2008 La Linea Adelaide Hills Tempranillo

As with my previous post I love Tempranillo so as I was walking around my local Celebrations looking for a bottle to share with you all I couldn't walk past this one. A classic clear cherry red in the glass the look of this wine will not disappoint. No legs to speak of I was surprised to see 13.5% even on the bottle. On the nose you get the varietal strawberry and light dry herbs and spice. Lovely and light on the palate this wine shows again the traditional characteristics you'd expect from a Tempranillo, juicy red berry fruits, fine tannin structure and slightly dry there is a herbaciousness on the medium length finish that is intriguing but not necessarily desirable.

In short this is a dry but fruity red that should definitely be enjoyed with food and could probably do with some bottle age. More of a traditional style than the Mr Riggs i've reviewed earlier and much less approchable but overall enjoyable.

It received a 91 from James Halliday which i think is a little over stated and has definitely been dragged up by this wine being very true to the traditional spanish style. Unfortunately I can only bear to give this a 7 out of 10 at best and would steer most people toward the Mr Riggs Yacca Paddock unless they already know that they like the more traditional spanish style.

I purchased this wine for $26.70 from the Celebrations and have struggled to find this wine online. To be absolutely honest you can get a better Tempranillo and much more approachable for a lot less. Still good value for money really but only if you are looking for a dry wine.

Personally I'll be buying a Mr Riggs next time I'm looking for a Tempranillo but hey don't let me hold you back from trying something new. Although if you want to try something new there are plenty of other wines for the same price point that will treat your palate better.

Lenton Brae

I visited Lenton Brae vineyard the other day and was excited by the wines as well as impressed by the cellar door and it's story. As such I thought I should share my experience with you all.

Lenton Brae cellar is set back from Caves Road in the heart of Wilyabrup, 15-20 mins north of Margaret River. You can almost drive straight past the entrance unless you are looking for it but if you do happen to drive past please do turn around as the wine list shouldn't be missed. It is one of the only cellar's i've visited where I've enjoyed or appreciated all the wines on the tasting list.

As you drive down the narrow entrance road you are welcomed by well groomed vines and a heritage listed building with architecture that will impress most. As you walk up the steps the the cellar entry you get an excellent view out over the valley and the vineyards which produce the majority of the fruit used in the wines you are about to sample. If you are lucky enough to be touring through the week you will be cheerfully greeted by Lenton Brae's exceptional Cellar Sales attendant Chris who is more than keen to impart his wealth of knowledge on all who visit and will listen. As you taste your wine you can wander onto a viewing platform which looks down into the working winery which is most interesting.

The wine list will look very similar to every other winery in the Margaret river region with the typical SSB's, Chardonnay's and of course Cabernet and blends of but don't be tempted to skip any as all the range is worth a try. Even though you will double up on a couple of varieties each wine has its own style and are all stand out drops that although don't all appeal to my palate were all very approachable and very very drinkable. Nothing under a 8 out of 10 in my opinion on the entire tasting list, unfortunately I didn't take notes on any of the wines I tasted to share with you but keep an eye out as I will definitely will be purchasing some of the range and doing write ups on them. Only a couple from the range are distributed so if you do see anything from this stand out winery do not hesitate to grab it and give it a shot, if it's a variety you like to drink its very unlikely you'll be disappointed. Good luck and happy drinking. 

2008 Wallace by Ben Glaetzer Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache

Deep dark crimson purple from a short distance this wine looks black in the glass but on closer look is absolutely beautiful, long thick legs the colour clings to the glass as you swirl it. From a standard glass I found this wine to be quite closed on the nose but in my Riedel glass with a good swirl it opens up and is quite pronounced with rich dark cherries and a jammy sweetness that is very attractive. On the palate this is a very large wine with an absolute richness that to some palates will be simply overwhelming, big dark berry fruit flavours engulf your mouth with a touch of vanilla and a medium length this wine begs you to take another sip. The pleasantly lightly spiced finish leads you into that next sip in search of that fruity goodness.

