Appellation Australia

The results for the 2006 Sydney International Wine Competition are available here. Each wine in the top 100 displays the tasting notes from the judges and it is interesting to see some of the disparity between the notes on the same wines.

Lethbridge Wines (Geelong) - A winery that I hadn’t tried wines from prior to this event. The vineyards are maintained with a strong bio-dynamic and organic influence. The Lethbridge Pinot Noir was also included in my Pinor master class review, and although it didn’t show well on that occasion, others have said that their sample from a different bottle was better.

“Allegra” Chardonnay 2004 - Some elegant minerality and slate on the nose. Really well handled oak treatment, with the oak providing strong support and a touch of toast but no signs of the oak dominating the fruit. 89/100

Sauvignon Blanc 2004 - Slightly austere and unyielding. Crisp palate with good acid carrying through to the finish. 87/100

“Menage” Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2005 - 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50 % Semillon with the Sauvignon Blanc elements traits overpowering the Semillon influence at the moment. 86/100

Killara Park Estate (Yarra Valley) -

Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - Freshly cut grass on the nose. Palate is medium intensity but thins out towards the finish. 85/100

Chardonnay 2004 - Nose was completely mute, couldn’t get anything from it. Rich, toasty and broad on the palate. 83/100

Innocent Bystander (Yarra Valley) - An offshoot of the Giant Steps winery, with wines aimed at a lower price point and being easier to drink in their youth.

Chardonnay 2005 - Fresh, fruity and made for immediate consumption. No major problems except for a lack of anything interesting. 85/100

Heathcote Winery (Heathcote) - There will also be a review of the “Curagee” Shiraz from this producer in the Heathcote master class roundup.

“Mail Coach” Viognier 2004 - Some stone fruit and spices on the nose, but sadly overly alcoholic on both the nose and palate. 86/100

Graeme Miller Wines (Yarra Valley) - The owners of this winery were very friendly and I hope that the wines I tried were off-bottles rather than being representative. As always though, I can only review what is in the glass.

Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - Easy drinking with some tropical fruit on the nose and a crisp palate. 86/100

Chardonnay 2005 - Seems faulty - burnt rubber and smoke and earth with a dirty taste on the palate. 75/100

Rosé 2005 - I’m sorry to say this, but this was the most faulty wine I have ever tasted. Dominant onion skins, rubber, and some barnyard characters on the nose with the palate living up to the promise of the nose. 50/100

Goulburn Terrace (Goulburn Valley) -

“Moon” Sparkling Marsanne 2002 - Very cheesy, leesy and a bit of toffee. Palate finishes short. Something a bit different at least. 87/100

Chardonnay 2003 - Touch of minerality on the nose but not much else. Soft, round mouth-feel. 87/100

Giant Steps (Yarra Valley) - Owned by Phil, Allison and Harry Sexton. Phil was the founder of the successful Devil’s Lair in the Margaret River and founded this winery a few years after selling Devil’s Lair to Southcorp in 1996.

“Harry’s Monster” Cabernet Blend 2004 - 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 14% Petit Verdot. Tight, closed nose. Palate is powerful without being over the top. Very good structure and mouth-feel. Certain to improve with more time in bottle. 89/100

“Tarraford Vineyard” Chardonnay 2004 - Minerals, flint and a touch of struck match. Powerful, intense palate with good length. 88/100

Pinot Noir 2004 - Very stalky nose. A bit of an acid spike on the palate. Tannins are good and the fruit is good, just needs that acid to fall back into line. 87/100

Merlot 2003 - Restrained nose, with plums and a touch of oak. Length is good but everything is so closed at the moment that it is hard to tell where it will end up. 87/100

Chardonnay 2004 - Butter, yeast and oak at the forefront. Overpowering, broad palate. Perhaps it will settle down, but I haven’t liked this either of the times that I have tried it. 85/100

Eldridge Estate (Mornington Peninsula) -

Chardonnay 2003 - Citrus peel, melon and roasted nuts. Very nice textured mouthfeel and good oak integration. Could possibly use a touch more acid to help with balance. 89/100

“North Patch” Chardonnay 2004 - Elegant, clean nose - very citrusy with some flinty aromas. However, the palate lacks depth and structure. 87/100

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2005 - 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillon. Very intense grassy and herby nose. Palate is a bit thin and uninteresting. 86/100

Dromana Estate (Mornington Peninsula) - A winery that encompasses a number of labels and brands. Nothing really stood out for me on this occasion.

“Mornington Estate” Chardonnay 2002 - Melon, citrus and a touch of steel and butter. Palate has good flavour but is lacking texture and an element to provide interest. 86/100

“David Traeger” Verdelho 2004 - Fresh tropical fruit salad aromas but really lacking palate structure or interest. 84/100

“Yarra Hills” Chardonnay 2003 - I found this to be too oaky, buttery and lacking in balance. Clearly trying for a powerful style but over-doing it. 84/100

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2005 - 85% Sauvignon with the remainder Semillon. Bland and unexciting. 83/100

“Mornington Estate” Pinot Gris 2005 - Fresh, slightly floral nose - but lacking in anything else to mention, palate is watery and bland.82/100

“i” Arneis 2004 - Strong, dominating sulphur aromas on the nose. Palate has a bit of spice to it but doesn’t have balance. 79/100