2010 Rutherglen Estates Renaissance Zinfandel

The Rutherglen Estates' Renaissance range is made from premium hand selected grapes that are crafted into the winery's premium selection of wines.
    
Attractive deep russet red in the glass.

Plenty of fresh smelling spicy cherry, plum fruit flavours, pine nuts and chocolate aromas.

Blackberry and brambly fruit sweetness with smooth leather and mocha, the American oak bringing a toasty cedar note. 
The balance between the sweetness of the fruit and the savoury edginess is the key here to this flavoursome wine.
Grippy tannins and a juicy acidity to the finish

Medium-bodied but with loads of richness, complexity and a strength that is not over the top.

A quality Zin that is at the peak of its form. Excellent.  

Source: Winery. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $35.00. Rating: 92 Points. 
Website: https://www.rutherglenestates.com.au

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2012 Sandhurst Ridge Wines Nebbiolo

Located at Marong in the Bendigo Wine Region, the boutique, family-operated Sandhurst Ridge has produced wines since the mid-1990's with its first Nebbiolo released in 2008. This is a terrific local example of Nebbiolo and like with many Italian variety wines is enjoyed better with food. It would pair perfectly with a rack of lamb.

Soft tawny colours with brownish tinges.

Dark chocolate, crushed rose petal, notes of tarry earthiness. An overlay of discrete oaky smoke too on the aromatics.

Soft and shy entry that cranks up into a brooding, seductively dry, savoury wine of intense varietal flavours and mouthfeel.
The mid-weight palate is fresh and balanced and offers up vibrant black cherry, cranberry and tar. Notes of wild mushroom and black olive make the wine really interesting. 
The palate is all about the structure, velvety texture, crisp acid and a core of lingering subtle savoury tannins. A lot to like here.  

Source: Winery. ABV: 13.3%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $28.00. Rating: 91 Points. 
Website: http://www.sandhurstridge.com.au

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2015 Cassegrain Edition Noir Sangiovese

Based in Hastings River near Port Macquarie on the northern New South Wales coast, Cassegrain sources its Sangiovese grapes from the state's Central Ranges.
Its Edition Noir range of wines are produced from small parcels of high quality fruit allowing winemakers John and Alex Cassegrain to make limited quantities wines of distinction. Wine matured in French and Hungarian oak. 

Dark ruby colour in the glass.

Dark cherries, plums, goji berry, metal shavings and vanilla smoke. More lifted fruit-driven aromas than savoury ones.

Smooth mid-weight wine of earthy tomatoes, cherry and raspberry. Delivers a sturdy palate of red fruits, lively acidity and chewy tannins. Soft, lean, rustic and a bit edgy. Cries out for food, not something you'd chug back by itself.  

It is lovely drinking Sangiovese but a little too warm through the mid-palate and towards the tail end, which affected the overall rating.  

Source: Retail. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $28.00. Rating: 89 Points. 
Website: https://www.cassegrainwines.com.au

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