In short the only way I can describe this wine is that it is moreish for anyone who can handle a big fruity wine. Half way to syrupy it won't please a lot of palates but I think it is simply delightful in small doses. Enjoy this beauty with or without food as it is very easy, scratch that, way too easy drinking.

There is a great write up in 'The Big Red Wine Book 2010/2011' which has become almost a bible for me in the past couple of years and volumes and I recommend any red wine lover take a browse through one of these. 91 from the guys from The Big Red Wine Book and a 94 from James Halliday it's been appreciated across the industry, for me solid 9 - 9.5 out of 10 again in small doses.

The all important test, is this wine good value for money? I paid $21.80 at my local Celebrations and it seems to be around $23 across everywhere else I see it which I think is great value for money, you should be able to pick it up in a discount liquor store like Dan Murphy's for around $19. It also looks as if we have moved into the next vintage of this recently which I will not be shy about trying.

I've liked Ben Glaetzer's wine for a long time now and will be making a point of tasting and adding each of his range to my collection over time. Good luck with this cracka wine and happy drinking.

Crittenden Estate 2007 Pinocchio Sangiovese

It's been a while since I've had time to sit down and do a review and I apologise to followers of this blog for that, but now here I am and with a commitment to try to get 2 done a week dependant on my work loads and drinking patterns. I'm also here with a interesting little wine which to be honest I'm still making my mind up about.

I first saw this wine in a restaurant at pub and purchased a bottle without blinking and also every time we went back to eat, then today as I strolled through my local Celebrations store it caught my eye again and I couldn't resist grabbing a bottle as my fiance really loves it, although upon sampling I fear this is a different vintage to the one we are used to at that restaurant and perhaps from a different region, this one is a Heathcote and the 08 is King Valley.

This wine is fairly attractive in the glass, a light cherry to ruby red with flashes of rust toward the rims it appears quite clear but on further inspection is actually quite opaque, not the only little surprise this wine holds. Almost non existant legs confirming the 13.5% alcohol as per the label. A pronounced earthy nose with dark berries and tobacco as quiet secondary notes lead you to a dry yet overal attractive aroma. Dry grainy tannins engulf your palate, young sour cherry flavours come through with earthy spice on the finish of this light bodied wine with unexpected excellent fruity length. A great representation of this interesting little varietal.

In short a more traditional sangiovese than I had expected when I picked the bottle up. Very dry grainy wine that really won't please a lot of people's palates although if dry is your bag then you'll love this little baby. There is a fruitiness that is very pleasant and great cherry flavours that linger for quite some time.

I've not been able to find any reviews by major critics but the 2008 got an 89/100 in the Gourmet Traveller. I'd really only be able to give this a very generous 7/10 and whole heartedly believe it would have been a lot better a year or so ago and 100 times better with food. Saying that if I can get hold of a 2008 I definitely will give it a shot as I am sure I had a much better opinion of this wine at that restaurant.

At $20 a bottle it wouldn't be that much of an expensive mistake if you wanted to try this out but definitely don't pay any more than that for it and definitely don't rush out and grab a bottle as there is plenty of better ways to spend $20 like perhaps on the 08 vintage. You should be able to get it from the winery directly in its current vintage or www.mywinestore.com.au also keeps stock in minimum quantities of 3 at a time. Expect to pay $35 + in a restaurant.

As always good luck with your purchase decisions, don't let me turn you off this wine completely but perhaps try the 08, happy drinking and good health.

Torbreck Descendant 2004 Shiraz Viognier

Wow is my first impression of this beauty, as in wow what a big full bodied wine! Beautiful dark purple in your glass, so dark you'd swear its opaque but on further observation its really fine and clear. On the nose there definite purple berries and plum with hints of ink and slight floral notes. Massive legs on the glass highlight the 14.5% alcohol which I would say is much higher. Silky feel across your whole palate with soft subtle grainy tannins and juicy fruit this wine will blow you away. If you don't like big palate weight steer well clear of this wine.

