»

March 2010

WBM Top 100 Magazine

2009 Semillon, 92 Points. Super low in alcohol (9.8%) in this biodnamially farmed Hunter Semillon – it shows fresh lemon grass aromas and impressive concerntration. The texture is a real treat, elegant and gently smooth, with lemon barley flavour and bright acid crunch. 

February 2010

WineState Magazine

2009 Semillon, 3 1/2 Stars. Delicate style with great depth of fruit. Still very young with piercing lemon fruit acidity. A keeper.

January 2010

James Halliday – online

2009 Semillon (4 ½ glasses) Pale straw; a spotlessly clean, but as yet somewhat closed, bouquet; the wine springs into life on the palate, incisively fresh and crisp, the early picking showing the other face of an undoubtedly excellent vintage. Could well surprise given several years in bottle. Screwcap. 9.8% alc. Rating 92 Drink 2016 

2009 Verdelho (4 glasses) Very tangy and zesty, with unusually pronounced acidity; a case to be made for treating it as a young semillon, and seeing what emerges in five years. Screwcap. 12.5% alc. Rating 89 Drink 2014

December 2009

Drinks Trade Magazine – Tasting Panel

2008 Chardonnay. Lisa: Tight and elegant, with refreshing acid. Some subtle oak. Scott: Subtle slatey notes with big flavour and a very long finish. Tom: Notes of pineapple and mandarin with a floral nose. Very easy on the palate with well-integrated oak and persistant length.

November 2009

Sydney Morning Herald – Good Living – Huon Hooke Top 50 Summer Wines

Krinklewood Francesca Rosé, Hunter Valley 2009. Blended from biodynamic mourvedre, tempranillo and shiraz grapes, this wine has a shy dark-berry aroma of ripe fruit, leading into a fuller weighted palate that is pleasingly dry and carries some tannin grip. Not delicate but has flavour and presence aplenty. Food; Duck roll-ups.

November 2009

Winsor Dobbin – Wine Blog.

Krinklewood is a biodynamic vineyard on the Hunter fringes, outside Broke, that produces a range of oustanding wines at realistic prices. This is a case in point; a really lovely wine for summer with just 9.8% alcohol. You’ll find citrus and tropical fruit flavours and crunchy acidity – drinking this dry and refreshing little beauty is just like biting into a fresh green apple.

November 2009

The Age – Epicure – Jeni Port

2009 Francesca Rosé. Both Biodynamic and a Rosé, this will score big ticks with many wine drinkers. It’s also one tasty rosé to boot. The wine is a blend of mourvedre, tempranillo and shiraz. With those grapes involved you might expect a rough rustic taste. Nothing could be further from the truth. This rosé is full of charm and discreet, subtle berry flavours encased in pretty blushing pink. It’s dry and addictive. Serve well chilled, it can take it.

October 2009

National Liquor News

2009 Blanc de Blanc. Krinklewood’s inaugural Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Chardonnay is handcrafted from selected parcels of Chardonnay fruit. It is made using the traditional charmat method, whereby the fruit character is retained and displayed to its best advantage. This has produced a classic sparkling Chardonnay with characters of lemon and stone fruit and a long, elegant palate driven by minerality and natural acidity.

Annual

2010 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide

2009 Krinklewood Semillon. Some grassy and yeasty notes on the nose of this young, bright Semillon – quite distinctive. The palate texture is really captivating; there’s a smooth, ethereal side to the wine with bright acid supporting lemon barley flavours through the finish Balanced and approachable. 92points. Also listed in Top Value White Wine $25 and under – Semillon.

2007 Krinklewood Chardonnay. A flinty and well-made modern Hunter chardonnay that has a real smooth style about it. Plenty of bright stone fruit and melon notes with floral notes too; oak is well under wraps. Through to the palate and there’s a concise citrus fruit flavour with gentle nectarine and a flash of smooth, toasty oak. Nice balance and harmony to cap it off. 92points.

