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



No comments:

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



No comments:

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


No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)