole bottle's gone. There's a wave of alcohol warmth on the finish but I forgive it - I took this to a BBQ and nearly got mobbed. Grab a steak. Grab this. Be happy. Drink: 2006-2009."
Wine Review - Lenton Brae Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 89pts
"Gravelly, firm, long and regional. Full of blackcurrant and eucalypt-like flavour, that gravelly edge giving it class and dimension. Solid wine. Drink 2012 - 2018."
"Gravelly, firm, long and regional. Full of blackcurrant and eucalypt-like flavour, that gravelly edge giving it class and dimension. Solid wine. Drink 2012 - 2018."
Wine Review - Clonakilla Viognier 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 91pts
"Fresh, bountiful, fragrant wine with active, pippy fruit leaping from the glass. An explosion of scent and flavour, yet it puckers on the finish and stays controlled in its riot. Lots of warm, floral, nutty, kernel-like length. Another excellent release. Drink: 2007-2009. 91 points."
"Fresh, bountiful, fragrant wine with active, pippy fruit leaping from the glass. An explosion of scent and flavour, yet it puckers on the finish and stays controlled in its riot. Lots of warm, floral, nutty, kernel-like length. Another excellent release. Drink: 2007-2009. 91 points."
Wine Review - Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 90pts
"Another very good Hilltops shiraz. This is minty and blueberried, with plush, satiny, floral fruit flavours swishing through a sound, clean, beautifully fruited palate that does its best to seduce at every turn. Perfectly pitched, round, medium-weight wine of poise and balance. Drink: 2008-2014."
"Another very good Hilltops shiraz. This is minty and blueberried, with plush, satiny, floral fruit flavours swishing through a sound, clean, beautifully fruited palate that does its best to seduce at every turn. Perfectly pitched, round, medium-weight wine of poise and balance. Drink: 2008-2014."
Wine Review - Clonakilla Ballinberry Cabernet Blend 2005
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 93pts
"It's a blend of pretty much equal parts cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc - and again here, it's in excellent form. A lovely Bordeaux blend, begging for roast lamb. Firm, powdery, elongated tannins, expressive fruit - pencils, blackcurrant, earth - and racy acidity, the combination of which pulses through to a lengthy finish. It is stylish. It is high quality. Drink: 2007-2015."
"It's a blend of pretty much equal parts cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc - and again here, it's in excellent form. A lovely Bordeaux blend, begging for roast lamb. Firm, powdery, elongated tannins, expressive fruit - pencils, blackcurrant, earth - and racy acidity, the combination of which pulses through to a lengthy finish. It is stylish. It is high quality. Drink: 2007-2015."
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Wine Review - Batterly Durif 2005
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 94pts
"I would argue that this is the best Australian durif that I have tried. It reminds me a lot of a good nebbiolo. It's tannic and dry on the finish and yet floral, pretty, sweet and gorgeous through the mouth, roses and aniseed and gritty, minerally earth-like flavours giving it a distinctly Italianate feel. Given another five years bottle age, it should make for wonderful drinking. Drink: 2008-2015."
"I would argue that this is the best Australian durif that I have tried. It reminds me a lot of a good nebbiolo. It's tannic and dry on the finish and yet floral, pretty, sweet and gorgeous through the mouth, roses and aniseed and gritty, minerally earth-like flavours giving it a distinctly Italianate feel. Given another five years bottle age, it should make for wonderful drinking. Drink: 2008-2015."
Wine Review - Ravensworth Viognier 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 89pts
"Rich and textural. Restrained in its flavour through the mid palate, but it then blooms rich and wide through the finish, bringing with it the warming sensation of alcohol. White flowers, apricot stones, cooked ginger - it's quite lovely. Drink: 2007-2008."
"Rich and textural. Restrained in its flavour through the mid palate, but it then blooms rich and wide through the finish, bringing with it the warming sensation of alcohol. White flowers, apricot stones, cooked ginger - it's quite lovely. Drink: 2007-2008."
Wine Review - Ravensworth Marsanne 2006
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 92pts
"Super wine. Nutty, rich, mouthfilling, lengthy, brightened by tropical fruit flavours but then chalky and textural through the finish. Gorgeous drink. Filled the room with scent. Drink: 2007-2010."
"Super wine. Nutty, rich, mouthfilling, lengthy, brightened by tropical fruit flavours but then chalky and textural through the finish. Gorgeous drink. Filled the room with scent. Drink: 2007-2010."
Wine Review - McIvor Estate Reserve Sangiovese 2004
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 90pts
"I always find traces of eucalypt in Italian varietals particularly disturbing, and while there's not a lot of it here, there's enough to put me off. Otherwise it's quite a lovely wine: full of savoury tannin, rich with dark cherry/blueberry fruit flavour, pretty on the nose and serious in the mouth. It finishes rich and mouthfilling, and should age well. A sangiovese to watch - this is very concentrated for the breed. Drink: 2009-2015."
