Very good expression with the entertaining of lychee and other bright floral perfumes. Lacks the tension between freshness and botrytis of the best vintages — 9 days ago
Easy drinking — 5 days ago
Really, an earthy nose here... Cherry, yes... But in a way that I'd characterize as savory black forest cake if it was made of compost instead of sweet chocolate... On the palate, the dominant note I think would be graphite, but with the fuzzy tannins in there, it's not in a precise sense... A dull pencil in need of sharpening? At this point I'd probably need to also describe some green here... Green pepper? Tomato plant? Going back to the nose, I get the aroma now too... Gardening... This wine isn't lightweight... A sausage dish is I think where I'd go as far as pairing as there's some acidity here that could be useful for taming fat. We had this one paired with a flank steak, but really I might go to a fattier cowboy steak next time. The longer I enjoy this wine, the longer the finish seems to get... These tannins are a heck of a drug... With every sip, I actually want to savor more and more... A viscious cycle... — 3 months ago
Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:
1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.
2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.
3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.
1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.
2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.
3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.
Great night with great friends!
— a month ago
So pleasantly surprised by this!! — 10 days ago
Loved the strawberry scent but not a sweet wine. Can taste the smoothness of the Syrah grapes — a month ago
Deep, fruity blackberries well rounded noticeable tanins. Labeled online as a cab sauv blend. Almost shiraz-y to me. So good when young, wonder how the aged ones would be. — 15 days ago
Shuhui Ng
Slightly heavier Pinot noir, ripened blackberries, plums, liquorice, cinnamon and toffee. Does not taste like a typical French or Aust/NZ Pinot. Elegant tannins and acidic. Taste more like a light right bank — 10 days ago