Granite Hills

About the Winery
Granite Hills, along with Virgin Hills, can rightly be considered the founding vineyard of the region. A very solid reputation has been sourced on old vine (well, 30 years+!) shiraz and riesling and my tasting suggest one which is well deserved. Indeed the riesling has few peers in Victoria, apart from Crawford River in Henty, and represents incredible value.

Other varieties have struggled in my recent tastings and in a number of cases the wines have been downright disappointing. Still, a regional favourite and one that deserves your interest.

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Nov 2010)
Seems to have fallen foul of heavy over cooked and over-ripe fruit. The varnishy nose makes this very obvious although could be hints of VA as well. The palate is much cleaner than the nose suggests although the heavy characterless fruit remains. Some aniseed and spice to finish. Lacks any varietal trait and actually proves that over-ripe cab is far worse than over-ripe shiraz. That said, can't hurt to keep for a couple of years.

2004 Shiraz (Aug 2010)
A relative bargain at $38 at the Pig and Whistle pub in Trentham. Looks in good nick at 6 years of age. Plenty of fruit and depth, suggesting there were no issues with the growing season. There's a layer of smoke and prhaps a reductive character that I can't quite ignore however this may have blown off had I had the chance to decant. Good mediumed bodied build. Nothing wrong with this but I just can't get excited.

2006 Pinot Noir (Apr 2010)
Something went wrong here. Smells and tastes every bit it's 15% and in fact could well be higher. I've seen plenty of overcooked porty fruits in shiraz (and barely palatable) but this is completely inappropriate in pinot. This is so off the mark it's hard to see how pinot from this region can hit this level of ripeness. Stewed rhubarb fruits finish hard and hot. (89 views)

2008 Riesling (Mar 2010) - Recommended
Still one of the great rieslings of Victoria and very good buying at $21. Has shed any aggressive primary fruit at 2 years old, instead showing quote settled (even a touch muted) lime fruits. Still plenty of palate weight given the lime is quite thick in texture, and the undeniably granite mineral note kicks the back palate along. A very rare and faithful showing of Australia terrior. Needs time to rest before looking again (maybe 2013?).

1995 Shiraz (April 2008) - Recommended
Great palate weight for this wine. Very medium climate in style that is very balanced. Great pepper and spice, and seems young. Really quite impressive