August 2009

National Liquor News – Tasting Panel

2009 Francesca Rose. Top Rose in tasting. Awarded (highest) 3 Stars. A vibrant candied pink in colour, this wine offers fragrant, fresh berry notes. Good acid integration and very fine tannins add structure to the palate, while the finish has pleasing balance and length.

August 2009

Sunday Telegraph – James Halliday Top 100 NSW Wines

2008 Lucia Dessert Wine. 11.5%Alc. As the name makes obvious, the 20ha of estate vineyards are certified biodynamic, with Rod Windrim shortlisted as the Viticulturist of the year 2009. Bright green-gold; made from botrytised chardonnay, with flavours of peach and cumquat balanced by zesty acidity; excellent length and balance. Region; Lower Hunter. Drink now to 2012.

July 2009

Newcastle Herald Weekender – John Lewis

2009 Verdelho, Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard. Rod Windrim produces some of the Hunter’s best Verdelho whites at his biodynamic 20-hectare Krinklewood vineyard in Wollombi Road, Broke, and this one is well up to scratch. It is green-tinged light gold and has pineapple and jasmine scents. Fresh citrus flavour features on the front of the palate and mixed peel, honey and spice nuances join in on the middle palate. Flinty acid shows at the finish.

Annual

The Big Red Wine Book 2010 - Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh

The quality of Krinklewood wines has leapt forward in recent times, coinciding with its move to biodynamics. 2006 Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard Shiraz. Ripperoony. It’s a medium-bodied red of very high quality – the tannins are a bit young and rw, but they’re fine, grainy and ripe and complement the easy, plummy, spicy fruit flavours delightfully. It’s classic regional shiraz with a modern twist. Drink 2009-2017. 93/100.

April/May 2009

Gourmet Traveller Wine – Peter Bourne / Huon Hooke

2009 Krinklewood Semillon had all round support (91pts). Otton summed up for us. “I loved the subtle development creeping in,” she siad. “Very fine and delicate in style. Shy and pure, but with a touch f honey and almond – like nougat. Youthful, mineral acidity.” I found the aromatic lift very attractive and almost riesling-like. It’s ageing beautifully and has many years in it yet. The 2008 Krinklewood Semilln is similarly refined, Hooke finding it “taut, with lively high acidity. Excellent concentration, power and length, with slight buttery and cashew characters hinting at development.” It will age well.

March 2009

G Magazine – Max Allen

2008 Wild White, Krinklewood Vineyard. I have a confession to make. I am not, on the whole, a huge fan of the Verdelho grape. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this certified biodynamic one is absolutely delicious: vibrant, lemon-pithy flavours, a touch of well blanced grapey sweetness and a clean refreshing finish. A great achievement, considering 2008 was one of the Hunters wettest, most difficult vintages. Cute label too.

February 2009

LiquorWatch Magazine

Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard has released two 100% biodynamic white wines; the 2007 Chardonnay and the 2008 Wild White. The Chardonnay is pale straw in colour and has citrus and stone fruit aromas. The Wild White is made from Verdelho, a zesty wine that displays tropical fruit on the nose an fresh passionfruit on the palate. Grapefruit and lme characters keen the wine fresh and lively giving it a clean, crisp finish.

Annual

2009 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide, Nick Stock.

2007 KRINKLEWOOD SEMILLON. Really rich aromas here or Hunter Semillon, heading into tropical territory, almost guava and passionfruit – mouth watering stuff. The palate carries the same passionfruit flavour, some lime and lemon too, rich and zesty, full of flavoursome appeal, finishing dry and juicy. 93/100. 4 1/2 Stars. 10.2 % Alcohol. Drink Now. Screwcap.

2007 KRINKLEWOOD VERDELHO. One of the best examples around: attractive fine fragrant tropical fruit aromas, some stone fruits too, really lifted, appealing and restrained; direct and varietal. Lovely rolling texture and medium-weight, balanced and even, tropical fruits from top to toe, a crisp finish. 91/100. 4 Stars. 13.5% Alcohol. Drink Now. Screwcap.

