GrapeScott

Opened with very tempting aromas: juicy dark cherries, a touch of dried meat, vanilla, spice and hints of caramel. Very young indeed. The palate showed some rawness (not surprising for a one year old wine), with cherries, raspberries, minerals, musk and a dry finish. A touch of acid crept in at the end of the palate; though time in the glass knocked the edge off that, and some savoury notes appeared. My abiding memory is of a very good wine, quite tight, that needs a couple of years or a very good decant. A bargain when retailing in the mid $20s.

Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $25
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2011-2014
Source : Wine Emporium
Website : Kooyong

Made by Geraldine McFaul, who has since left Stonier I believe. Cherry red. A cherry nose, with a touch of orange citrus, spices and lightly stewed strawberries, that later evolved into plums, musk and woodier spices. The palate is delicious and delicate, cherries, strawberries and clean earth, good length and with flavours that linger in the mouth. Mmmmm. Sour fruits and a touch of minerals on the finish. Positively irresistible after a couple of hours.

Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : Jun07
Alcohol : 13.0%
Price : $25
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010-2014
Source : Cellar
Website : Stonier

Another one straight off the truck. Fruit comes from Merricks Grove vineyard. Clone is MV6. Planted in 1996. The wine was tasted over two nights because it was locked up tight on the first, despite a four hour decant. You have been warned!

A soft red in colour, with a delicate nose, softly pressed cranberries and cherries, lovely florals reminiscent of the summer garden, a touch of musk and spice. The palate is gorgeous, a lightness with intensity, cherry fruits with a touch of undergrowth and dry spices. Savoury and exquisitely balanced. Tremendous length. Give it a big decant if you want to drink it now, or leave a couple of years.

Rated : 94 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $55
Closure : Diam and Wax
Drink : 2011 – 2018
Source : Cellar Door
Website : William Downie

Not sure where this bottle came from, as I have no record of purchasing it. It is just one of those mysteries of the cellar that one comes to accept. Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. This was a very good win, though not my best, which was a bottle of ‘94 Penfolds Grange. Yes, I would have been a crap accountant. A gorgeous nose: beetroot earthiness and sweet cherry fruitiness. The palate is fruity but focused, still quite tight, some spices and tang, and only a touch of bitterness. Beautiful weight and a slightly sappy texture. Tip-top stuff.

Tasted : Apr09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $?
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009-2014
Source : Cellar
Website : Eldridge Estate