To simplify if you answer yes to the following questions try this wine if there is a single no then simply don't waste your cash. Do you like massive wines? Are big fruit flavours high on your priority list? Would you try a wine if someone told you it had Ink in its description? Can you handle paying the same for a bottle of wine as for a good meal for two? Can you handle laying a wine down for 12-18 years before you touch it?
This is a big complex and fruity wine that anyone who likes Viognier blends will at least like but most will love. Highly recommend letting this wine stay down until at least 2015-2020 as it will simply only get better.

Halliday gave it a solid 96 and Campbell Mattinson 95 with the following comments;

"It’s made off relatively young vines but this release is the breakthrough vintage for this label – the mammoth, concentrated, overwhelming power of this wine says anything but immaturity. It’s a monster. But an exceptionally pure monster. Full of warm, floral, plummy, porty fruit with a nutty aftertaste and a carve of finely tailored tannins. It makes you sit straighter in your chair. It is over the top, but it is as fine as such a style can be."

 My rating on this wine is defiantly 9 out of 10 and would increase with age definitely, I am very impressed by David Powell's range and am more than happy to have a selection sitting in my cellar.

$125 is a normal price for this bottle and paying much more would be a waste of cash. You can acquire a bottle from good boutique wine cellars but if you want to get some fish around the auctions and you should pick them up a little cheaper but whatever you pay for it this wine is worth it. Saying that you could actually get half a case of something just as drinkable to drink now for the same price not to say that is the better option it really just depends on your priorities. I certainly wouldn't rush to drink another bottle of this right now, I would undoubtedly buy and lay it down to add some prestige to my personal cellar.

If you manage to get a bottle and lay it down or drink it please let me know what you think and as alway enjoy and happy drinking!

Mr Riggs 2008 Yacca Paddock Tempranillo

This Tempranillo looks fantastic, a deep opaque cherry red it displays flashes of purple as you swirl it round your glass, it also leaves fantastic legs that stain the glass displaying its high 14.5% alcohol content. Fragrant the slightly fruity slightly earthy nose draws you in, the complex dark fruit stands out and is very pleasant. Velvety and smooth on the front of the palate with savoury fruit and dark cherry flavours which linger after a pleasant hit of good tannin structure. With great length this wine is very impressive and gets 10 fold better with a bit of food which brings out the smooth velvety fruit characteristics and softens the tannins.

To be blunt and uncomplicated..... I loved the approachability of this wine for most palates. Good fruit, not to dry, not too sweet, just good easy drinking with a pleasant complexity that will have more sophisticated palates still asking for more.

Halliday had this to say and gave it 94;

Brightly coloured; has impressive focus, length and intensity to its display of spicy black cherry fruit, and convincing tannins on the finish.

All accounts of this wine I have seen are good Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh had this to say in their 'Big Red Wine Book 2010/11;

There's something cool and dusty about this wine. In a good way. It tastes like a mix of juicy cherries and dusty earth, and when you swallow you'd almost swear that you'd just finished licking a granite rock. Seriously! It has that mineral kind of flavour. We're fans.

I give this a 9.5 out of 10 and seriously will be buying some more tomorrow as I really enjoyed it.

www.nicks.com.au has the 2007 vintage of this wine at $24.99 a bottle as to various other online stores but I managed to purchase is from First Choice liquor for about $22. Either way its not exactly a cheap bottle but definitely worth the price you pay. Don't pay more than $27 because you'd be getting ripped but definitely buy a bottle and try it.

I love Tempranillo and even more now I've learned how to pronounce it correctly and this just slipped into one of my all time favourites. This tasting has prompted me to try more of Ben Riggs' wines including some other labels I've seen advertised. Wish me luck! You'll be sure to hear how I go. Happy drinking.

Peter Lehmann Seven Surveys 2007 Shiraz Mourvèdre Grenache (SMG)

A light ripe cherry red in the glass this wine is quite opaque with flashes of pink to the rims. Decent legs on this labelled at 14% alcohol. Quite pronounced with rich sweet dark berry fruits this blend from the start is an attractive drop. On first taste you get that sweetness on the front of the palate and a light acidity from this medium bodied, silky and well balanced twist on a traditional Rhône valley blend. The second mouthful just slides off the palate and lingers well with a medium length. In terms of flavours its that dark blackforest style flavours which make this wine very moreish. 


