THE WINEFRONT REVIEWS

We've got some good feedback on the new release wines from Campbell Mattinson of the Wine Front!

2015 the surly muse - 92 points

Barossa Valley blend of 50/50 viognier and marsanne. A whole lot to like. You’d have to say that this nails the style. It’s fresh, vibrant, is slipped with enough flavour and then races straight through the finish line. Candied citrus, stone fruits, fresh lime, honeysuckle. It’s just a little underdone, but in a good way. It has good mouthfeel too. Give it another six months in bottle and it really should start to sing.

2014 the twilight path – 92 points

Barossa blend of primitivo (70%), mataro (20%) and graciano. It’s no shrinking violet. It’s dark in colour and deep of flavour, with jammy blackberry and tar flavours through the middle before rusty, ferrous, campfire notes add intrigue around the edges. The finish/aftertaste then turns sweet, raspberried, almost liqueurous, though dry/grainy tannin is a handy offset. Very good. 

2014 the moonlight run – 92 points

58% mataro, 22% grenache, 20% shiraz. Barossa Valley. Beautiful set of numbers. Delicious wine to drink. Earthen and spicy but loaded with dark, substantial fruit. Sweet and dry. Complex flavours but a simple/straightforward appeal. It feels as though it’s been forged in a hot, dry, sandy landscape, the berries soaked in sun. No complaints whatsoever.

2014 the eleventh hour - 94 points

Shiraz, from a variety of Barossa vineyards. Pure and simple.This pours it on. It feels modern but it also feels intense. If you want to sink your teeth into top shelf Barossa shiraz, in a modern context; check out this wine. Dense plum, tar, cedarwood, cloves, graphite. It strikes the chord and holds it. The flavours hum. if you enjoy Barossa shiraz, you’re as good as guaranteed to respond well to this.

2014 the howling dog - 94 points

Traditionally Massena has made The Howling Dog with durif/petite sirah; this release is a blend of 72% saperavi, 16% petite sirah and 12% tannat. The Howling Dog aspect may well have been lost a bit, but the blend itself sounds full of promise.Dark, brooding colour. Thick flavour. Asphalt, cloves, blackberry, sweet woodsmoke. Mouth-filling and mouth-puckering. Chunky chains of tannin drag through the wine. It’s not overdone, despite the way it sounds. Fresher, red-berried flavours peek through the finish, though it remains a Very Big Wine. A mouthful, but an intriguing one.