June Random Wine Roundup

Scorpo Pinot Gris 2009 (Mornington Peninsula, Vic)
$30, Cork, 13.5%
Source: Retail
http://scorpowines.com.au/

Long heralded as Australia’s finest Pinot Gris, the Scorpo wines are always interesting. What I found perplexing with this one however is the closure – a Pinot Gris with a cork? I’d argue that the choice of tree bark has done this little favour, as this particular bottle really seemed to lack the requisite freshness and finished alot warmer than the 13.5% alcohol stated on the label. Still, it is typically a good Pinot Gris so I’ll reserve my judgement until I try a second bottle.

Would never be questioned if the bottle had been sealed with a screwcap however…

Wilson Vineyard DJW Riesling 2009 (Clare Valley, SA)
$23, Screwcap, 12.5%
Source: Retail
http://www.wilsonvineyard.com.au/

The Clare Valley had a very mixed time of it in 2009 – if the Rieslings are anything to judge by – with wines as classic as the 09 Grossets, right through to these Wilson Rizzas, which have been notably forward and light. This follows the same trend shown by the 09 Polish Hill Riesling tasted earlier in the year (scroll down to find it) with a fair whack of toasty secondary characters, before shutting up shop halfway through the back end. Needs more bottle age to show it’s best, but still prematurely aged. 16.5/88

Charles Melton Rose of Virginia 2010 (Barossa Valley, SA)
$23, Screwcap, 13%
Source:Retail
www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au

Released earlier this year and absolutely showing it’s infancy, this was a typical riot of candied red fruits in the classic RoV fashion, yet just a little tight and dry at the moment. Still, everything is in it’s right place, making for a lovely drink now and an even more lovely drink in 2-3 months time. 17/90+

Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2008 (Barossa Valley, SA)
$40, Cork, 14.5%
Source: Sample
http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/

Kym Teusner called 2008 ‘a punters vintage’ with the belief that the wines – in general – are all beautifully smooth and forward, but just a bit lacking in structure.

This wine illustrates that perfectly – it looks positively purple in the glass, with a nose that is all sweet purple fruit and chocolatey oak, almost like a berry milkshake. Behind this it’s all berries with very sweet oak and very sweet fruit. Tails off to a light finish and some drying oak tannins.

Lot’s of simple juicy drinking pleasure here and no shortage of impact, but ultimately too sweet for really high marks. 16.8/88

Grant Burge Holy Trinity GSM 2005 (Barossa, SA)
$35, Cork, 14.5%
Source: Sample
http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/

Somewhat of an antithesis to the super-fresh Filsell, this is already turning quite secondary and meat.

Turning orange at the rim, the nose shows meaty red fruit. Volatile red fruit and red dirt. It’s a heavy, ferrous nose that smells already a fraction dried out and grizzled. Palate too is quite leathery and secondary with licorice edges. Palate finishes a tad dried out, with chocolatey oak sitting heavily through the tail.

It’s just a smidgen overoaked really, with the fruit now developing quickly and leaving behind an oaky shell. Drinkable wine but not all that enjoyable. 16/87