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Jul
30

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Back on-line London time!!

Category: Musings 2 Comments

An apology, a move and lots of wine…..

richmondI most sincerely apologise for the lack of activity recently here on winemusing.com.  All is well! It has just been an incredibly busy, but exciting, last few months. I have now relocated to London but this will not change much about Winemusing at all since I made the decision in 2015 to have a more global approach to the content of the site anyway.

So, there will still be plenty of great Australian wines and winemakers plus plenty from the rest of the world too. And not just European wines either.

(Image: There are two bridges in the world that have captured my heart. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and this bridge across the Thames at Richmond. Both bring a smile to my face.)

Here are some quick answers to questions that I have found cropping up often about my move that I feel compelled to answer: Read More

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May
5

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Saltram No.1 Shiraz 2012

Category: Barossa Valley, bold reds, One for the Cellar Tags: , Leave a Comment

Saltram-no-1This is one Barossan for the cellar and it delivers some of that finesse that you might find in wines that carry a much higher price tag. Here amongst the coconut, chocolate oak offer up a spicy and smooth background to fresh cherry, cinnamon, mint, dark berry fruit. There are some mint and graphite facets on show too as the wine opens up and finishes on a mocha note. While oak makes its presence known, thanks to some larger format barrels it does not dominate or overwhelm.

While the tannins are shapely and will help keep this wine fresh for the years to come, if you cannot wait for it to mellow then you will find it better with food. Venison sausage, or a roast with all the trimmings.

Quickie review «A smooth, spicy, well cared for Barossan that shows much potential in its youth if you cannot wait for it to gain some maturity.»

Country of Origin: Australia  Date: May 2016 Price: AUD 80+ | £ | Drink: 10+ years Needs food: better with food in its youth Source: tasting

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Mar
18

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d’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Category: McLaren Vale Tags: Leave a Comment

darenberg-hightrellis

If you like generous and fruity Cabernet, this is really very hard to beat. The Osborn family are indefatigable when it comes to looking after the more traditional wines in their vast range, just as they are at trying something new. The High Trellis fruit comes from some very old vineyards in the McLaren Vale and as to its pedigree… the wine has won a Jimmy Watson trophy for the 1969 vintage.

As usual d’Arenberg are all about getting the best out of their fruit, old oak is key here, and this vintage was no different. The red currant fruit sits amongst sage, cedar and earth notes and there is a menthol edge here too. The tannins are fine and shapely in the mouth. As the elegantly bodied wine moves along the palate it finishes long, plush and is quite irresistible.

Quickie review «Flavourful, juicy, and definitely good company.»

Country of Origin: Australia  Date: May 2016    Price: AUD 18 | £ 11 | Drink: Now – 5+ years     Needs food: no   Source: tasting

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Feb
17

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La Bohème Act Two Dry Pinot Noir Rosé 2016

Category: Rose, Yarra Valley Tags: , Leave a Comment

labohemerose

When the De Bortoli family launched this wine in 2010, the Rosé Revolution was also born as a celebration of the dry rosés produced in Australia at a time when this type of rosé was barely on wine lovers radar. Now, when visiting a small local bottle shop in Australia, you have a much greater chance of finding a dry rosé, it may even be pale, in amongst the candy coloured, off dry pinks. There is even a good chance Read More

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Jan
17

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V is for Viura – 5 Spanish whites you should try!

Category: Musings Leave a Comment

Luis-canas-rioja-wmOne of the Spanish native white grape trio that contributes to the blend used for Spain’s sparkling wine, Cava, is the grape Macabeo. One of Spain’s popular, and versatile, white grape varieties which has also found a home in Southern France. In the premium wine region of Rioja, a region better known for some of Spain’s best red wines, Macabeo is also known as Viura. It is in this region, with access to fruit from older vines, that the grape can produce some of its finest expressions.

A decade ago, I would have said that you would have almost needed an insider’s knowledge on where to buy a white Rioja as I found they were few and far between outside of Spain. And sometimes when you did find a white Rioja, they lacked interest or worse, they were out of condition. With the availability of investment for Spanish wine producers, the white wines of Rioja are shining bright.  Read More

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Jan
10

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Yalumba Signature 2013

Category: Barossa Valley, elegant reds, One for the Cellar Tags: , Leave a Comment

yalumba-signatureThis 2013 vintage is the 55th Signature and it does not disappoint. Each year Yalumba dedicates this wine to a ‘signatory’ in recognition of their achievements as part of the tight-knit team involved in making the eloquent Yalumba wines. Read More

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