WineHunters

Vasse Felix 2023 Filius Cabernet Sauvignon - Modern Masterpiece
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Excellent modern Cabernet - clean & polished but with oodles of character. Blackberry, cedar, bay leaf and to***co come together quite neatly for a subtly rich parcel on the palate. Easy enough to drink by itself but rich enough to carry a steak. Very modern, but can't help loving this one all the same 🙂
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Score: 93/100 in June 2026
Enjoy through 2029
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We have delayed trying to craft this message, because what has happened is incomprehensible for some dear friends and industry colleagues, and what words could say it right/even start to do justice? In short, I suppose, we just want to say that we are heartbroken for those affected by the recent fires. Central VIC was hit hard. It must feel as if some have lost their identities altogether....
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A list of known wineries who have been impacted can be found here: https://winecompanion.com.au/articles/news/victorian-bushfires-2026
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Please keep these people in your prayers, offer a smile, and buy some of their wines if you're able. For anyone just needing an ear to talk to, we are available.

Rogues Lane Vineyard 2022 Shiraz - A Powerhouse to Put Down
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Rogues Lane is well known (among those in the know) for its dense & beautiful Shirazes, and this winner is one for the cellar. Visually, the impenetrable black cherry colour seems almost electric in its intensity. On the nose, cola, cherry and summer spices. At first sip, one is struck by the sheer density and richness, nay flagrant opulence of the flavours. On further consideration (and further sips), the cornucopia of flavours slowly reveal themselves, featuring liquorice, black cherry, cola, fennel and so much more. We wish we knew how they grew such fruit - it really is a mircale.
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T‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍his is a great wine now on its way to extraordinary in a couple years. With its bright acidity and firm tannic structure, this wine can and should be safely cellared for at least another 3-7 years. We believe this will eventually become Rogues Lane's greatest since 2017...
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Score: 95/100 (on its way to something higher) drinking in Dec 2025
If you can resist, drink from 2028 on....

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The Most Extraordinary Shiraz!! - People's Choice Wine Awards - Central VIC Gold Medal Reviews
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For any show that encompasses Heathcote & Bendigo, Shiraz is destined to be the big kahuna, and so it rightfully was, with the Shiraz category attracting more entries than any other at the People's Choice Wine Awards - Central VIC. Because the show only allowed one Shiraz per winery, judges only had to evaluate the best of the best. Thus it is with full confidence (and thirsty palate) that we heartily endorse the below as stunning examples of what Central VIC can do with Australia's favourite varietal.
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* Carlei Estate 2020 "Root Day" Shiraz - 2025 PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINE OF SHOW - Beautiful broad fruit; great fruit complexity with layers and layers to unpack. Just the right kiss of oak, but the dark fruit stays the hero. Hyper smooth; stunning finish - one of the most poised Shirazes you'll ever try. This is an incredible Shiraz that you should go buy and try today!
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* Condie Estate - Heathcote 2021 "The Gwen" Shiraz - Rich, spicy and smooth - everything you want from Heathcote! Youthful & exuberant, this wine should evolve spectacularly over the next few years.
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* Peregrine Ridge 2013 Limited Release Shiraz - BEST IN CLASS - There are dark currents of power in this wine that somehow "warm the soul". Exceptional mouthfeel and depth. As one judge summed it: "the nose says it all, great fruit, great oak, the Grange of this show"
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* Red Edge Wine 2022 "Big Red" - Beautiful nose; classic heathcote on the palate. Rich oak, big fruit, great` poise, length, and balance throughout. This wine has a surprising grace to it...
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* Rogues Lane Vineyard 2019 Shiraz - Opaque inky black in colour, befitting such a mysterious, dark and shifting gem with its subtle complexities below the surface. Perfect integration and rewarding finish.
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* Sanguine Estate Wines 2022 D'Orsa - This is a beast of a wine attracting descriptors like "rich, powerful, and oaky". The powerful fruit and oak easily carry the wines rich taninc mesh. Exceptional flavour and finish.
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* Water Wheel Vineyards 2022 Baringhup Shiraz - Powerful in every regard - aroma, flavour, profile & finish. Marked and atypical but beautiful with its sultry black raspberry & vanillin flavours. "Rich", "hyper-smooth", "calls for steak", "unique" - in short delicious.
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W‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍hat beautiful Shirazes indeed. Events like this show and glorious Shirazes like these are
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Some Extraordinary Wines!! Wine Show "Alternative Reds" Gold Medal Reviews
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The "alternative" red category has attracted so much excitement, interest, plantings/graftings, and now production over the last five years, it can hardly be called "alternative" anymore! With its growth, the "category" (which really needs to be broken into a few categories at this point) has naturally evolved. The themes we saw in the gold medal winners at the People's Choice Wine Awards - Central VIC this year were more power and/or more complexity. Although these gold winners are not all "big wines", every one stands on its own feet and would be suitable to a wide variety of red drinkers.
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We are super excited to present the following. You'll be thrilled to have purchased any of these bottles.
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* Domaine Asmara 2024 Reserve Grenache - A stewie, near Shirazy nose with rich liquorice and spices is your segue to a taste experience that starts all soft, beautiful, and plush but crescendos into an authoritative finish. No sharp edges here; just juicy fruit power. $47
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* Farmer & The Scientist 2023 Tempranillo - Refreshingly powerful for an AUS Tempranillo. Rich purple fruits framed in a complex tannic structure. Full mouth feel and long finish with notes of liquorice, plum and figs. $40
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* Pook Road 2019 "The Alchemist" Sparkling Red Blend - The nose is so rich (near thrashing) with raspberry, vanilla and spicy complexity - On the palate, blackberry, roses, strawberry and so much more. Such extraordinary complexity with so much going on. Rich but dry with superb balance. A stunning, serious wine! $65
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* Red Edge Wine 2024 Mourvedre - An intriguingly savoury nose gives way to a beautiful cherry jam palate with all its subtle complexities. Great balance and flavour and extremely pleasant lingering finish.
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* Tar & Roses 2024 Sangiovese - Finally, a punchy AUS Sangiovese in all the right ways. Plush nose with pretty pinot noir elements. Rich and juicy on the palate with just a kiss of vanilla. Maintains its poise throughout its great length. $30
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* Silver Spoon Estate 2021 "Death and Taxes" Grenache Shiraz Tempranillo - BEST IN CLASS - What an extraordinary wine. Stunning nose. Smooth, plush and gently complex palate with cinnamon, cigar, coffee and more. Extremely well balanced. Will please big- and light-red drinkers alike! "Has everything." A noble wine indeed. SOLD OUT
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Stunners like these are
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