Delectable Blue

9.5

Listed as off-dry, but was slightly sweeter than anticipated. Certainly towards the sweeter end of the riesling spectrum. Not that there is anything wrong with that. The flavours are delicate and well balanced, with stone fruit prominent on the front palate, supported by flint and a subtle citrus spritz on the back palate. A truly beautiful wine. — 8 years ago

Delectable Blue

6.9

I have never had a Wolf Blass red that I really enjoyed, so I’ve been avoiding them for the last 20 years. I was hoping the Gray Label would change my mind. Alas, it’s not to be. The flavours taste very one-dimensional for me. The fruit tastes sharp and unappealing, the wine lacking any significant complexity, and the flavour balance tastes downright wrong to me. I really don’t get it. To me this is no better than a $10 VinoMofo Glenlofty shiraz. No where near as good actually. Down the sink I think! — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.3

Compared directly to the 2014 Brothers and Sisters (B&S).

You can tell immediately that both wines have been cut from the same cloth. Both share the same vibrancy of fruit with cassis flavours predominating. The King adds some blueberry notes that are missing from the B&S, and tastes slightly sweeter as a result. There is also an intensity and depth to the fruit in the King that the B&S lacks. This difference is mirrored in the bouquet, with the King smelling intensely aromatic, with some subtle cedar overtones. The secondary flavour profile is also slightly different. The King is missing some of the mid-palate complexity and the balance that comes so effortlessly to the B&S. The B&S is dark and brooding where the King is still a little more lively, the sweetness of the attack masking the savoury mid-palate to some extent. The secondary flavours of the King include tar, liquorice nutmeg and bramble, the balance still coming together. The finish is quite distinct, with the King displaying an intense and long black current Pastille like finish. The tannins are also more prominent, as would be expected. Fine and dusty and perfectly structured at this stage of its development, softening appreciably after a 3hr decant.
A lovely wine, but I’m happy to put this one away for a few years to develop, while I enjoy the B&S. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.2

Carrying the distinct flavour of ripe summer fruits and honeydew melon, this wine is aptly named. Supported with secondary flavours of honeydew melon, toffee and pie crust, the wine is simply irresistible. Unlike the 2014, the oak treatment is quite restrained, with only subtle woody notes, and a divine malolactic creaminess left on the palate. The mouthfeel is quite luxurious, although I would have liked to see a little more acidity in the wine. A sublime chardonnay. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.3

Classic left-bank bordeaux in flavour. A real sensory delight. Fresh red plumb and spicy dark cherry on the front palate, with a dark savoury core of tobacco leaf, bay leaf, graphite and wet gravel. But it’s the back palate that really shines. The oak long forgotten, yielding to complex layers of smokey gamey goodness. The tannins fine and silky, the finish long. The wine still vibrant after 12 years. Tastes like it could easily go another decade. Delicious. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.0

Quite a different wine to the 2011. It is much younger however. There is sweetness on the attack and marked acidity on the back palate. There are dusty tannins in support, so it should all come together with time. The flavour profile of the 2013 is towards the sweeter end of the spectrum, loosing some of the seductive savoury core of the 2011. The flavours are strongly in the blackberry, black cherry and cassis spectrum, with only a hint of the raspberry from the 2011. Secondary complexity is still a little laking at this stage of its development, with hints of cigar box, liquorice and spice present. Very nice, but really needs more time.

As with the 2011, insanely intense flavours developed, 2-3 after the regular 3hr decant. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.2

A lovely luscious chardonnay. White peach and grapefruit flavours with a saline undercurrent and lime peel setting off the palate. Very smooth with a creamy mouthfeel, but no evidence of malolactic fermentation except for a subtle hint of creme brûlée. The oak very restrained. The acid is quite subdued at this point, giving the wine great balance with a long lingering finish. Simply beautiful. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

7.9

Unfortunately this wine reminds me too much of the Wolf Blass Grey Label I tipped down the sink last week. At $31 a bottle from VinoMofo I was expecting greatness, but all I get is a cold glass of disappointment. This wine is much better structured than the wolf blass, but there is simply not enough sweetness in the fruit to counterbalance the underling salinity of the wine. The VM tasting notes promise a wine "heady with spiced red plum and cherry flavours", but all I get is a thin saline, slightly iodised flavour of something that might be fruit related. Probably more accurate is the winemakers note that there is "Potent herb infused fruit on attack". There is certainly a potent herbal complexity to the wine, with layer upon layer of green herbal notes (predominately sage) along with underlying tar notes. But I just can't get past that iodised salinity on the front of the palate. It tastes like I should be gargling with it for medicinal purposes. Sadly my first VinoMofo return.

P.S. That salinity in the wine meant that it paired exquisitely with food, but on its own it was just too unbalanced. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.4

Well this is confusing. A very unusual shiraz. On first tasting it tastes a little thin and earthy, more like a Pinot than a Shiraz. After the initial surprise (shock) and a re-calibration of my expectations I find myself liking it a lot. Dark cherry and vanilla predominate on the palate with a rich creamy mouthfeel. Complex , smoky and savoury flavours persist on the back palate, supported by the merest touch of liquorice. The tannins are fine and dusty tannins and the good balance.

As a Pinot I would rate it very highly. As a Shiraz I'm confused, but in a good way. I like it a lot, but am struggling with my pre-conceptions.

A real surprise (shock) packet. This is why I so love wine. — 9 years ago

Delectable Blue

9.2

A difficult vintage for the Barossa, but the twins seem to have survived without too much duress. The flavour profile is a little on the austere side, but there is still enough sweetness left in the fruit to carry the day, leaving the wine with a lingering seductive savoury profile. The flavours favour raspberry and bramble over blackberry and cassis, with liquorice, spice, red bell pepper, pencil shavings, and vanilla in supporting roles. Still a little tanic but the balance seems pretty good. Very nice really. Pity I only had the one bottle, should cellar well. — 9 years ago