Skipworth 2009 Shiraz

Skipworth Shiraz highly rated by Wayne, see what he has to say.

Pepper Tree 14 Shores Merlot 2010

Pepper Tree
14 Shores Merlot 2010

Review by ANDREW GRAHAM Australian Wine Review
[ http://www.ozwinereview.com/2013/10/pepper-tree-14-shores-merlot-2010.html ]

Pepper Tree '14 Shores' Reserve Merlot 2010 (Wrattonbully, SA)
14.5%, Screwcap, $42
Source: Sample
www.peppertreewines.com.au

Eucalypt, mint, tannins, acidity and alcohol.

In other words, this is another Australian Merlot that doesn't quite nail the fruit ripeness and tannin balance. Still, it's impressively defined on nose and palate, with the no shortage of power through the dry, fresh finish. I'm perhaps being a bit harsh, as this does have some fruit in there, yet I didn't see much love here. Will be long-lived though.

Drink: 2013-2023+
Score: 16/20, 87/100
Would I buy it? No.

HILLBILLÉ ESTATE MERLOT 2011

HILLBILLÉ ESTATE MERLOT  2011

Greets with perfumes of freshly sliced satsuma plum, violets and small red berries, dissolving to reveal succulent minerals, spice and dark fleshy fruits.

Ray Jordan 2014:  89pts - A rather impressive merlot from the Blackwood Valley region of WA.
Spicy leafy notes on the nose with a deft touch of cedar. The palate is medium weight with red berry and light fruit texture. It's a nice medium-weight merlot ideal for drinking over the next few years.

Has a little character.

Wayne says:

Well I will see what this tastes like... maybe some one could send me a bottle??

Briarose Estate Merlot Resrve

What... no website!! Guys get with it!!









Ray Jordan says in The West Australian Wine Guide:

Such a poised and beautiful merlot but one that has some firepower on the palate that builds relentlessly to a long finish.

Iy gets interesting as ray says: Chalky tannins and fine grained oak and lovely precise fruit flavours... very much in the red berry spectrum with light cedary oak ceating a perfect combination. and apparently "an elegant finish."

I haven't ried this one yet... but will certainly be on the look out for it next visit home to Margaret River.

Chestnut Grove Reserve Merlot 2009

From the wine makers notes:


The Chestnut Grove vineyard is ideally suited to grow Merlot with temperate ripening conditions, cool nights and gravelly loam soils.  For over 20 years, the Merlot vines have produced wines with concentration, finesse and balance.
 
The Reserve selection is blended from the best French oak barrels after 18 months maturation.  

Dark plums, fruit cake spice, blackberries and subtle earthy notes provide lifted primary fruits and complexity.  The palate is dense and rich with fine savoury tannins providing length and structure.

This wine is beautifully balanced but will improve with 8-10 years bottle age.

Should set you back $40 - $50 a bottle.. so better be good!!

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