To make this easy this wine displays fruit, not too much acidity, silky feel in your mouth and terrific balance. Unless you hate fruit this is a wine that will please all.


Campbell Mattinson had this to say;

The trick here is to make a wine that does not taste dilute, even though it’s light and ‘easy’. The Lehmann cheapies manage to walk that fine line with remarkable consistency. Easier said than done.

Others have positives and negatives to say about it, myself 8/10 is fair I'd say for this very drinkable wine. Definitely worth it for a social drink


www.discountwines.com has this beauty at $14.95 a bottle and Dan's stocks this at a decent price as well, $20 would be the upper limit you would pay. Wine selectors also has this wine at a slightly more discounted price and you wouldn't be disappointed to receive it in a mixed dozen.


Grab one - try it, love it - buy more, don't mind - it buy more or if you really don't like it you haven't wasted too much on it. Great value for money and quite impressive. Hope you enjoy it.

T'Gallant 2007 Claudius

Unfiltered this wine looks very cloudy both in the bottle and in the glass, a dark lemony colour it does look quite appealing until you stick your nose over the glass. It has a very dirty aroma like the liquid in canned asparagus. On the palate it is just as dirty but slightly more pleasant with a medium body and acidity and unfortunately it has good length.

In summary this wine is almost undrinkable in my eyes. Don't shy away from a tasting as it is definitely an experience but don't just blindly buy a bottle as I'm sure you will be disappointed.

I doubt any professional has done a rating on this although I'd love to read one as it would be an eye opener. I honestly can't even rate this wine as if I did it would come out being negative I'm sure.

I'm fairly sure you will only be able to purchase this from the cellar door @ $29 a bottle as I doubt any good wine merchant would tarnish their name by selling you a bottle without letting you taste it and like it.

Don't buy a bottle unless you've tasted it and like it, if you do happen to think its great then please let me know as I'd love to know why. Enjoy if you try this but if you have an option buy and Imogen instead!

T'Gallant Cyrano 2009 Pinot Noir

This wine looks like a dark translucent ruby sitting the the bottom of the glass. A lovely red berry jam aroma with a hint of subtle spice it's pleasantly light on the palate and the aromas are backed up with similar flavours. Strawberry jam on the front of your palate supported by sweet spice down the sides and medium acidity. There are pleasant tannins that linger slightly and the fruit flavours stay giving it good length. There is a noticeable lack of the peppery finish for a Pinot but that is welcomed as it makes this an approachable wine for most palates.

This is a great wine to start anyone on the path of Pinot Noirs with its lovely jam flavours and aromas I can't really see why anyone would dislike this wine. There is no huge dryness, no huge pepper hits its all just there subtly making it very approachable and worth try.

This vintage hasn't been tasted by James Haliday yet and I haven't seen any other reviews but previous vintages have gotten 90 or above and great reviews. I would give this a solid 9 and would drink it any day of the week ending in a y.

Price wise again slightly over priced at the cellar door at $35 a bottle but in all honesty I've tasted far less appealing wines for the same price. You can buy it online for $24.46 a bottle from webcellars.com.au and I'd imagine you should pick it up for around $25 or better from a bottle shop of Dan Murphy's. I definitely wouldn't pay more than that for it however because although I have given it quite a good rating its still what I'd call a low end Pinot.

I'd recommend you all give this wine a taste, enjoy and happy drinking!

T'Gallant Imogen 2008 Pinot Gris

I was pleasantly surprised by this wine and although its not the first time I have experienced its beauty it is definitely the first time I have really thought about it. Pale straw in colour and impeccably translucent this wine sits just like any other young white in the glass except for its marginally impressive legs showing off the 14.5% alcohol that it is labelled at. With a well pronounced nose it has a beautiful floral aroma that fills your nose and almost closes out those subtle tropical smells that make this such an appealing and approachable wine. On the palate this is a simply delicious drop, rich and round it slides just as easily off the back of your palate as if it were never in your mouth but then pleasantly has medium length so you can enjoy it for just that bit longer. The flavour really highlights the fruit with a slight hint of green olive over those balanced tropical flavours, lightly acidic you will find this to be an easy quaffing wine.

