This a sound rosé from the Earthworks label and South Australia.  It’s about $12. The wine has aromas of strawberries, a medium body and a crisp finish.  The alcohol is 12.0.  The wine is ready to drink now.  Review Rating: Good (★★★, 86 points). Website: NA. Source: Sample. Tasted: September 2024. The post Earthworks Rosé 2023: A Review appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

I asked winemaker Adrian Utter which of his various wines best reflected what he is trying to achieve.  The recommendation was this wine.  His judgment is good.  From micro estate Utter near the cool Cathedral Ranges, this is a Burgundian style of pinot noir.  More specifically, the wine is comparable in style to a youthful […] The post Utter Pinot Noir 2022 appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

This is a delicious and supple Côtes du Rhône from Stephane Ogier and the 2022 vintage. Labelled as “Le Temps est Venu”, the wine has aromas of savoury red fruits and spice. The palate is full bodied, fleshy and has a lovely balance. Ready to drink now, this is a top quality expression of Côtes […] The post Top Quality 2022 Côtes du Rhône by Stephane Ogier appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

This is a classically styled medium bodied expression of Listrac-Médoc from Château Ducluzeau.  Listrac-Médoc can be a source of good “QPR” (quality to price ratio) left bank Bordeaux. There are few misses based on my observations, a little like the underrated wines of Graves.  This wine from the top 2015 Bordeaux vintage has aromas of […] The post Château Ducluzeau’s 2015 Listrac-Médoc Review appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

This review continues a theme of wines less commonly seen in Australia. The wine is from Stockman’s Ridge Wines and is a cabernet franc from the cool climate Orange region.  From the 2022 vintage, it is in the style of St Emilion, rather than the crisp and herbal Loire Valley.  In the glass, the wine […] The post Stockman’s Ridge Cabernet Franc Review 2022 appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

There aren’t many producers of gamay in Australia.  Most are higher quality expressions, compared with the considerable variation in Beaujolais.  This gamay, labelled as “gamay noir”, is from top Australian producer De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley. It’s a good example of the style. The 2023 vintage is a purple in colour with aromas of […] The post De Bortoli Gamay Phi 2023: A Yarra Valley Gem appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

From Parish Vineyards in Sorell in southern Tasmania, is this expression of cool climate riesling. It has nuanced aromas of lime, apple, sherbet and talc. The palate is dry, medium bodied and its high acidity frames flavours of green apples and lime. The alcohol is 12.0. This is an excellent riesling that is approachable now […] The post Discover Parish Vineyards’ Cool Climate Riesling appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

From Parish Vineyards in Forcett in southern Tasmania, this is a crisp sauvignon blanc from the 2024 vintage. It has a clean aroma reminding principally of freshly cut grass. The palate is dry and its high acidity leaves a crisp impression. This is lovely drinking. It’s close in style to a high quality expression of […] The post 2024 Parish Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Review appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

The Ironstone Pressings from d’Arenberg is a savoury and rich wine. It’s a blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre from McLaren Vale in South Australia. The 2019 vintage has aromas of sweet dark cherries and iodine. The palate has a full body, generous fruit and notes of plum skins, garrigue and a savoury, tannic edge. […] The post 2019 Ironstone Pressings Wine Review: McLaren Vale appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more

It is stubbornly cold at the time of writing in Melbourne in early November. Opening a rosé is more wishful than practical, but we can pretend. This wine is from the “AIX” label and the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence in France. It is a Provence rosé in the classic dry style and a good find. […] The post AIX Rosé Review 2022: Provence appeared first on Grape Observer Wine Review ..read more