De Bortoli 2011 Off Dry Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 11.50%
Colour: Pale yellow
Bouquet: Strong lime/lemon aromas of ripe skins, whiffs of petrol on wet concrete
Flavour: Medium bodied with nice length. Fruit according to the nose with a long finish which has good mineral flavours. Lovely weight on the tongue which gives lots of time to enjoy the flavours.
Points: 86 (4+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: This was s surprise as we tasted it while in the Yarra Valley which is famous in Australia for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The large family producer has a wide range of wine and I'm usually a fan. M and I picked this up for $16.20 ~ 290Kc which is a good price/value ratio here.

Dalfarras 2007 Pinot Gris Viognier

Varieties: Pinot Gris, Viognier
Region/G.I.: Central Victoria, Goulburn Valley, Nagambie Lakes
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 13.0%
Colour: Metallic yellow
Bouquet: Strong aged tones, petroleum with hints of lemon
Flavour: Rather light at the start but ends with lime and rather powerful mineral flavours. Something almost wet dried-glass tasting as well. Fantastic
Points: 87 (4+7+11+7.5+7.5+50)
Notes: This disproves the idea that wine does not age in screwcap. It has developed very nicely since I last tasted it a couple of years ago. This is a $11.00 (~188 kc) bottle from the mass liqour shops here. I've had this a couple years.

Cien y Pico 2009 Doble Pasta

Variety: Tintorera
Region: Manchuela
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: Purple
Bouquet: Spicey, red-currant preserve with hints of wood
Flavour: Straightforward wine which moves quickly from red-currant to a tannic finish. Good acidity. Probably could be served slightly chilled for summer as a lighter, refreshing drink.
Points: 82 (3+7+10+6+6+50)
Notes: Present from suppliers.

Hugh Hamilton 2012 The Mongrel Sangiovese

Variety: Sangiovese (given the name and description on the bottle, also Merlot and Tempranillo in small amounts)
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: Brickish purple
Bouquet: Fruity regular cherry, dried herbs (like rosemary) and stalks
Flavour: Smokey flavours, charred meat with secondary fruit flavours of soury cherry. Brambly flavours there as well. Excellent acidity although not lengthy.
Points: 86 (4+7+12+6+7+50)
Notes: I've enjoyed wine from this producer previously and increasingly a fan of the McLaren Vale region. $14~250Kc through a wine club.

Mountain Ridge Wines 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (split unknown)
Region/G.I.: South Coast, Shoalhaven Coast
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 11.7%
Colour: Pale yellow/green
Bouquet: Predominately lychee
Flavour: Crisp and round with almost pineapple flavurs leading to the highlight of sourness in the finish. No grass.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes: A surprise from a holiday region. Price/value of the small winery is hard to compete with that of large producers. Retail is $22~400Kc per bottle.

 

Curious Kiwi 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 12.5%
Colour: Pale yellow
Bouquet: Strong gooseberry
Flavour: Crisp, straightforward, almost steely wine with a hint of lemon and sourness in the finish. No grass.

Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)

Notes: Perfect quaffer for a hot Sydney evening. $14~ 250Kc

 

Wither Hills 2012 Pinot Gris

Notes from 21 months ago on the mark but overall I think the score is more towards 85 (4+7+11+6+7). Lacks length.