Alan Kerr’s Vintage’s June 7th Release – Tasting Notes

June 6th, 2014 |

Australia is the principal feature of the June 7th release. I must confess to not buying a lot from down under recently, but there are a couple of tasty treats to be found.

675223 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN’S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Clare Valley, South Australia $19.95

A little tight at first, but eventually it releases some dark fruit, cassis and mocha aromas, palate is tight too, but as it opens it leans towards being rather one dimensional focusing on currant and dark fruit. Find this wine

084996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 Coonawarra, South Australia $27.95

Back in the days before the LCBO slapped their ridiculously high “Provincial Liquor fee” tariff on wines brought across the border, I used to buy this wine at Century Liquor in Rochester New York for about six bucks a bottle and I would bring back a case at a time paying a pittance on duties at the border. That was a while ago and the price has obviously increased since then, in fact it is now about $35.00 south of the border, making the asking price in the LCBO a great deal. It is so focused, the solid core of blackcurrant, polished leather, mint, eucalyptus and freshly ground black pepper is amazing. A big lift on the palate, laden with blackcurrant, cedar, chalky tannins, but well balanced, clean acidity and a long fruit focused finish. Find this wine

043224 MITOLO JESTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 McLaren Vale, South Australia $22.95

Quite stellar aromas of wet earth, chalk, leather, mineral and layers of dried dark fruits, lovely mix of currant and dark cherry on the palate, mixing nicely with milk chocolate, black raspberry to a finish with good length and structure. Find this wine

327395 DOMAINE TOURNON MATHILDA SHIRAZ 2011 Victoria $19.95

Black toffee, cedar, dried mushroom, tomato, bay leaf and red fruit roll up, a little chunky on the palate, lots of red fruit and a candy like sweetness on the finish. Another 94 point wine from Mr. P, so this will sell quickly. Find this wine

367425 HASELGROVE FIRST CUT SHIRAZ 2010 McLaren Vale, South Australia $18.95

Dusty and earthy, with layers of sweet dark fruit, vanilla, its palate has a sweet syrupy texture, there is plenty of acidity to balance, but it remains little jammy on the finish. Find this wine

236257 GRANT BURGE THE HOLY TRINITY GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2010 Barossa, South Australia $29.95

Tree bark, forest floor, pure velvety black fruit lead to a palate that is viscous, has tingly red currant flavours bound with caramel, Asian spice and red licorice. Find this wine

290874 DOMAINE TERLATO & CHAPOUTIER LIEU DIT MALAKOFF SHIRAZ 2011 Pyrenees, Victoria $55.95

Funky and full of such oddities as damp soil, coconut shell, wet fur, shitake mushroom, rosemary, thyme, barnyard straw and mocha and a little dark fruit. Structurally, the palate is lean and surprisingly light, showing cherry and plum that disappears quickly on the finish. Robert P bestowed 95 points to this wine, maybe I am missing something, but I tasted twice with similar notes. Find this wine

596031 MITOLO G.A.M. SHIRAZ 2010 McLaren Vale, South Australia $39.95

Inky and highly extracted, brimming with black olive, dried blackcurrant, blackberry and floral aromas, thick and chewy palate, sweet caramel and toffee, dark fruit, good acidity and mellow tannins. Find this wine

371468 TRUST SHIRAZ 2010 Victoria $25.95

Pleasing, dark chocolate, thyme, coffee grounds, black raspberries and molasses, nice clean round palate, well balanced, tasty red fruit and minimal tannins. Find this wine

374348 THE WINNER’S TANK SHIRAZ 2012 Langhorne Creek, South Australia $17.95

Also dark and highly extracted, showing notes of shoe leather, wet forest, pink peppercorn and blueberry, full palate, nicely balanced, layers of dark fruit, sweet licorice and Middle Eastern spice. Find this wine

180430 MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ 2009 McLaren Vale, South Australia 375 mL $11.95

Dark and dense, heaps of black fruit, with black leather, mud and mineral, mix of dark and red fruit on the palate, tannins are integrating and acids are lively. It is nice to see decent quality in a half bottle at a half decent price. Find this wine

THE REST OF THE PACK

ONTARIO

117960 CREEKSIDE LAURA’S RED 2010 Niagara Peninsula $19.95

This was not presented for the tasting, but as the winery is minutes from my home, I pop in frequently to taste. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Shiraz, Being from a hot vintage, the wine has power and boasts aromas of blackcurrant, mineral, black raspberry and cocoa. It has some tannin, but the fruit shows well, especially after decanting. Find this wine

USA

719211 CLINE ANCIENT VINES ZINFANDEL 2012 Contra Costa County, Central Coast $20.95

Plush and vibrant, loaded with sweet aromas of spice, oak, saddle leather, plum and white pepper, nice chewy palate, zingy, showing plum and damson, a touch of blueberry and smoke. Find this wine

ARGENTINA

017111 FINCA FLICHMAN EXPRESIONES RESERVE SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 Mendoza $15.95

This blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet starts out murky and musty at first, wet leaves and forest floor aromas emerge as do black berry, cherry candy and mocha, fleshy fruit on the palate, lots of hard tannic astringency on the finish. Find this wine

186668 TRAPICHE FINCAS LAS PALMAS MALBEC 2011 Uco Valley, Mendoza $16.95

Dusty, with notes of cedar, smoked meat, black fruit and black licorice, black raspberry and blueberry rule the palate, but the acids are strong and sour, tannins are dusty. Find this wine

PORTUGAL

147942 QUINTA DO RONCÃO RESERVA 2011 Douro $15.95

Here is an interesting little nose featuring pig poo, Thai basil, cherry pie and smoke. Odd I agree, but cherry, plum and blackcurrant flavours rule the palate, there are harsh tannins, but time in the glass makes this a tasty little wine. Find this wine

273748 BORSAO TRES PICOS GARNACHA 2011 Campo de Borja $19.95

Solid, ripe, full of tar, red fruit, smoky bacon and lavender, chunky and fat on the palate, creamy blackcurrant, rich texture and black raspberry appears on the slightly sweet finish. Find this wine

329086 BRECA OLD VINES GARNACHA 2010 Calatayud $19.95

Heady, full of cassis, black raspberry, mineral and sweet oak, highly extracted and powerful on the palate, full of chunky sweet fruit, slate/stone, great acidity and a finish that carries clout. Find this wine

Cheers,