Grossi 2011 Barbera

Variety: Barbera
Region/G.I.: North East Victoria, King Valley
Vintage: 2011
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: dark purple to almost brown
Bouquet: Excellent aromas of tobacco leaf, bay leaf
Flavour: Tobacco lead in flavour, dried, almost burnt herbs, hints of sour cherry and just peeled bark. Nice acidity and good length.
Points: 87 (3+7.5+11.5+7.5+7.5+50)
Notes:  Thoroughly enjoyed this savoury wine although not sure it would go well on the local market which tends to favour heavy fruit. Bought a couple of years ago for $13.60~240Kc.

Saint Clair Family Estate 2012 Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.0%
Colour: Steel-Yellow
Bouquet: Barbequed pineapple aromas (not overpowering), baked pear as well
Flavour: A heavy body of barbequed pineapple, pear skins and mineral tones lead to an even, long finish. A lingering mineral finish which is also soft. Well integrated.
Points: 86.5 (3+7+11.5+7.5+7.5+50)
Notes:  I think this has developed since the last three times I tasted it with definite barbequed pineapple flavours now evident. Pear flavours still in existence. Smoothness also a feature. The last of my bottles. Any again, a Thursday night.

 

Frogmore Creek 2015 Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Tasmania
Vintage: 2015
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 12.5%
Colour: Green-yellow
Bouquet: Lime and a hint of pineapple
Flavour: Citrus flavours with a good body with almost a tingle, pineapple kernel sweetness suggesting this off-dry style and a hint of sourness in the finish
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  This was one of the wines tasted at cellar doors on Friday and we bought a bottle to enjoy yesterday. The off-dry style worked very well and is a departure from the usual bone-dry used
 

Plantagenet Wines 2007 Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Great Southern
Vintage: 2007
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Dark purple (not showing age) 
Bouquet: Chocolate, berries/jam and a hint of funk (forest floor)
Flavour: A gentle, aged wine with Christmas cake flavours of raisons, candied cherries and spices like cinnamon. Smooth and even. Nice, elegant finish.
Points: 85.5 (3+8+11.5+6+7+50)
Notes:  I took this away to try as my friend recently tried the 2003 under cork which was finished. The 2007 is very elegant and still fine. I bought this 5 years ago for $11.40~205Kc.  

Chateau D'Epire 2013

Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Savennieres
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.0%
Colour: Yellow
Bouquet: Possibly served too cold, as we struggled to get a bouquet
Flavour: Unusual given the brine and mineral flavours of this wine. The fruit was distant (canned lychees?). Weighty without being flabby, the distinctive flavours were held together with sufficient acidity and held a good length.
Points: 82 (3+4+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  A lack of bouquet may have unfairly recued the score. We probably should have let it open. My sister brought this back in 2015 after enjoying wines in the Loire Valley

Tim Adam 2009 Sheppard's Vineyards Riesling

Variety:  Riesling
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2009
Colour: yellow
Alcohol: 11.0%
CLosure: Screwcap
Bouquet: Petroleum and lemon
Flavour: Silky smooth texture. This is an elegant Riesling which retains nice acidity with its tart, lemon flavours
Points: 86 (3+ 8+11+7+7)
Notes: A wine I've had for a few years waiting to be enjoyed. About $12~200Kc when bought
 

Peos Estate Wines 2013 Pinot Noir

Almost a year since I tasted this the first time. The nose is the highlight and commentary largely the same. Given the heat, we enjoyed it slightly chilled.