South Australia

Not sure whether this has quite nailed the leaner style… Wakefield St Andrew’s Chardonnay 2013, Clare Valley, Australia (£22 Denby Dale Wines, Oz Wines, Fareham Wine Cellar) Quite tight and closed to start with, but slowly uncurls to show rich cashew and melon set against more precise citrus freshness, with […]

Wakefield St Andrew’s Chardonnay 2013, Clare Valley, Australia

October 28, 2014 by Simon

A consistent performer for forty years, and still going strong… Wirra Wirra Church Block 2012, McLaren Vale, Australia (£13.49 Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco, TheDrinkShop.com) Ripe fleshy cassis tinged with notes of smoky, earthy spice, some classic Aussie mint/eucalyptus notes, and a leathery note to the finish that will get stronger as […]

Wirra Wirra Church Block 2012, McLaren Vale, Australia

October 13, 2014 by Simon

No, 11 isn’t the vintage – this range includes GB 15 Pinot Grigio, GB56 Shiraz and so on… Grant Burge GB11 Rosé 2013, South Australia (£8.99 Nidderdale Fine Wines, The Wine Shop, www.thedrinkshop.com, Cheers Wine Merchants, Famous Wines) Quite deep in colour and I was expecting something rather sweet and […]

Grant Burge GB11 Rosé 2013, South Australia

July 25, 2014 by Simon

Sappy, refreshing wine made for Harvey Nicks by the Kilikanoon winery. Harvey Nichols Australian Riesling 2012, Clare Valley (£16 Harvey Nichols) Still a babe, but the taut mineral restraint of youth is starting to loosen its grip, allowing the tangy citrus and ripe green apple flavours and hint of blossom […]

Harvey Nichols Australian Riesling 2012

June 13, 2014 by Simon

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2007, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (~£30 McKinley Vintners) Complete, complex wine, with deep, dark berry, plum and blackcurrant flavours enhanced by an earthy, tobacco leaf character and a dense, almost savoury finish. Great combo of plushness with freshness, fine-grained tannins and great length, served the […]