Wine Review 2010

Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
NEW SOUTH WALES
The three man team of John Duval, famous for the epic “Grange” - Australia’s most famous wine - David Fatches, the Hunter Valley
entrepreneur and Martin Krajewski, owner of Château de Sours, have produced a small set of Australian wines of the highest possible
quality. None are easy on the pocket, but all provide huge quality.
4695 Bylines Chardonnay, Hunter Valley 2007 8 8 Gloriously ripe and full. An epic production.
4696 Bylines Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2005 7 7 Big tough wine, as much of an Australian classic as
“The Thornbirds”.
4697 Leylines Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2006 8 8 Tannic, but backed up with a huge tub full of fruit. All ripe and
juicy with a classic black pepper spiciness.
4698 Songlines Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2005 6 7 Clearly one of the finest Australian wines. Its price reflects its
quality and long term potential.
HUNTER VALLEY
Our original close partner from down-under. Opimian has offered Australian wines before, but had never established an annual offer
from the same vineyard. This arrangement has helped Opimian to establish other links in far away Australian regions.
4699 Botrytis Semillon, Hunter Valley 2008 7 8 Wonderful dessert wine, it can only get even better.
4700 Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 8 8 Semillon, definitely the most successful variety grown in
Hunter Valley/Adelaide Hills the Hunter. This is blended in a perfect match.
4701 Viognier, Hunter Valley 2008 7 8 Fat and creamy. A beautiful dry wine with plenty of body.
4702 Verdelho, Central Ranges 2008 8 8 Austere acidity, but no lack of aroma or flavour. Ready now.
4703 Chardonnay, Hunter Valley 2008 8 8 Delicious. Everything you expect from a good wine.
4704 Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges 2007 7 7 Although it is no longer tough, there is still a weight of grainy
tannin to soften down. Drink between 2011 and 2014.
4705 White Trio 2008 7 8 Big and weighty. Delicious marriage of three grapes.
4706 Rock Pile Chardonnay, Hunter Valley 2007 7 7 Concentrated. Powerful. Excellent balance. Ready.
4707 Red Trio, Hunter Valley 2007 7 7 Massed range of complex easy to enjoy fruit. Good supporting
tannin provides a firm structure.
4708 Old Vines Shiraz, Hunter Valley 2007 6 7 Warm and ripe flavours of dried fruit, dates, figs and prunes
with a good wedge of leather and chocolate.
4709 Cold-Soaked Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 7 8 Powerful wine. One of the most harmoniously complete
Hunter Valley Cabs we have tasted this year.
4710 “Big Bully”, Members Reserve 2006 5 6 This is the landmark red from Briar Ridge, although it is
Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon produced from grapes grown on Briar Ridge’s other vineyard.
Very lovely red, good length, with a powerful finish.
ADELAIDE HILLS
Year by year, Geoff becomes the epitome of the great Australian wine dream. His vineyards are now fully mature, planted with the finest
root and scion stock from his own vine nurseries. Fine winemaking harnessed to great fruit, it is no surprise that Geoff is weighed down
with recent prizes.
4711 K1 by Geoff Hardy, Chardonnay,
Adelaide Hills
2007 6 8 Lime, lemon, apple and oriental pears. Memorable and ready.
4712 K1 by Geoff Hardy, Shiraz, Adelaide Hills 2007 6 6 A big, rich, strongly flavoured and highly perfumed red. A great
success. Drink late 2010 – 2013.
4713 K1 by Geoff Hardy, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 7 7 All of the components are falling nicely into place. Enjoy
Adelaide Hills this year and onwards.
4714 K1 by Geoff Hardy, Merlot, Adelaide Hills 2006 7 8 Just what one would expect from Merlot grown in this warm
weather region. Spicy, very ripe, red berry flavours; persistent
flavour and finely grained tannins through the long finish.
4715 K1 by Geoff Hardy, Shiraz Viognier, 2006 8 9 Perfect now. It seems strange to ally the white Viognier with
Adelaide Australia’s winning Shiraz, but the blend works perfectly and
the result is easy, refined and approachable. Drink between
2010 and 2012.
Wine Review 2010