The New Australia - Oakridge, Murdoch Hill, Ministry Of Clouds & Ruggabellus

I was invited by Quaffable Wines to taste "The New Australia" - wines highlightning freshness, terroir, balance and that are lower in alcohol; in contrast to the previous "oak monsters" that had maximum ripeness, sweetness and a high alcohol content (but I must confess that I like those broad shouldered ones to...:-)). A fine showing of distinct and personal wines.

Oakridge
2016 Over The Shoulder Chardonnay
A fine, lightly smoky nose with notes of white flowers, pears and lemons. Cool and fine.
The taste is dry and cool with notes of lime, white flowers and chrushed flint. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Local Vineyards Series Barkala Chardonnay
A very fine, nutty nose with notes of summer flowers, chrushed rocks and tangerines. A fine depth. Some matchstick aromas.
The taste is tight and stringent with a very fine acidity and notes of white currants, lemon cream and minerals. Really fine.
92p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Over The Shoulder Pinot Noir
A nice, spicy nose with notes of smoke, dark red berries and some rubbery scents.
The taste is high pitched with notes of dried raspberries, earth and root vegetables. A tad foursquare. A good acidity.
86p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Local Vineyards Series Willowlake Pinot Noir
A fine, medium deep nose with notes of raspberries, licorice, earth and a hint of chocolate.
The taste is sandy and structured with notes of red currants, minerals and licorice. A fine mouthfeel. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2018/02)

Murdoch Hill
2016 Pinot Noir
A cool nose with notes of dried strawberries, anise and some warm dusty aromas.
The taste is warm and spicy with notes of raspberries, licorice and earth. Some dry tannins at the end. Needs some years.
87p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Sulky
The Sulky is a blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Merlot and 25% Pinot Meunier and sports a deep, focused nose with notes of spices, meat stock, licorice and burning birch logs. Very fine.
The taste is long and tight with notes of grounded peppers, cool blackberries, earth and spices. Lovely.
91p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Pheaeton Pinot Noir
A racy, refined nose with notes of wild strawberries, licorice, fertil soil and spices. Very handsome. Really fine.
The taste is finely tuned but with substance and character and notes of roses, strawberries, earth and herbs. A very fine acidity. Long and rewarding. Great.
93p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 The Surrey Pinot Meunier
It is not every day I drink a pure Pinot Meunier. This one has a fine, spicy nose with notes of cranberries, earth, cigarette ash and a hint of chocolate. Interesting and fine.
The taste is cool and handsome with notes of ripe lingonberries, cranberries, spices and some tobacco notes. Very, very good.
92p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Landau Syrah
A really fine, laidback nose with notes of white pepper, veal, bakelite and chrushed rocks.
The taste is finely structured and sandy with notes of violets, meat, white peppers and some nougat. A very long, balanced finish. Gorgeous.
93p   (tasted 2018/02)

Ministry of Clouds
2016 Grenache
There is lots of underbrush, fir wood, lingonberries and rubber in this complex, pure, high nose. Really fine.
The taste is racy and fine with notes of allspice, sand, leather and herbs. A very fine tannin/acidity combo. Great wine.
92p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Shiraz
A fine, deep, peppery nose with notes of ripe lingonberries, blueberries, meat and scorched earth.
The taste is balanced and sandy with notes of blueberries, bay leaves, salt licorice and black pepper. A fine, structured finish. Very, very good.
92p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Tempranillo Grenache
A earthy, dry nose with notes of mixed red fruits, capers and some smoke.
The taste is seedy and warm with notes of ripe lingonberries, dry wood, herbs and forest floor. Nice enough.
87p   (tasted 2018/02)

Ruggabellus
2016 Fluus
A high pitched nose with notes of herb, soap, hot gravel and a mix of blueberries and raspberries. Interesting.
The taste is cool and energetic with notes of lingonberries, undergrowth and herbs. The finish is a tad angular. Very good. 38% Syrah, 21% Cinsault, 21% Grenache and 20% Mataro.
88p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Efferus
The 2015 was a stunner. The 16 is even better. The nose is tight and handsome with lovely notes of dried strawberries, wet asphalt, fresh herbs and a hint of tobacco. Very, very fine.
The taste is pure and concentrated with a lovely balance, silky tannins and a long, harmonious finish. A great wine now and will go on for 10+ years. 71% Mataro, 17% Syrah, 10% Grenache and 2% Cinsault.
95p   (tasted 2018/02)

2016 Timaeus
This 76% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 7% Mataro and 5% Cinsault blend offers up a warm, herbal nose with a fine concentration and a fine smoke raspberry fruit. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and complex with notes of smoke, earth, dried raspberries and assorted peppers. A long, sandy finish. A very fine wine.
92p   (tasted 2018/02)