2015 Ferngrove Frankland River Limited Release Malbec Rosé

A wine of real interest given that not many rosés are produced here exclusively from Malbec. Ferngrove Estate in Western Australia's Frankland River region specialises in the variety, which it has grown since the winery was established in 1998.

A spectacular looking wine owing to the grape's violet colour, it shows neon light purple to crimson hues in the glass. I regret not having a photo.

Sweetly perfumed cranberry, raspberry and strawberry aromatics followed by some subtle spice and musk.
Deceptive wine as it appears and smells on the sweet spectrum side of things yet is dry to mid-dry once tasted.
There is smidge of candied fruit drop to add to the berry and Nashi pear flavours, which is offset by the acidity and chalky qualities. 
Approachable rosé with a velvety mouthfeel, good weight through the mid-palate and a tangy and refreshing aftertaste to finish. Good.  
Source: Retail. ABV: 13.7%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $15.00. Rating: 89 Points. 




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N V Dal Zotto MIO King Valley Prosecco

An entry level Prosecco of sorts from Dal Zotto and a little brother to the winery's more illustrious Pucino brand.

 Pale quartz colour with a green tinge. Smells of green apple, talc, a whiff of honey and fresh King Valley air.

Perfumed and dry mineral palate that is light with tart green apple, pear and a slight citrus twang. Appealing soft mouthfeel and fizzy, medium beads create a lifted finish. 

 Fun, plenty of fizz and refreshing. Insane value, delicious drinking and well worth hunting down.

 Source: Gift. ABV: 10.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $14.00. Rating: 90 Points. 
Website: http://www.dalzotto.com.au/wordpress/


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2008 Hickinbotham Chardonnay with Aligoté


A point of difference here with the vast majority of Aussie Chards. At present, Hickinbotham of Dromana is the only grower in Oz of the much-maligned Southern Burgundian white grape variety Aligoté, which the winery has championed since the late 1980s. Around fifteen percent oomphs the blend up with body and the variety's hallmark dry natural acid.

 DNA profiling has established Aligoté to have a parentage of Pinot Noir and that ancient ever-fecund mother grape, Gouais Blanc. Behind Chardonnay, it ranks second in terms of hectares planted in Burgundy and is a variety grown extensively in the ex-Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe. As a variety tolerating cooler growing conditions, it's difficult to understand why there isn't more of the stuff here in regions such as the Hilltops or the Granite Belt.


 Light- to mid-gold colours from the glass. There are peach, quince, struck match, citrus and vanilla aromas. 
Concentrated fruit flavours of peach, melon and tart apple on the palate with buttery, nutty nuances from the French oak. The blend has a dry, crisp texture, dusty tannins and a distinctive flinty acid backbone driving through the palate to a long, creamy finish. Medium-bodied with a good balance of fruit and acidity. 

From Hickinbotham's Reserve wines range, this is a fascinating take on the standard Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay, in fact any Chardonnay actually. Yes, I'd enjoy a glass or two more of this thank you.  

 Source: Sample. ABV: 13.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $68.00. Rating: 92 Points. 


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