In summary a very pleasant wine all round, it smells good, it tastes good and with a touch more acidity would be nearly perfect. Anyone who enjoys Pinot Gris will not be disappointed and anyone who wants a pleasant drinking wine will definitely enjoy. Not too fruity and not to dry it will just make you smile.

James Halliday rated this at 90 and had the following to say;

"Has plenty of flavour and mouthfeel, the flavours correct, as is the structure, but would be better still with a touch more acidity."

I agree and gave this wine an 8.5/10 and although it seems a trend that I am rating all my tastings high you will see that I really only have tried top quality wines.

The cellar door over prices this wine @ $26 a bottle. It runs out of Dan Murphy's at about $15 a bottle. Grays Online also sell it at auction but if you are paying around $18 a bottle then you really are getting a quality enjoyable wine at a good price.

Please do try this drop as you will be happy with your money spent. You could pay a lot more for a bottle of Pinot Gris and be far less happy. Enjoy.

T'Gallant

T'Gallant cellar door and restaurant is just down the road from Ten Minutes By Tractor and is absolutely worth the visit. It is set as an Italian Trattoria and has a wonderful atmosphere, the pizza's and tapas available are fantastic and the list of their own wines plus a selection of external mostly international wines makes lunch a pleasure. With a resident cat and some live music it makes for a lovely afternoon in the sun (or rain being the peninsular) for a couple or a small group. There is also a restaurant with a great sit down menu. The cellar door staff are fantastic and knowledgable and there is an interesting gentleman getting on in years now that is well worth the chat. He has some very interesting background knowledge and a good honest opinion about all the wines on the list that he is not scared of sharing. The labelling and naming of the wines is not only interesting but fantastically smart and appealing and make the trip worth while even if you don't like the wines. Ensure even if you are not a sweet tooth you try the Romeo and the range of Moscatos as well as the very interesting Claudius which most will not like but is worth the look. Over the coming days I'll post some reviews along with the rest of the Ten Minutes By Tractor Range. I hope you can make it there and enjoy it as much as we did. Happy drinking.

Ten Minutes By Tractor 2009 10X Pinot Noir

This wine has  a lovely deep cherry colouring that is quite dark but still quite clear. Great legs for its 13.8% alcohol, none the less very visually appealing. Quite pronounced you will get big red berry with cinnamon and a slightly dusty nose. On the palate it is quite light and fresh with fine acidity and a hit of lovely cherry fruit. Spicy oaky flavours balance this wine out giving it good length and making it a seriously drinkable wine.

In summary this wine is neither too fruity or too peppery, the fruitiness makes it attractive with out it being a fruit bomb and the sweet spice hits off the back of your tongue and disappears as you swallow and the sweet cherry flavours linger in your mouth. Any Pinot Noir lover should grab a bottle of this as it will drive you wild.

I can't seem to see any professional reviews on this wine but I don't think it needs one. I give it a very solid 8.5 out of 10 so much so that I left the cellar door with a bottle.

As with other bottles from this winery it comes with a price tag at $36 a bottle from the cellar door but is absolutely worth it. There are much worse Pinot Noir's out there with much heftier price tags. You can pick it up from Wine House in South Melbourne for $34.95 a bottle and I'm sure many little boutique bottle shops around the Peninsular and Melbourne that carry Peninsular wines. Don't pay more than $38 as you can get a better deal.

One of the better Pinot Noir's I've tasted and value for money is second to none but for those of you who don't wanna spend that much there are others around that fit a more approachable price bracket. Highly recommend this wine so please do enjoy.

Ten Minutes By Tractor 2009 10X Pinot Gris

This wine has a lovely clear bright golden appearance with reasonable legs displaying the 13.5% alcohol that this wine is labeled as. It has pear and slight floral notes on the nose with a hint of sweetness like honey suckle which makes it very attractive. It is quite light on the palate, light acidity and slightly viscous it is very pleasant in your mouth. Juicy with minerality with a slightly nutty finish that will leave you wanting more this wine should be enjoyed now!

