Mount Langhi Ghiran 2001 Billi Billi

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I: Western Victoria, Grampians
Vintage: 2001
Closure: Cork
Colour: Brickish red
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Red-currant jubes, coffee and cedar

Flavour: Earthy spice (cinnamon, turmeric), faint cherry and plum fruit. Surprising body in front but it falls away to a small, lingering finish

Points: 88 (5+9+11+6+7+50)

Notes: The last of my brother's old wines. Tasted the 2000 a few years ago. It's past its peak although the nose is spectacular.

The Story 2013 Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I: Western Victoria, Henty
Vintage: 2013

Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Pale yellow
Alcohol: 12.0%
Bouquet: Limey aromas with some wet stone in the mix. Sweet (residual sugar) also present

Flavour: Off dry, elegant wine held together with good acidity and a long finish. The fruit flavours up front tend to ripe kiwi fruit and lime. The long finish is embellished with minerality (which is generally uncommon here) 

Points: 87 (3+7+11.5+8+7.5+50)

Notes: One of the nicest Rieslings in a while. Provided by my current visitor.

 

Palatine Hills Winery Estate 2010 Cabernet Franc

Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Niagara Lakeshore

Vintage: 2010

Closure: Cork
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Restrained nose with the eventual emergence of twigs and fruit punch

Flavour: Excellent tannin and length which impressed the group. A little tingle in the finish. Savoury fruit flavours (thyme, rosemary with plum fruit)

Points: 85 (3+6+11+8+7+50)

Notes: This was the winner of our tasting which S. brought with her from Canada. By chance, I tasted it while I was in Toronto and marked it higher. (In comparison to the other wines we tasted, it was closed in the nose and I marked it down on the night). A lovely wine which probably needs some breathing time

Ross Hill Wines 2010 Pinnacle Series Cabernet Franc

Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region/G.I: Central Ranges, Orange

Vintage: 2010

Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Purple with dark brown/purple hue
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: A touch of wet earth and crushed regular cherry

Flavour: Well rounded with sweet, plummy fruit. A very long finish and very nice tannin in the finish

Points: 87 (4+7+11+8+7+50)

Notes: This was my contribution to the Cab Fran night and I rated it second best. It lost to the winner of our tasting by 1/2 point overall, so it was pretty close. Purchased at the cellar door three years ago for $36~700Kc. This winery is famous for this wine.

Fox Creek Wines 2010 James Stanley Malpas

Varieties: Shiraz 78%, Cabernet Sauvignon 16%, Cabernet Franc 6%
Region: Rioja

Vintage: 2010

Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Wet cow, minced cherry and cocktail cherry
Flavour: Soft on the palate, new world fruitiness (according to the nose), a touch of tartness and very mild tannins underlying all

Points: 88 (4+8+11+8+7+50)

Notes: My favourite from the evening although technically it contains a very small amount of Cabernet Franc. Shamelessly New World in style. Excels in this style.

Picardy 2010 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc

Varieties: Merlot 54%, Cabernet Sauvignon 27%, Cabernet Franc 19%
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Pemberton
Vintage: 2010

Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with purple hue
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Wet wood and a touch of wet animal

Flavour: Full mouth, very nice tannin in mid-palate. Soft, fruit is much like ripe plums and prunes. A little short at the end

Points: 84 (3+7+10+7+7+50)

Notes: This came last in our tasting of Cabernet Franc night. Quite good but it was a strong tasting that night.

Faustino Rivero Ulecia 2008 Reserva

 

Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha
Region: Rioja

Vintage: 2008

Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 13.00%
Bouquet: Piercing sour cherry, rotting/damp twigs on a forest floor
Flavour: Gentle, smooth with just ripe red currants flavours easing into soft tannins for the finish

Points: 85 (4+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes: Solid wine after wondering what $13.00~250Kc buys in terms of entry level reserva at a liquor warehouse. Ready to celebrate the cooler weather with a few reds now.