2007 KRINKLEWOOD WILD WHITE. A commercial off-dry white (mostly verdelho with a touch of charonnay), made with an artisans touch! Sweet tropical fruit aromas, guava, some stone fruits too. Bright Zesty passionfruit flavour, smooth texture and plenty of juicy sweet fruit that lingers on balancing acidity. 90 points. 4 Stars. 13.5% Alcohol. Drink Now. Screwcap.

2007 KRINKLEWOOD FRANCESCA ROSE. This light coloured mourvedre rose is a dead ringer for a southern French seaside rose wines of Bandol and Cassis. Berry fruit aromas, subtle spices and fresh acid crunch are folled up in smoothly balanced texture. Serve well chilled and drink it like a white with bouillbaisse.

November 2008

The Age Epicure, Jeni Port.

In the eye of the beholder; The language of the Aussie Label. HIP YOUNG THING; WILD WHITE 2008. “Grab it by the horns and enjoy”..this Hunter Valley verdelho from biodynamic winemaker Krinklewood doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s eyeing the sub-25-year-olds where packaging is so important and its modern look and cute cover beasty should do the trick.

November 2008

WHO Magazine, Robin Powell.

KRINKLEWOOD WILD WHITE 2008. This family owned winery is both dynamic and biodynamic. The Wild White is all verdelhot this year. It’s deliciously fragrant, with a lovely soft acid, and if you uually drink only sav blanc, Wild Whites mad bull could be just the thing to lure you to unfamiliar pastures.

September 2008

Selector Magazine.

KRINKLEWOOD 2007 CHARDONNAY. Biodynamic’s characteristic ‘life’ and ‘energy’ were detected in this Hunter Valley wine. You be the judge of that, but what you will discover is a soft, creamy texture with bold citrus flavours. The pristine fruit is balanced by spicy oak.

Annual

James Halliday 2009 Australian Wine Companion.

A boutique family-owned biodynamic vineyard, Krinklewood produces 100% estate-grown wines reflecting the terroir of the Broke-Fordwich area of the Hunter Valley. The cellar door is set amongst Provencal-style gardens that overlook the vineyard, with the Wollombi Brook and Brokenback range providing a spectacular backdrop.

4 1/2 GLASSES: 2006 Chardonnay: Tight and focussed, with cashew and citrus fruit; has toast and generosity on the finish; the savoury element works very well. RATING 93. TO 2013.

4 1/2 GLASSES: 2006 Shiraz: Bright colour; plenty of red fruits, with good concentration and medium bodied palate weight on the finish; vibrant and lively, with good acidity. RATING 91. To 2018.

4 1/2 GLASSES: 2004 CHARDONNAY: Big and rich with ripe Hunter Fruit; big flavour and dried figs on the toasty finish; retains freshness. RATING 90. To 2012.

July 2008

Gourmet Traveller Wine.

2006 KRINKLEWOOD CHARDONNAY. 4 STARS. A surprising wine from this rapidly rising biodynamic vineyard. Smokey, toasty barrel and lees complexities, a rich, smooth, deeply flavoured palate and a soft round shape in the mouth. It is slightly forward and has some smokey, straw-like regional cues. Good length and balance.

June 2008

Gourmet Traveller Wine, Peter Bourne.

2007 KRINKLEWOOD SEMILLON, HUNTER VALLEY. Semillon is the star of the Krinklewood stable, with its 2007 already notching up a GOLD at the 2007 Royal Melbourne Wine Show and Top White at the Organic Wine Show. It’s a typical pale white gold in colour with subtle aromas of cut grass, lemon and fresh garden herbs. Clean, lean and crisp. Pass the Port Stephens Oysters please.

June 2008

The Sunday Telegraph, John Fordham.

KRINKLEWOOD 2006 Chardonnay. The Hunter Valley’s produced some exceptional Chardonnay’s from this vintage and this is up there with the best. Lovely creamy flavours hit the spot.

