Wine Review 2010

Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
4676 Clovelly Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon/ 2007 7 8 This comes from the small triangular vineyard high on the hill
Shiraz, Special Cuvée, Founders’ Choice above Devon Vale. Once surrounded by gum trees their resin
can still be found as an interest in the mature palate.
4677 Chenin Blanc, Kloof-en-Berg, 2008 10 10 Open and drink before the freshness goes.
Western Cape Province, South Africa
4678 Pinotage Rosé, Kloof-en-Berg, 2008 10 10 Only good when young, so open up any remaining
Western Cape Province, South Africa bottles soon.
4679 Ruby Cabernet, Kloof-en-Berg, 2008 10 10 Big palate of fruit, with acidity rather than tannin, it is perfectly
Western Cape Province, South Africa ready.
4680 Shiraz, Kloof-en-Berg, 2008 9 9 Saddle leather, chocolate and licorice. Delicious at the
Western Cape Province, South Africa moment, it will last another year.
4681 Sauvignon Blanc, Mount Vernon, 2008 9 10 A real bargain for everyday, but don’t keep it too long.
New Zealand
4682 Semillon/Chardonnay 2008 10 10 Well balanced as a young wine, but it loses freshness quickly
“On the Billabong”, Riverina, Australia and becomes dull, so drink up.
4683 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 9 9 A big spongy, fruit laden, soft wine. Because it lacks tannin,
“On the Billabong”, Riverina, Australia it has no longevity.
4684 Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay 2008 7 8 This North Island white has grace, charm and balance.
It will develop even more interest in a medium time frame.
4685 Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay 2008 8 9 Not as distinguished as the same vareity from Marlborough,
but even so, this has to be a wine to count among the best of
its type.
4686 Tua Tua Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 8 8 Utter delight. Full of green fruit and fragrant floral notes.
Marlborough Fine acidity, good mouth-feel and long finish.
4687 Tua Tua Bay Gewürztraminer, Gisborne 2008 8 8 Mangoes and orange blossoms. Lies fat on the palate.
Opulent entry, but it fades rapidly.
4688 Tua Tua Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2008 7 7 Deliciously fresh and fruity. Raspberries and white cherries.
Balanced, needs time.
AUSTRALIA
Over the years of drought, all of the wines from South Australia have become deeper, fuller bodied, intense and tangibly powerful, so
expect all the wines to show those characteristics.
4689 Chardonnay, McLaren Vale 2008 8 9 A massive white wine, full of aroma and flavours,
but beautfiuuly balanced. Ready.
4690 Viognier, McLaren Vale 2008 8 8 Perhaps this is as rich as the grape can be. Delectable notes.
Somewhat oily texture. Long in the mouth. A real joy.
4691 Tempranillo, McLaren Vale 2006 7 8 Rich and very fine. Perfectly ripe now.
4692 Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale 2005 7 7 So big that it still needs more time for the tannin to catch the
maturing fruit. Very full-bodied.
4693 Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2006 8 8 Typically offers a bouquet of soap, vanilla, chocolate and
sweaty saddle leather.
4694 Fat ’n Skinny, “Picker’s Choice”, 2006 10 10 The name hasn’t got it quite right: this is closer to fat than
McLaren Vale skinny, a function of the drought and strict crop reduction, to
lessen the crop during the water shortage.
Wine Review 2010