Thirty Bench Winery
Thirty Bench Tasting, May 30, 2019:
Thirty Bench Winemaker’s Blend Riesling 2017 ($22.95, Vintages Essential): Bright, pale straw colour; spicy, floral, minerally, honeyed lime nose; light to medium-bodied, the perception of dryness mitigated by a honeyed note, grapefruit flavour. (89)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Steel Post Riesling 2017 ($29.95): Still tight but showing a lovely lavender and citrus nose with a thread of minerality; light to medium-bodied, dry, crisp, grapefruit flavour with crunchy acidity. (90)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Triangle Vineyard Riesling 2017 ($29.95): Already developing petrol notes; lightly honeyed, apple and grapefruit bouquet; light to medium-bodied, dry, juicy and round on the palate, beautifully balanced, crabapple and citrus flavours. (91)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Wild Cask Riesling 2017 ($29.95): Woodsy-earthy nose of grapefruit skin; light to medium-bodied, dry, honeyed, green apple and lime flavours with a long floral-lime and grapefruit flavour. (90)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Pinot Noir 2016 ($36.95): Light ruby colour; spicy, cherry nose with a forest floor note; medium-bodied, dry, beetroot and red plum flavours with lively acidity. (88.5)
Thirty Bench Winemaker’s Blend 2016 ($24.95)(62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot): Deep ruby colour; cedary, plum nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, plum and currant flavours with evident but supple tannins, well-structured, with pencil lead and cocoa powder notes. (88)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Merlot 2016 ($48.95): Deep ruby colour, cedary, cherry nose with tobacco notes; medium-bodied, dry and savoury, firmly structured with grainy tannins. (89)
Thirty Bench Cabernet Franc 2016 ($75): Deep ruby colour, cedary, pencil lead, black currant nose with oak spice notes; medium-bodied, sweet fruit with well-integrated oak and a firm tannic finish. (90)
Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($50.20): Deep ruby colour, cedary, cigar box nose of plum and blackcurrant; medium-bodied, dry, savoury-sweet plum and blackcurrant flavours with firm but ripe tannins. (91)
Thirty Bench Benchmark Red 2016 ($85): (36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc): Deep ruby colour; cedary, cigar box nose of blackcurrant and plum backed by oak spice; medium-bodied, spicy, black fruit flavours with well-integrated oak. Needs 3–4 years. (91–93)
Thirty Bench winemaker Emma Garner
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