May 2008

Wine Selector Magazine

KRINKLEWOOD 2007 VERDELHO. Krinklewood make arguably the Hunter’s best example of Verdelho and the 2007 is an absolute stunner! Sparkling bright lemon in colour, it has beautiful varietal nose of mango and passionfruit aromas with hints of banana and mint. The seamless palate is tight, with great complexities and acid length.

May 2008

Vogue Entertaining and Travel. Greg Duncan Powell.

KRINKLEWOOD 2006 Shiraz. This is the best Shiraz so far from this biodynamic Vineyard. It’s not gigantic in proportions, but it’s sufficiently fleshy to satisfy and has that unique Hunter sweet-and-sour shiraz flavour. It’s a particularly good friend to beef.

May 2008

SMH Good Living. Huon Hooke.

TOP AUSSIE WHITE Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard 2006 Chardonnay. This Hunter vineyard has been kicking a lot of goals. Toasty, smokey and fairly oak-marked bouquet; rich, smooth and deep palate. A touch forward and oak driven but with good flavour and a lingering, soft finish. Drink: now to 3 years. 91/100.

April 2008

SMH Good Living. Huon Hooke.

TOP AUSSIE RED. Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard 2006 Shiraz. The best red yet from this Hunter Vineyard. A beauty, with spices, red fruits and elegant balance, good concerntration but tight, fleshy, intense and focussed, finishing long in the mouth. Benchmark Hunter Shiraz and an ideal food wine. Drink now to 12 years. 91/100. Food; Roast lamb fillets.

April 2008

Newcastle Herald, John Lewis.

KRINLEWOOD 2005 Wild Red. This cheery, zingy biodynamic vineyard shiraz would be good to quaff with pepperoni and eggplant pizza, spaghetti carbonara or shish kebabs. It is brick red and has a sweet cherry nose. Juicy mulberry flavour shows on the front of the palate and licorce, spearmint and light spicy oak combine on the middle palate. Soft flinty tannins come through at the finish. Ageing: drink now.

KRINKLEWOOD 2006 Biodynamic Vineyard Chardonnay. I THINK this is a Bottler! It shines in the glass with green-tinged, light gold hues and has a melon and haselnut scents. Expressive nectarine flavour features on the front of the palate and spice, mixed peel and shortbread fruit characters integrate with cashew-like oak on the middle palate. Smooth lemony acid shows at the finish. Ageing: four years.

March 2008

WineState Magazine.

KRINKLEWOOD BIODYNAMIC VINEYARD 2006 CHARDONNAY. 4 STARS. Rich, lifted and toasty lemon nose. Palate full and flavoursome, complex and seductive, with sweet melon fruit and creamy cashew oak.

4 March 2008

SMH Good Living. Huon Hooke.

A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE – CELLAR DOORS. Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard, 2007 Semillon. The Windrim family of Broke-Fordwich are making their mark thanks to excellent fruit off their19-hectare biodynamic vineyard and top level winemaking by consultant Jim Chatto. The 2007 Krinklewood Semillon won a Gold Medal in the 2007 Melbourne Royal Show and Top White at the 2007 Organic Wine Show. It impressed with its great depth of ripe citrus-like fruit, freshness, vitality, generousity of flavours and softness – all delivered with just 10.2 per cent alcohol.

February 2008

Australian Gourmet Traveller, Max Allen.

BARGAIN. 2007 Krinklewood Wild White, Hunter Valley. Krinklewood’s biodynamically grown wines get better with each vintage. This second label white – mostly Verdelho with a splash of Chardonnay – offers ripe, yellow, tropical fruit and savoury richness. Drink with Fish and Chips.

February 2008

Sun Herald, Winsor Dobbin.

