Several of the wines were relatively shy on first pour, but improved enormously with aeration.
We found ourselves going back to the masked wines again and again; to compare, contrast, and follow their evolution into a delightful selection was an utter pleasure to taste.
Price (cellar door): $25
Rating: Very good
An appealing delicacy here. Fragrant with hints of peach, citrus and oak nuances: a whisper of funk in the background. Textural entry, a fineness to the peach, nectarine, spices and grilled nuts on a crisp, distinctly dry frame. The palate builds in richness, developing a chewy, lip-smacking quality with a long, nutty finish.
Nicely poised.
Price: $32
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Juicy fruit gum at first, moving to tropical fruits with a backdrop of apple. The palate shows rich, ripe fruit in the tropical spectrum adding notes of spiced apple, toffee apple and warm bread with a delicious mealy character. For its power, it remains light on its feet with fresh acidity framing the long finish.
Time brings added complexity.
Price: $39
Rating: Excellent
Smoke, subtle ripe fruits, peach and baked bread. A tighter, drier palate at first with a fine core of acidity and a chewy feel to the palate hinting at fruit pith. A slow burner that builds in intensity adding stonefruit notes and grilled banana to a spicy, almost peppery mid palate.
A cleansing crispness on the long finish that leaves you wanting more.
Price: $41
Rating: Very good
Burnt match, gunflint, smoke, tropical nuts with a citrus freshness. Power and concentration here on the richly textural palate that adds notes of mineral and wet stone: a crisp acid zing bringing zestiness.
A lot going on here, but the sulphides are dominating the wine for now, the wine firming up: give this time to come together.
Price: $33
Rating: Excellent
Subtle at first with notes of wet stone, quickly developing citrus, ripe peach and tropical notes. A minerally, schisty palate with a lovely citrusy core: the oak a well judged backdrop. This grows considerably in intensity, with a real sense of drive and energy to it adding a delicious spiciness to the long close suggesting grilled nuts.
Very fine and elegant!
Price: $29
Rating: Very good to excellent
Hints of lanolin, struck match and nuts with a piquant element akin to chopped herbs. A slippery, oily texture in the mouth, spicy and warming with an exotic greengage plum element leading to hints of almond on the close.
This really comes together beautifully with time: delectable freshness, lovely texture and richness completing the package.
