Humis Vineyard Grenache Rosé 2016


The Rosé Revolution continues unabashed. Fans of the pink wine style rejoice ! Here is a classy and flavoursome example from 100% Grenache grown at the Humis Vineyard in Heathcote. 

Vineyard co-owner and vigneron Hugh Jones claims that Grenache loves this region, "maybe too much" with its Mediterranean climate and unique soil composition. "I think it makes a lot of sense (to grow it) in this area," he said with this second vintage awarded an impressive silver at the recent Saint Martin Heathcote Wine Show.
No mean feat given the calibre of the other entrants.
  
The Rosé pours a brilliant salmon pink colour. 

 There are terrific aromas of ripe strawberries, cherry blossom and orange with a dusting of white pepper that transit through to the palate. An ample palate begins with a creaminess that is then supported by strawberry and cherry flavours and a refreshing grapefruit acidity.

It's a round and juicy mouthfeel with whispers of cream and spice. Good fruit weight and balance. 
Mouth quenching moderate acidity and fine crunchy tannins linger long on a refreshing, dry and savoury finish. With a light chill, its effortless drinkability and interest will keep you coming back for more.

 This is great value for such a cracking rosé. Calls out for a plate of sushi and sashimi. 
Highly recommended for the warmer months ahead.

 Source: Sample courtesy of Humis Vineyard. ABV: 13.1%. Closure: Screw Cap. 
Price: $20.00. Rating: 93 Points. Website: https://www.humisvineyard.com



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Hither & Yon Tannat 2013

From Sands Road single vineyard fruit in McLaren Vale, the Tannat vines were established in 2006. The wine saw eighteen months in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel vats.

Deeply dark coloured juice with slight purple hues.
Aromas of black plum, dark cherries, forest earth and a potpourri of flowers and herbs.
Dark chocolate, aniseed, white pepper, a good lick of oak and dark brooding earthy flavours. Mid palate exhibits a sour tannic quality. 
Medium-bodied with a truckload of rustic, earthy tannins that grip and pucker the palate.

The mouthfeel is juicy and rich with a dark liquorice-type smoothness and with the wine's fresh acidity and those dry tannins flowing through to the long, powerful finish, it makes for an intriguing experience.

I wouldn't say Tannat is a delicious wine to drink per se but this edition is very approachable.  
The Leask brothers, Malcolm and Richard have crafted a stylishly-packaged, excellent drink here from start to finish at a price not too hard on the pocket. Cellaring over the next three years will benefit the wine. 

Source: Retail. ABV: 12.8%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 91+ Points.
Website: http://www.hitherandyon.com.au



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Humis Vineyard Carménère Petit Verdot 2013

A one of a kind blend of two lesser known Bordeaux varieties - Carménère and Petit Verdot - from the Humis Vineyard at Corop in the Heathcote Region. The Mediterranean climate of the region enables both varieties to thrive given their own idiosyncrasies.

 Some of the Petit Verdot in the blend, explained co-owner Hugh Jones was made available from Cathy Branson at Mount Burrumboot Estate - who also makes the wine - after the local starling population took a liking to the small berries in his vineyard !    
  
There is an intensely dark colour to this 80/20 blend.  

Funky, herbal, floral, dark fruit-driven nose with a vanilla edge.
Fresh violets, dark chocolate, leather and dark fruit 
flavours of blueberry, blackberry and plum burst forth on the palate. 
A touch of confectionary adds more complexity.

The palate is alive and kicking with fruit, dark chocolate and dried herbs.
Even though it is a dry wine, there is a leather-like silkiness to the palate that glides right through the mouth.

Dry, bold, good weight on a medium-bodied palate. The natural acidity and the tannic grip provide a fresh and vibrant finish. An awesome and compelling blend to while away the cold winter nights. 
Source: Winery. ABV: 13.2%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $25.00. Rating: 91 Points. 
Website: https://www.humisvineyard.com



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Humis Vineyard Carménère 2014


The Humis Vineyard is a relative newcomer to the wine scene with vines planted in 2011 on the eastern slopes of the Mount Camel Range in Victoria's Heathcote Region. The winery's 10 acres of Carménère is according to co-owner Hugh Jones, the largest planting in Victoria of the variety and the 2014 vintage is the first.

Hugh says that the wine is made at nearby Mount Burrumboot Estate by Cathy Branson. "Cathy uses very much traditional means, the reds handpicked, crushed, fermented (air born yeasts only) and pressed," he adds further. "They then spend a good 12-14 months on a mix of 33% new to 66% old French Oak. We then try to give them at least six months in the bottle prior to sale."


