Xanadu

 Julia Harding MW, Wine Writer (United Kingdom)  tasted  1 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  25 wines 

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Henschke Hill of Grace 2004 / 100% Shiraz grapes from pre-phylloxera material brought from Europe by the early settlers in the mid-1800s and grown in the Eden Valley wine region. Matured in 100% new French (50%) and American (50%) hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Slightly greyish but deep garnet. Intensely sweet dark cassis fruit plus some cedary leafy notes. Rich and smooth and really plush, generous and silky but also very moreish and juicy. pH 3.6, TA 5.7 g/l,

1y 5m ago

 Juha Lihtonen / The Best Scandinavian Sommelier 2003, Pro (Finland)  tasted  2 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  60 wines 

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Australia Wine Day 2019 gave a good insight from what is cooking in Wonderland Oz in DownUnder! Fascinating wines from Orange, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Margaret River. Some classics from Barossa like Grange 2011. Ashton Hills charmed with its Pinot Noirs, especially with the Reserve 2018 - absolutely delicious Burgundy-like pinot! Penley Estate impressed with its silky smooth and elegant red wines, and great label design! Among the exciting experiences were An Approach to Relaxation and Ten Minutes by Tractor, and many more. The best whites of the day were still the Margaret River Chardonnays, especially Leewuin Estate with its Montrachet-flair!

1y 5m ago

 Jeremy Oliver, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  8 wines 

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Rochford Premier Chardonnay 2017 / 98 points / Extraordinary chardonnay that deftly combines layers of emphatic, translucent fruit with measured winemaking input. Pristine, waxy aromas of grapefruit, white peach, white and yellow flowers and tight-knit vanilla oak overlie notes of ginger, coriander and smoked meats. Its vivacious, assertive core of fruit extends long and deep down a fine, chalky spine, all the while cloaked in creamy, nougat-like complexity and wrapped in an energetic, brittle acidity. A hint of honeysuckle emerges as it finishes. One of the finest Australian chardonnays made to this time. 
 19.5               98                  2025-2029+

2y 5m ago

 Erin Larkin, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  1 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  4 wines 

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Amongst the hustle, bustle and honour of our week down south, we were treated to a cabernet vertical at Cape Mentelle.

 This included the 1983 vintage: winner of the 1984 Jimmy Watson trophy – clearly well deserved and in pristine condition: 19.5 pts. Winemaker Evan Thomson and Technical Director and Head of Winemaking and Viticulture Frederique Parker Perrin took us through a flight of carefully selected vintages which were all in textbook condition. The wines showed us an evolution in style towards an elegant and long lived expression of cabernet. With such a dynasty to uphold, the current day winemakers are refining and perfecting a proven course of production- not reinventing the wheel.

Together they shed invaluable insight into their vineyards (most specifically the iconic Wallcliff vineyard from which the grapes for the cabernet are solely sourced), and the differences in growing areas in Wilyabrup. Their comments on the choice to include the 1995 due to the first time use of bird nets meant the winemakers were able to pick the grapes when they chose, and not forced to out of protection – precious information that would have taken weeks to dig out of books and past articles. The tasting formed the basis of an illustrative, informative and thrilling afternoon – and confirmed Cape Mentelle’s position as one of Margaret River’s foremost cabernet producers.

3y 11m ago

 Andrew Graham, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  2 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  12 wines 

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2014 Yarra Yering releases /Although things are about to pause for vintage (which is half over in the Hunter), a few winemakers have been in town recently, and Yarra Yering’s Sarah Crowe was one of those to stop by with a clutch of new releases under her arm.

As ever this is a strong collection of wines, from a winery that nails the classic, understated Yarra form. From what I can gather there isn’t much of these ’14s around, and judging by the traditional (great) style, I’ve got no doubt they’ll be well received – especially the excellent Underhill.

4y 1m ago

 Erin Larkin, Wine Writer (Australia)  tasted  2 wines  from  Xanadu . In a tasting of  4 wines 

“THE rose of the summer : A new addition for Deep Woods – this is their purpose built Estate Rose. Unfortunately Julian Langworthy (winemaker) didn’t make the Olympic swimming pool size quantities I was hoping for… With limited time on skins, this is a soft and pale blush pink, aromas of rose petals, strawberries, pink peppercorn, pomegranate, red apple skins, hints of savoury spice and ripe raspberries, all balanced by white pepper and a dry finish. Interestingly, the tiny white grape component of Vermentino is barrel fermented for texture, and the major blend of Tempranillo (texture and aromatics) and Shiraz (savouriness and colour) work together to create a Rose of suppleness, spice, complexity and life – THE rose of the summer. 93 points drink now.”

5y 1m ago