Apologies.. apologies

Just writing my apologies for the lack of posting over the last few weeks... I have been busy moving out of Bridgetown, doing a one week gig in Margaret River, moving back to Perth and sorting out all sorts of bits and pieces here back home.. Managed to do an awesome round of tastings (and a not-so-awesome stretch of spending!) though and will put some up soon.

In the meantime you can read some of my impressions of Brown Hill, Xanadu, Cape Mentelle and Cullen here: http://www.winestar.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20255

Cheers!

Blue Poles Vineyard

I was delighted to purchase and receive the first 3 pack offering from Blue Poles Vineyard in their efforts to make their wines more accessible to the average punter who may have not heard of or tried Blue Poles wines before.. They are from Margaret River in WA and produce Tempranillo, Viognier and a Merlot/Cabernet blend.



2005 Blue Poles Merlot/Cab Franc

Smells of dark berry, foresty spice and lead pencil. Same again in the mouth but with a soft mid palate followed by moderate and spicy tannins to close. A tidy little wine.

90pts

2006 Blue Poles “Allouran”

Merlot/Cab Franc blend. Interesting nose, not of fruit but rather coal, earth/dust, pencils and minerals. The wine changed a bit over 24 hours, showing more red fruit, some leaf characters and some bony tannin lending structure to the wine. Medium bodied and well structured with some grip and length on the finish.

91pts

2007 Blue Poles Vineyard “Hopping Stone” Tempranillo

A lovely nose of sweet red fruit, earth and a bit of spicy pepper. Smooth and slick delivery up front of red cherry and plum followed by some nice, grainy mid palate tannins which carry through to a savoury and slightly spicy finish. Fresh, vibrant and balanced – a really nice wine to drink.

93pts

2007 Veronique Grenache Shiraz Mataro

Barossa Valley, South Australia; A$18

Fragrant plum and pepper on the nose, silky smooth on the palate showing lovely ripe plum, juicy dark berries, cinnamon spice and a bit of light milk chocolatey oak. Delicious drinking, top value.

92pts

2006 Austins Geelong Pinot Noir

Geelong, Victoria; A$25

Full of fresh black cherries and a bit of sour plum, cedary oak and a slight tinge of ferrous
Spice. Medium to full bodied for a pinot, fresh and rich with quite taut acids finishing the wine.

91pts

2005 Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz

McLaren Vale/Langhorne Creek, South Australia; A$35

Rich dark red berry and plum fruit, strawberry jam, spicy prune, cinnamon and creamy vanilla oak. Rich, thick, milky texture and a slightly hot finish. Better served at around 15-16C as the alcohol does not poke out so much.

91pts

2006 Picardy Pinof Noir

Pemberton, Western Australia; A$40

A nice pinot which shows both fresh and developed characters. hazy cherry fruit amongst peaty, smokey surroundings finished with cedary spice and some mulchy stink. A much "browner" release than the others if that makes any sense...rustic perhaps

91pts

2004 Villa Terlina Barbera D'Asti Gradale

Italy, (Vintage Cellars Imports); A$34


Smells sweet with a tarry dark fruit character about it – nice and different. Medium bodied with a deep core of black and red plummy fruit and finishing with slightly dusty, ripe tannins. Great with food, Great without.

93pts