Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting some notes from this recent tasting at Customs House in Sydney, Australia.
Crawford River
- 2011 Crawford River Riesling Young Vines – Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty
Appealing, youthful nose of florals, pineapple and honeydew melon. Palate has a crisp line of acidity and good length. 89/100 - 2005 Crawford River Riesling – Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty
Honey, a pinch of smoke, lime and a fair bit of kerosene (which I happen to like). Palate is showing significant development, it is still kept fresh by the acidity but I think this is best consumed in the near future. 88/100
Craiglee
- 2009 Craiglee Chardonnay – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Sunbury
Cashew, oats and some citrus. On the palate the mouthfeel occasionally feels like it is tipping towards being overly rich, but it pulls back just in time. Interesting but I wasn’t particularly smitten. 88/100 - 2008 Craiglee Shiraz Viognier – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Sunbury
Tobacco, raspberry and light lifted violets. The palate is bright, showing ripe red fruits along with good length and texture. 89/100 - 2009 Craiglee Shiraz – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Sunbury
Some smoked bacon, cherry, five spice and raspberry aromas. The palate is savoury, hinting at mixed spices with good length and restrained red fruit. I thought this was very good but lacking a little magic. 89/100 - 2010 Craiglee Shiraz – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Sunbury
Stalks, tar and smoke comprise the nose. The palate is more rounded in flavour, with some darker fruits evident but the stalky character still sticks out right through to the finish. Maybe it just needs time to settle down in bottle, but it wasn’t quite balanced right now. 88/100
Masterclass: Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Robinson Vineyard
- 2010 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Robinson Vineyard – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
Tight nose, some melon and light white florals. The palate is rounded while having some decent acidity to keep it from being too round, but there is an overall lack of depth. It may just need time but it wasn’t impressive now. I looked this up on their website and it is $55 a bottle, an easy pass. 88/100 - 2009 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Robinson Vineyard – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
Oats, some spice and very light honey. The palate is rounded and medium length, it struggles with a lack of acidity and interest. 86/100 - 2008 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Robinson Vineyard – Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
Pineapple, some quince and light nutty aromas. The palate offers okay fruit intensity, but it is lacking in depth. Similar to the 2009, it could use more acidity to brighten and given the palate focus. 86/100