Dunes & Greene Sparkling and Yalumba Reds

06-Jul-2018

Although established in 1849, Yalumba is the quintessential modern Australian wine producer. It makes a diverse and broad range of white and red wines that sit in one of many tiers which are named after their philosophical aspirations or vineyard sources. The wines encompass the elegant, accessible and contemporary to the traditional and ageworthy. Yalumba is admirably in tune with the modern market, and meets its requirements as few other producers do. While ‘Yalumba’ is the primary brand, there are a number of associated labels. Here, I review a ‘Dunes & Greene’ sparkling wine and a selection of Yalumba reds. www.dunesandgreene.com www.yalumba.com

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Dunes & Greene South Australia Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV
Sparkling Wine from Australia - South Australia
Review Date : 07-Jul-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light golden-yellow colour with a hint of blush and some depth, paler on the rim, the bubbles moderately fine but with good vigour. The nose is elegant in proportion with fresh aromas of white and yellow stonefruits unfolding red berry and floral hints with a suggestion of yeast. Apple notes emerge in the glass. This is soft and clean. Off-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is gently sweet and rich with soft flavours of white and yellow stonefruits with apple elements and hints of red fruits. The mouthfeel is rounded but enlivened and refreshed by creamy effervescence and fresh acidity. The flavours are up-front and carry to a soft finish. This is a soft and smooth, gently sweet and rich off-dry sparkling wine with stonefruit and apple flavours with a creamy mouthfeel. Serve as an anytime sparkling over the next 18 months to 2 years. Fruit from South Australia, a blend of 59% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and 5% ‘Blanc de Noir’, the base wine undergoing MLF and aged on lees, with secondary fermentation as required. 12.0% alc. Lot L8073 0821 L1. Winemaker: Teresa Heuzenroeder. 16.5/20 Jul 2018 RRP $19.95
Yalumba ‘Y Series’ South Australia Shiraz/Viognier 2016
Blended Red from Australia - South Australia
Review Date : 05-Jul-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Very dark, black-hued ruby-red colour with slight purple hues on the rim. The nose is elegant in proportion with intense and well-concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry and dark raspberry fruit entwined with violet florals, some black pepper, spices and minerals. This is gently lifted and fragrant. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rich and sweet core of ripe blackberries and dark raspberries entwined with violet florals. Some black pepper and spice notes add detail. The palate is rounded with an accessible mouthfeel, the fruit sweetness supported by soft, supple tannin structure with integrated acidity. This has good drive and the wine carries to a lingering finish. This is a rich, sweet-fruited, accessible Shiraz/Viognier with blackberry, raspberry, pepper and spices along with floral lift and a smooth mouthfeel. Serve with barbecued and grilled red meats over the next 3 years. A blend of Shiraz and Viognier, South Australian fruit fermented to 14.0% alc. and bottled without oak contact. 17.0/20 Jul 2018 RRP $16.95
Yalumba ‘Old Bush Vine’ Barossa Grenache 2017
Grenache from Australia - South Australia
Review Date : 05-Jul-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Pale ruby-red colour, lighter on the rim. The nose is initially light and restrained, but reveals raspberry fruit aromas melded with a line of fresh and dark herbs, unfolding a little pepper. An array of red fruits and herbs unfold with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate is fragrant with red florals, raspberry fruit and nuances of herbs and pepper. The fruit is rich and sweet, and the mouthfeel has energy and a slipperiness with light, supple tannin in support. A little alcoholic power underlines the fruit as it carries to a voluminous, ethereal finish of red florals and fruits. Deceptively light in colour, this Grenache has sweet raspberry fruit with supple tannin extract, and some underlying power. Match with poultry and pork, and Mediterranean fare over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from Barossa bush vines planted between 1898 and 1972, indigenous yeast fermentation initiated, and fermented with a small portion of whole clusters to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 6 months in seasoned American, French and Hungarian oak hogsheads. 17.0+/20 Jul 2018 RRP $24.00
Yalumba ‘Triangle Block’ Eden Valley Shiraz/Viognier 2016
Blended Red from Australia - South Australia
Review Date : 05-Jul-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Full, even, very dark ruby-red colour with purple hues, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is elegantly presented with tightly bound, slightly slender aromas of dark raspberries and blackberries along with lifted violet florals alongside subtle eucalyptus elements. This has good intensity and concentration. Fullish bodied, the palate is well-proportioned with intense and deeply concentrated flavours of ripe blackberry fruit with notes of violets, pepper and nuances of eucalypt. The flavours form a fine-textured core and the fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin structure and integrated acidity. This has very good linearity and carries to a long and sustained finish. This is an elegant, but intensely flavoured Shiraz/Viognier with blackberry fruit along with floral, pepper and eucalypt notes on a fine, firm, linear palate. Match with roasted lamb, beef and venison over the next 6+ years. Named after Yalumba’s oldest surviving centennial Shiraz vineyard. A blend of Shiraz and Viognier from the Eden Valley, fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 14% new French and Hungarian oak hogsheads. 18.0-/20 Jul 2018 RRP $24.95
Yalumba ‘Patchwork’ Barossa Shiraz 2016
Syrah from Australia - South Australia
Review Date : 05-Jul-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Full, even, black-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim with slight purple tints. The nose is softly rich and full with ripe fruit aromas of blackberries and dark raspberries, along with nuances of black plums, unfolding spice elements with black pepper, tar and minerals. Medium-full bodied, the palate has an elegantly proportioned palate with rich and deep flavours of ripe blackberry and plum fruit with liquorice, black pepper and tar. The flavours form a strong heart which reveals complexing earth and mineral detail as the wine flows. The fruit is supported by balanced, grainy tannin extraction and grip, with fresh acidity lending vitality. The wine leads to a long, soft, nuanced finish. This is a rich and concentrated Shiraz with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit along with liquorice, pepper and tar on a grainy textured palate. Match with roasted game meat and semi-hard cheeses over the next 6+ years. Barossa fruit, indigenous yeast ferment initiated, and fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 11% new American, French and Hungarian oak hogsheads, barriques and octaves. 18.0/20 Jul 2018 RRP $24.95

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Featured Reviews

STAY UP TO DATE

thecandicewinechat