Krinklewood 2007 Semillon: Krinklewood in the backblocks of the Hunter Valley ourside Broke-Fordwich, is making a range of outstanding Biodynamic wines. The Shiraz and Verdelho are very good but this is even better – crisp and dry with citrus and tropical fruit flavours. It’s drinking wonderfully well in its youth and would be terrific with seafood dishes.

February 2008

LiquorWatch Magazine

Krinklewood Vineyard has recently become certified biodynamic. The 2007 Semillon and 2007 Verdelho are a testament to the biodynamic path Krinklewood has taken. The Verdelho has lemon citrus flavours with balanced acidity and tight, full palate. The Semillon won Best White at the 2007 Organic Wine Show and exemplifies the citrus, tropical driven style from Broke-Fordwich.

February 2008

Wine Business Magazine Top 100

Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard 07 Semillon. Tyson Stelzer: “This is a great quaffing-style Semillon which would love a plate of fresh prawns. Its sour lemon juice flavours and seamless palate are filled out wih hints of wood spice and lanolin, culminating in a finish that lingers long.”

February 2008

Winorama, Gary Walsh:

2007 Wild White, “Some of the best packaging I have ever seen on these Krinklewood wines – looking at this one made me chuckle and smile. Wild White is the entry level offering from this Biodynamic vineyard and is a blend of 88% Verdelho and 12% Chardonnay. Smells like a pack of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, musk sticks and spice. Bold and beautiful. On the palate full, fat and slightly slippery with its lightly glycerol texture and soft but balanced acidity. It has flavours of chunky pineapple, citrus, musk and spice and drinks like a champion. Good finish too. It’s not a serious wine but it is quality. More importantly it’s also fun fun fun.Rated : 90 Points”

January 2008

Good Living, Huon Hooke:

“Biodynamics is gradually becoming significant in Australian viticulture. Wine people are usually caring, often passionate about nature, land and the environment, so its no surprise that grape growers are at the more BD-inclined end of agriculture. They reckon it’s better for soil health, and as winemaker Jim Chatto says, healthy soil produces good grapes.

Rod Windrim of Hunter Valley vineyard Krinklewood is one BD convert who’s convinced the quality of his grapes and wine has risen. Chatto, his winemaking consultant, is also keenly interested. “There’s been a massive increase in the quality of Rods grapes in the last couple of years” says Chatto. Dry seasons, vine age, and the experience of the grape grower must also be factors. But it’s not just flavour that’s improved, says Chatto: the acidity and pH balance of the grapes are also better.”

December 2007

Winestate Magazine :

Krinklewood 2007 Semillon. 4 Star. Great colour – shades of green. Appealing grassy aromas with a tropical lift. Lovely combination of flavours. Good drinking now, and has the potential to get better.

Krinklewood 2007 Verdelho. 3 ½ Star. Mildly citric aromas – unusual but appealing, Soft fresh flavoursome palate; quite long with good acid structure.

November 2007

Good Living, Huon Hooke:

“TOP AUSSIE WHITE: Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard Semillon 2007, $20: A regulation, low alcohol (10.2%) unoaked Hunter Semillon, this has great vitality: clean tangy with a long, refined palate. It deserved its Gold medal at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. Drink Now and up to 10+ years. 94/100.

November 2007

G Magazine – Max Allen:

“TOP WHITE WINE: Krinklewood Semillon 2007: Krinklewood is a certified in-conversion biodynamic vineyard in the Broke-Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter. In-conversion wines were not eligible for medals or trophies in the show this year, so although this pristine delicate, pure and classic Hunter Semillon – think biting into a cold Granny Smith – was the top scoring white (gold medal and trophy standard), it came away with a Very Highly Commended award. Krinklewood’s deliciously fruity 07 Verdelho and bone dry 07 Rosé also won accolades.”

October 2007

The Australian Financial Review, Tim White:

“Krinklewood Verdelho 2007 (Broke-Fordwich) Sharp smelling grapefruit and currant, with some muskier old cedar chest smells. Attacks with currant and nectarine and Gruyere-tasting things are attractive and add complexity. A tight, minerally, salty finish. 90/100, $21. This certified biodynamic vineyard is knocking out consistently tasty wines.”

