Cobaw Ridge 2010 L'altra Chardonnay

The third of our Chardonnays tasted. We debated whether it was simply a bad bottle. The nose was not quite right and the odour masked any flavour. Sniffing it again now, a day later, it is clear it's a bad bottle. Pity as it is from the little known region of Macedon Ranges.

Killerby Wines 2010 Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South West Australia, Margaret River
Vintage:  2010
Colour: Apple-green yellow
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Crispy green apple and pear 
Flavour: Citrus flavours (lemon and grapefruit) and nice acidity but no real complexity to it. Well balanced.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  By itself it was fine but in comparison to the Langmeil tasted, it was the poorer choice. From the Margaret River where everything is pricier, this was $15.50 ~ 300 Kc.

Langmeil Winery 2010 The Long Mile Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Barossa, Eden Valley
Vintage:  2010
Colour: Pale yellow
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Green apple, pear and hints of creamy vanilla
Flavour: Lemon pith and vanillan flavours. A balanced, full bodied wine with a long, pleasant finish and a touch of customary sourness to finish.
Points: 87 (3+7+12+8+7+50)
Notes:  F. came round to try a couple of Chards and his one we took to be bad. This was the best of the three we tasted and although normally around $19, I picked it up last year from a wine club for $8.40 ~ 155 Kc.

Coriole 2012 Sangiovese

Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage:  2012
Colour: Purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Faint fruit and a hint of alcohol 
Flavour: Much better than the nose would suggest. Dense Christmas cake flavours (plum, dried fruits like sultanas,hints of vanilla and cinnamon)
Points: 84 (3+5+12+7+7+50)
Notes:  Part of our Sangiovese tasting. My problem with this one was its bouquet which was probably the least inviting of all the wines tried. Pity, because everything else is very positive for it

Tomich Hill 2012 Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Vintage:  2012
Colour: Limey yellow
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Intense apple as well as thick apple skin aromas with the faintest hint of cinnamon
Flavour: Simple, lemon zesty flavours with nice sourness. Crisp and straightforward.
Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)
Notes:  A good quaffer from a selection of Pinot Gris/Grigio wines bought this year. $14.85~295 Kc. I have tasted something from this producer before and it was fine as well.

Brindabella Hills Winery 2010 Brio

Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Canberra District
Vintage:  2010
Colour: Brick Red
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Dusty, stewed plum and blackberries (After more than an hour, additional meaty tones were also present)
Flavour: Savoury herbs like Rosemary seemlessly integrated with gentle fruit flavours according to the nose with a long, lingering finish. Balance was sensational.
Points: 89 (4+7+12+8+8+50)
Notes:  The winner of our Australian grown versions of Sangiovese. Last year I enjoyed the Rose from this producer. In the wine club this was a bargain $13.60  (~270 Kc). One left.

Alpha Box & Dice 2007 Blood Jupiter

Variety: Sangiovese 78%, Cabernet Sauvignon 22%
Region: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage:  2007
Colour: Purple
Alcohol: 15.0%
Bouquet: Sweet fruit giving away its New World creation with a touch of dusty wood
Flavour: As the nose suggested, the fruit flavours of red currants and mulberry were distinct but there was the added complexity of some woody element and some light tannin in the finish. Good but in our blind tasting we were blind sighted by the winning wine
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  A very enjoyable wine and the second I have tasted from this producer from the McLaren Vale. It came 2nd in our tasting.