Odds and ends from some recent tastings. Clearing the decks….  

Lazy Ballerina Shiraz 2008 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Chaellenging wine this and very clearly vintage affected, as it’s forward and hard like quite a few 08 McLaren Vale reds. Caramel oak, floor varnish, mothballs and cardboard. All secondary. Ungenerous and roasted red fruit palate. Hard going. 14.8/82

Coriole Redstone Shiraz 2008 (Mclaren Vale, SA)
Similar story here. Volatile red fruit nose smells baked and warm. Palate is similarly sweet and dry with hot fruit flavours and gritty tannins. Sweet and sour. Simple and warm. 15/83

Golding Wines Francis John Pinot Noir 2006 (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Aside from Stephen George’s Ashton Hills, I can’t say I’m a massive fan of Adelaide Hills Pinot. They’re typically too ripe, too dry red-ish and ultimately lacking in delicacy. This is, sadly, no exception, with a warm redcurrant, rare roast beef and eucalypt nose, edged with sap and menthol. A little bit of cooked veges in there too. Palate is drying, smoky and secondary with sweet oak as the only generous part. Horsey edges. Needs more generosity to be properly enjoyable. 15.8/86

Singlefile Run Free La vie en Rosé 2010 (Great Southern, WA)
I actually quite like rosé. Good dry rosé that is. This, sadly, isn’t that. It’s an excellent colour though, with a brightly glowing ruby red hue that looks looks superb in the glass. Though it might also be a glass of vodka cranberry. The wine itself is soft and sweet with intrusive acidity and little depth beyond residual sugar. Vodka cranberry would be a more satisfying drink methinks. 14/80