To summarise this is a fantastically drinkable wine for those who enjoy Pinot Gris or those who just like an easy drinking wine that is crisp and not too fruity. Highly recommend on a summers afternoon with a light cheese platter.

James Halliday rated this 90 points and noted the wine to be

"a complex and savoury combination of pear, spice and lightly toasted almonds; generous and fleshy on the palate, with a savoury nutty conclusion from the oak maturation."

 I would definitely agree with the above and give this wine a solid 8.5/10, it may have got a 9 if I'd been tasting it with food.

Unfortunately the only downfall the this wine is that it comes in at a pretty penny of $28 a bottle from the cellar door. Although it is worth every cent there is other Pinot Gris' out there that come close for quite a bit cheaper. The only other place I personally have seen this available is Wine House in Melbourne who are normally very reasonably priced, they have it for $29.95 for a single bottle which indicates that you may not find it cheaper.

I'd recommend you drop by the cellar door for a taste. You will not be disappointed and make your decision there if you'd like to purchase. If its on the menu at a restaurant please pay the extra and grab it as a treat.

Ten Minutes By Tractor

My Fiancé and I decided to have a nice day out down the peninsular and drop past a few of the local cellar doors. I must say that the cellar door and restaurant at Ten Minutes By Tractor is absolutely spectacular and well worth a visit. The staff were lovely and welcoming and had a definite passion for their produce, they were more than happy to discuss all aspects of the wines on offer in as much or as little depth as you were willing to listen and interact with them. Anyone looking for a nice tasting of wonderful wines should definitely drop by here for their spectacular Chardonnays and amazing Pinot Noirs that will not disappoint. To rate this it would have to be a 10/10 experience and the wines.... well you will see in my following posts. Enjoy!

2006 Schild Estate Shiraz

Welcome to my first of hopefully endless reviews, I have chosen a format I'd like to follow but I may update it as time goes on. Let me start with a formal description and review, then I will give a straight honest easy to understand description and review, some quotes from professional opinions followed lastly by price guide and where to buy from. So lets get into it and see how it works out.

A lovely looking wine with a opaque dark plum red look to. Semi impressive legs highlight the 14.5% alcohol as per the label although I suspect it would be more like 15%. Subtly spicy on the nose with sweet berry fruits coming through, the vanilla from the American oak is there subtly if you really go searching for it. Medium bodied on the pallet it is a very easy drinking wine, subtle tannins with a medium length it has tart under ripe black cherry flavours with plum and a hint of vanilla.

To summarise all that it is not a fruity as you expect from a big Barossa Shiraz but is very easy drinking a well priced bottle that will not disappoint. There is a noticeable lack of peppery spice which to a lot of people will be very appealing also the tannins are low which takes that dryness away. If you prefer lots of fruit this is not for you as the fruit is soft and not that prominent.

James Halliday rated this wine at 84 points I would tend not to agree with his low mark by his standards giving it a solid 8/10 for drinking now and relative value for money. It goes great with food and something heavyish like a steak with a red wine jus and some nice greens or to drink by itself with a nice strong cheese like a big blue or any other strong cheese.

It may be hard to come by now days as I cleaned my local bottle shop out of it the other day of their last 3 bottles due to the current 2008 vintage taking over the shelves. I've got 5 more put down to develop a little further. You may be able to find it in your local Dan Murphys or smaller boutique bottle shops but I have not seen it online lately. You could expect to pay anywhere from $16.99 a bottle right up to $22 but I'd say that there are better bottles out there for $22 but I'd settle to pay $19 without too much fuss. I will be doing a review shortly of the 2008 Vintage which I have tasted and as a sneak preview can say it is just as nice if not better and much fruitier.

This is probably going to be one of my most common sized posts and they will fluctuate based on how much I like the wine and how much attention I am paying when I'm drinking it. I may actually re do a review either when I'm concentrating more or after I have had the bottle in the cellar for a couple of years to show you all out there how my opinion can change or improve. Hope you enjoy my review, this bottle and your wine experiences in general. Good luck and happy drinking.