Smoking Loon Chardonnay, and McManis Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah from 2017

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Smoking Loon California Chardonnay 2017
  Chardonnay from USA

  Review Date : 11-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light golden-yellow colour with some depth, lighter edged. The nose is a little shy in expression but shows ripe tropical fruit and citrus fruit aromas, with suggestions of nuts and a little butteriness. This is uncomplicated and accessible. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has light flavours of ripe tropical fruit and citrus fruit with nutty oak-like elements and some buttery MLF nuances. The palate has fruit sweetness and richness, and the wine flows smoothly with good energy, the light acidity carrying the wine to a soft, but bright finish. This is a light-flavoured Chardonnay with tropical fruits and gentle nutty and buttery notes on a smooth and easy palate. Serve with poultry and pork over the next 2 years. California Chardonnay fruit fermented to 13.5% alc. 16.5/20 Nov 2018 RRP $23.00
• McManis Lodi California Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from USA

  Review Date : 11-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, moderately dark ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim with slight purple hues. The nose is soft and a little restrained, but opens to show good depth of ripe blackberry and dark-red plum fruit along with some spicy oak lift. The aromatics grow in depth and density with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate is tight and shy with flavour expression, with an elegant core of ripe dark-red and black berried fruits with plum hints, along with dark herbs and spicy oak nuances. The fruit has richness and sweetness with the palate showing good vinous presence. The fruit is supported by light, supple tannin extraction with soft, integrated acidity guiding the wine to a light, accessible finish. This is a shy-flavoured, but vinous Pinot Noir with flavours of ripe blackberry and plum fruit on a supple, light-textured palate. Match with pasta, pizza ad barbecued fare over the next 3+ years. Pinot Noir fruit from Lodi, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine receiving the equivalence of 6 months aging in new and seasoned French and American oak. 17.0+/20 Nov 2018 RRP $26.00
• McManis California Petite Sirah 2017
  Other Red from USA

  Review Date : 11-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, impenetrable purple-hued black-red colour, very youthful in appearance. This has a firmly concentrated and powerful, deep nose with aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with notes of blue fruits and black plums. An array of dark herb, spice and oak aromatics unfold adding detail. Medium-full bodied, the palate has richly ripe blackberry fruit with notes of blueberries, boysenberries and plums. Dark herbs, spices and oak add interest. The fruit forms a positive core with good drive and the wine flows smoothly with supple, fine-grained tannin structure and a little alcohol power carrying the flavours to a sweet-fruited and sustained finish. This is a powerful and deeply-packed Petite Sirah with black and blue fruits, spices, herbs and oak detail on a smooth-flowing palate with power. Match with roasted game meat dishes over the next 5-6 years. A blend of 80% Petite Sirah, 15% Tannat, 3% Teroldego and 2% Alicante Bouschet, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in new and seasoned French and American oak. 18.5-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $26.00