The wine pours a magnificent crimson red depth of colour with youthful purple hues.
The nose brings forth aromas of raspberry, sour cherry, vanilla, violet and a graphite edge.        
Complex and intriguing indeed.

The palate gives plenty of character with subtle bitter herbs, goji berries, dark mocha chocolate and florals with some subtle cigar box. It's savoury with a nice hint of bitterness at the tail end.
Mid-weight wine with fine, elegant tannin structure and vibrant acid brightness throughout.


Reminded me somewhat of similarities to Grenache with its earthy red berry characters.
An exciting variety and a superb wine. 

 Source: Winery. ABV: 12.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $25.00. Rating: 91 Points. 
Website: https://www.humisvineyard.com


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Angove Alternatus Carignan 2016

The red variety Carignan suffered from a lowly reputation in 1970's and 1980's southern France owing to over-production and poor quality wines. A charmless cash crop if ever there was one. Responsible for the so-called 'European wine lake' Carignan wines inundated the market during that period. The variety has since slowly regained its mojo thanks to an enthusiastic next generation of vignerons who have attempted to restore respect and produce wines of character and complexity.   

 Even though the largest plantings are in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the variety originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain and now plantings grow in Priorat DOQ, Sardinia, California, Chile, Israel as well as Australia. The excellent Vinodiversity site has more information on the variety here.
This varietal comes from the stalwart Angove Family Winemakers in McLaren Vale. The grapes for the Alternatus Carignan are grown at the family's organic and biodynamically certified vineyard in the Vale's Seaview sub-region.

The Alternatus brand is a Mediterranean-inspired range of wines and the Angove Family has bucked the traditional use of Carignan in blends and released it as a stand alone varietal. More power to them I say.

The colour here is bright crimson purple with magenta hues.  
Lifted stewed aromas of spiced plum, dark cherries, cranberries and licorice. A slight meaty, gamey aspect too. 
Rich cherries, dried herbs and gentle mouth-coating tannins. Soft and smooth in the mouth. 
It's light- to- medium-bodied, well-rounded with distinctly soft flavours of dark berry fruit, black olive and earthy herbal notes. A slight spicy bitterness on the finish. 
It's a must with tapas dishes or as something different to match chargrilled barbecued meats.  
The Alternatus Carignan is not a transcendental wine experience but there's certainly a lot to like here. 

Source: Retail. ABV: 13.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $23.00. Rating: 89 Points. 
Website: https://www.angove.com.au/en

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Spinifex Pinot Noir 2016

From one of the top producers in the Barossa Valley, Spinifex has released a Pinot Noir, a variety that is uncommon in the region.
Despite this, I enjoy Pinots from areas the vines ordinarily don't grow. 
Grown on a single vineyard high in the Barossa Ranges. Wild fermentation, all whole bunches and matured on lees.

 A ruby coloured wine with faint hues.
Cherries, red currants, wood smoke predominantly over forest floor earth and mushroom notes.
Palate mirrors the aromatics faithfully with spicy fine-grained tannins on the finish. 
Varietal sweet and sour red berry flavours are quite restrained but it is still a bright, fresh and youthful mid-weight wine that holds its own throughout the journey. 
Works well. There is something I like about this wine and it is a recommendation if you are into trying a different style of Pinot Noir.  
Source: Gift. ABV: 12.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $ N/A. Rating: 89 Points. 
Website: http://www.spinifexwines.com.au


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Teusner Vin De Plaisir 2013

Here is a wine based upon the French concept of a vin de plaisir - a wine for pleasure - giving the drinker an immediate sense of pleasure and enjoyment.

An eclectic trifecta from Teusner in the Barossa Valley of varieties Montepulciano 50%, Carignan 30% and Mataro 20%. i like Teusner wines, especially The Riebke Shiraz and this blend from winemakers Kym Teusner and Michael Page ticks boxes for the above criteria.

Bitter chocolate, amaro herb, dark sour cherry, plum and ferrous qualities, Some smoke too from its time in oak.

Give it a time to breathe and the palate offers up blackberry, plum, dried herbs, earth and licorice. 
Fleshy and juicy to the taste with a slight metallic edge, which doesn't derail things. Fine tannins to this medium-bodied blend. 
Better than a quaffer. Interesting wine to drink and a good standby at home for those unexpected moments. 


 Source: Retail. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 89 Points. 
Website: https://www.teusner.com.au



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