"I always find traces of eucalypt in Italian varietals particularly disturbing, and while there's not a lot of it here, there's enough to put me off. Otherwise it's quite a lovely wine: full of savoury tannin, rich with dark cherry/blueberry fruit flavour, pretty on the nose and serious in the mouth. It finishes rich and mouthfilling, and should age well. A sangiovese to watch - this is very concentrated for the breed. Drink: 2009-2015."
Wine Review - McIvor Estate Shiraz 2004
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 92pts
"Really good. Peppery, floral, pumped up with deep, plush, dark berried fruit and then juicy and silken on the finish. The fruit has totally consumed the oak, and the warm length of it is very satisfying. Love the mix of musk and violets here. It's a winner. Drink: 2007-2014."
"Really good. Peppery, floral, pumped up with deep, plush, dark berried fruit and then juicy and silken on the finish. The fruit has totally consumed the oak, and the warm length of it is very satisfying. Love the mix of musk and violets here. It's a winner. Drink: 2007-2014."
Wine Review - McIvor Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 89pts
"Love the fruit profile of this wine. It has a bit of class about it. It's blueberried, minerally, soft, earthen, loaded with ultra-fine tannin and soft through the mouth. There's some eucalypt in there too, but it's at a minor level. I thought it was a bit abbreviated on the finish at first, but it spread out with time in the glass. Very nice wine. Drink: 2008-2014."
"Love the fruit profile of this wine. It has a bit of class about it. It's blueberried, minerally, soft, earthen, loaded with ultra-fine tannin and soft through the mouth. There's some eucalypt in there too, but it's at a minor level. I thought it was a bit abbreviated on the finish at first, but it spread out with time in the glass. Very nice wine. Drink: 2008-2014."
Wine Review - Mount Horrocks Cabernet Merlot 2002
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront - 88pts
"Nice wine. Minty, simple, ripe and flavoursome, with integrated signs of green herb-like flavours in among the more dominant blackberry and mulberried flavour. It's all deliciously woven together, the tannins significant but very much a part of the wine, rather than sitting separate. I find that mint/spearmint character too dominant, but in all other respects it's a quality wine."
"Nice wine. Minty, simple, ripe and flavoursome, with integrated signs of green herb-like flavours in among the more dominant blackberry and mulberried flavour. It's all deliciously woven together, the tannins significant but very much a part of the wine, rather than sitting separate. I find that mint/spearmint character too dominant, but in all other respects it's a quality wine."
Wine Review - Blackjack Block 6 Shiraz 2005
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine - 91pts
"A modern, spotless shiraz whose deep, dark and spicy perfume of blackberries, cassis and sweet new dark chocolate/vanilla oak reveals undertones of cloves, cinnamon and dark pepper. Smooth and sumptuous, its pristine, vibrant dark fruit flavours are backed by mocha-like oak, suggestions of mint and menthol and a light minerality. Framed by silky, fine-grained tannins, it’s long, juice and persistent."
"A modern, spotless shiraz whose deep, dark and spicy perfume of blackberries, cassis and sweet new dark chocolate/vanilla oak reveals undertones of cloves, cinnamon and dark pepper. Smooth and sumptuous, its pristine, vibrant dark fruit flavours are backed by mocha-like oak, suggestions of mint and menthol and a light minerality. Framed by silky, fine-grained tannins, it’s long, juice and persistent."
Wine Review - Wedgetail Estate Chardonnay 2005
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine - 93pts
"Complex and flavoursome, this smooth and seamless chardonnay has rather a funky and smoky bouquet of grapefruit, lemon and melon backed by leesy undertones. Full to medium-bodied, with a plump and generous palate of vibrant fruit, savoury vanilla oak and meaty undertones, it finishes neatly, with attractive length and brightness."
"Complex and flavoursome, this smooth and seamless chardonnay has rather a funky and smoky bouquet of grapefruit, lemon and melon backed by leesy undertones. Full to medium-bodied, with a plump and generous palate of vibrant fruit, savoury vanilla oak and meaty undertones, it finishes neatly, with attractive length and brightness."
Wine Review - Stefano Lubiano Pinot Grigio 2006
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine - 86pts
"Rather broad and heavy-handed, with an estery, spicy and almost spiky aroma of mango, melon and lemon rind. Broad, generous and richly fruited, its round and juicy palate of melon and citrusy fruit is just a little spirity and warm, lacking genuine shape and definition."
"Rather broad and heavy-handed, with an estery, spicy and almost spiky aroma of mango, melon and lemon rind. Broad, generous and richly fruited, its round and juicy palate of melon and citrusy fruit is just a little spirity and warm, lacking genuine shape and definition."
Wine Review - Stefano Lubiano Riesling 2006
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine - 89pts
"Lean, taut and tightly focused, this fragrant and estery young riesling is a racy young cellar style with a spicy, lemon detergent-like aroma. Long and linear, its brightly flavoured palate of apple and citrusy fruit culminates in a sculpted, high acid finish. "
"Lean, taut and tightly focused, this fragrant and estery young riesling is a racy young cellar style with a spicy, lemon detergent-like aroma. Long and linear, its brightly flavoured palate of apple and citrusy fruit culminates in a sculpted, high acid finish. "
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