October 2007

The Winning Pro, The New Hunter, Grand Dodd:

“Krinklewood 2007 Semillon; It won’t please the Semillon purists, but Sauvignon blanc lovers will flock to this tropical & passionfruit-scented wine from biodynamic producer Krinklewood”

September 2007

The Weekend Australian Magazine, Max Allen:

“…biodynamic Hunter Valley vineyard Krinklewood was easily the best debut producer in the show, winning medals with its fruity 2007 Verdelho, its gorgeously fine 2007 semillon (this was the top-scoring white of the show) and bone-dry 2007 Rose (see below).

“2007 Krinklewood Francesca Rosé: Made in the Hunter Valley from the mourvedre grape (used in the marvelous dry rosés of Provence), this has just the slightest hint of salmon-pink colour, a restrained scent of rose-hip, and light, crisp – and really dry – intensity in the mouth.” www.krinklewood.com

September 2007

Full Bottle SMH, Greg Duncan Powell:

“Krinklewood Verdelho 2006: Here’s a crisp, biodynamic Verdelho that doesn’t go too far down the tropical track. Flavours and aromas are tight and the alcohol is relatively low. It’s an easy-drinking white for Asian-inspired lunches.”

September 2007

Newcastle Herald Weekender, Wine, John Lewis:

“2007 Francesca Rosé; Straight Mourvedres are fairly rare and that’s what makes the Krinklewood Vineyard 2007 Francesca Rosé particularly interesting. Named after the first Windrim grandchild ‘Francesca’, it is non-cloying and refreshing. It’s salmon-hued and shows scents of musk and boiled lollies. Crisp cherry flavours features on the front palate and spearmint and clove characters chime in on the middle palate. Fresh flinty acid comes through at the finish. It would be great with a salad of smoked trout and linguine.”

Annual

James Halliday 2008 Australian Wine Companion:

A boutique, family-owned biodynamic vineyard, Krinklewood produces 100% estate-grown wines reflecting the terroir of the Broke-Fordwich area of the Hunter Valley. The cellar door is set amongst provincial-style gardens that overlook the vineyard, with the Wollombi Brook and Brokenback range providing a spectacular backdrop.

2006 Semillon: ‘Light straw green; a quiet bouquet, then a massively expressive palate with all forms of citrus, even a touch of sauvignon-blanc-like passionfruit; delicious wine, very good acidity. 94 POINTS

2006 Verdelho: The bouquet is subdued, possibly by the screwcap. Fresh, lively, lemony acidity from the early picking works very well here, and the wine has a future. Cellar to 2010. GOLD MEDAL – Hunter Valley Wine Show 2006. 93 POINTS

2005 Chardonnay: Yellow peach and fig; rich and complex with barrel ferment inputs; doesn’t cloy. 90 POINTS

2005 Dessert Semillon: ….Botrytis sweetness balanced and enhanced by excellent acidity; for immediate enjoyment. Trophy – Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. 93 POINTS

January 2006

Gourmet Traveller Wine, The Great White Hunter, Huon Hooke:

“30 of the Best [Whites]: Krinklewood 06 Semillon; Classic lemon and faint lanolin aromas; soft and fine; generous fruit; very clean lines. Lovely right now.”

January 2006

Gourmet Traveller Wine, Current Release Tasting:

“What current release wines would you put in your cellar to drink a decade from now? Max Allen; “…2006 Krinklewood Semillon…”

Liquor Watch, The Full Wine Enchillada, Kylie Stevenson.

“Krinklewood Vineyard’s Verdehlo and Semillon; These wines are produced from a single, family owned vineyard, grown entirely from using biodynamic practices. The Semillon thrives in the hot climate, producing wine that is both fresh and lively when young, and which ages to produce a complex, elegant and balanced wine. The Verdehlo is both fruit driven and crisp, displaying fresh and intense characteristics…”