Winetastic

We have saved the best of the current crop of Yelland & Papps reds until last - the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon comes up trumps, delivering in both the fruit department and length.

Powerful blackcurrant fruits with a touch of mint take the lead with and a dash of pepper on the long, drying finish. Very persistant flavours and velvety tannins are a highlight.

I might be being a bit of a points miser here as I expect the wine will improve over the medium to long term. Even as a young wine it should look great along side a hearty beef dish. As usual Barossa Cabernet trumps Shiraz for my tastes.

Score: 92/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: None I could find…
Would I buy this wine?
Yes, it’s an excellent Barossa Cabernet

My tasting notes for the Yelland & Papps Greenock Shiraz 2007 have been sitting on my desk for 2 months awaiting a write up, unfortunately life’s events have got in the way, apologies for the delay.

Perfumed shiraz fruit, leather, earth and a hint of chocolate. The powerful and juicy front palate holds much promise, with mouthfilling berries and aniseed however there is little in the way of tannin and the flavours quickly drop away. A better showing was found on the second day, though the finish was still a tad short.

For what its worth, several respected critics have rated this wine highly. We tasted this bottle alongside the 2007 Grenache and Cabernet and it definitely appeared to be the weaker sibling.

Score: 87/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: The Wine Front (Subscription Required)
Would I buy this wine?
No

We have been fortunate enough to receive samples of three premium reds from Yelland & Papps in the Barossa, all of which should be released very soon. First up we have the Yelland & Papps Old Vine Grenache 2007.

Some alcoholic heat detracts from the vibrant red berry and dusty earth aromas. Medium bodied and silky smooth, the persistant finish is nice and savoury with a refreshing acidic bite.

Like the 2006 vintage, this wine is held together with acidity rather than tannin, however it seems to be missing the “x-factor” of the older sibling. Given that the balance is there now, I think this will be looking very good with a few years in the bottle.

Score: 89/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: None I could find yet…
Would I buy this wine?
Make haste and snap up some of the 2006 before it sells out!

We have saved the best for last from Yelland & Papps, the Old Vine Grenache 2006 is atypical for the region, however in a very good way.

Mid ruby red, initially the aromas are of subtle sweet berries, though the full flavoured palate is full of red cherry, rich dark chocolate and an earthyness I rather appreciate. Acidity rather than tannin binds the whole lot together, though there is some fine tannin evident on the long finish. Smooth, easy drinking, well balanced and full of interest.

This is a wine that has polarised opinion somewhat, I feel that if you prefer your wines in a more savoury style: eg Italian or Hunter Valley, then this Grenache will hit the spot. I feel it’s a classy number and food friendly to boot.

Score: 92/100
Price: $30
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Yelland & Papps, Torbwine
Would I buy this wine?
Yes

The Yelland & Papps Barossa Valley Shiraz 2007 appears to be the entry level red in the portfolio, coming in with a price tag of $20.

Initially vanilla oak dominates the nose with some briary dark fruit lurking below. On the palate this Shiraz is young and feisty with juicy dark fruits, a goodly dose of spice and a grippy tannic finish. Over a few hours, the fruit character emerged to swallow up the oak to a degree, leaving a rich and fairly enjoyable Barossa Shiraz.

I feel this is a wine that needs at least another 6 months in bottle before it’s youthful exuberance is pulled into line.

Score: 88/100
Price: $20
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Torbwine
Would I buy this wine?
No, I found the oak a little overbearing.

This is the first of three wines from the family owned and run winery Yelland & Papps of the Barossa. So without further ado, I present the Yelland & Papps Grenache Rose 2008.

Strawberries! Plenty of them on the nose of this vibrant red Rose. The palate is certainly full flavoured when compared to its peers, presenting strawberry jam flavours up front and just enough acid to keep things in check for an off-dry finish.

I feel this is a wine that would be very popular with the average punter, however red bigots may find it a tad sweet. In short it’s a good, full flavoured Rose with the price tag you would expect.

Score: 87/100
Price: $17
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13%
Would I buy this wine?
No, although well made, I prefer a dryer Rose

Released from the shackles of winter we are now free to enjoy a nice chilled glass of Rosé in the sun, and what better way to kick off this season than with the Turkey Flat Rosé 2008.

A hat-trick of strawberries: colour, aroma and flavour, howzat? Crisp and refreshing with some strawberry and raspberry fruit up front, a drying acid backbone and some nice minerality on the finish.

I always find it hard to score Rosé wines, however on a warm day in the sunshine I would drink this one over most full bodied red wines, so take the score in that context.

Score: 90/100
Price: $19
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13%
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, it is reasonably priced.

It is said great wine starts in the vineyard and Lengmeil certainly have a head start in this regard, boasting some of the oldest shiraz producing vines in the world. This up and coming Barossa producer has made an intense and bold, yet strangely elegant wine from a blend of Shiraz (48%), Grenache (42%), and Mourvèdre (10%).

A deep blood red in colour, with a nose of brooding cherries, damp hedgerow berries and a hint of subtle spice, this blend is initially juicy and fruity on the palate. This wine settles down into earthier, almost dirtier, darker berry flavours, with prominent but fine tannin. Medium bodied, there is a subtle jammy quality which is balanced out by the red juicy acid flavours. This is a bottle that definitely benefits from some time in the decanter.

Score: 89/100
Price: $19.50 from the cellar door, though I do believe some Dan Murphy’s stores are carrying this wine.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Langmeil
Would I buy this wine again? I really appreciate the slightly more savoury approach to GSM’s, rather than the overly sweet fruit monsters that have made their way onto the market, so yes. I am also a big fan of this producer and have them down as one to watch over the next few years.

Turkey Flat is an historic estate in the Barossa Valley and is widely recognised in the wine world as one of the New World’s foremost rosé producers. Made from a unique blend of Grenache, Cab Sauv, Shiraz and Dolcetto, the Turkey Flat 2007 Rosé lives up to the high standards set by previous vintages.

A shocking pink in colour this rosé has a fragrant nose of fresh strawberries and raspberries. The palate is clean and crisp, with a hint of subtle strawberries balanced with a slight minerality which makes for a dry but surprisingly intense and full flavoured rosé. There is no real sweetness as you get with most examples of the variety, but instead there is a wonderful flavour concentration which makes for an appealing and very drinkable summer wine. My advice to anyone who has a bottle of this wine; chill sufficiently, pour into glass and drink.

Score: 87/100
Price: $18
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13%
Would I buy this wine again? For sure, this is a great lunchtime or summer wine, always good to have a bottle on hand.

The last in a trio from Barossa producers Scorpiiion is their 2006 GSM, which is comprised of 45% Grenache, 42% Shiraz and 13% Mataro, all of which is sourced from the Barossa Valley.

Vibrant ripe plum and blackberry aromas are entwined with lurking chocolate and vanilla. On the palate I found intense flavours of fleshy dark fruits, a velvety mouthfeel and a little drying tannin on the finish. Its full bodied, fruit forward and very gluggable.

After having the chance to taste three different wines produced by Scorpiiion, I can definitely see the fruit driven but balanced style they are aiming for across the range. The GSM represents the best bang for your buck and is a great option if you just want to buy, open and drink. Prices appear to range from $15-23, depending on your selection of retailer and the number of bottles, Squashedgrape being the cheapest at this time.

Score: 89/100
Price: $21
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Wine Without Wank
Would I buy this wine?
Although I personally lean toward more savoury styles, $17 per bottle is a great price.