New South Wales Food and Wine month is here again, so a quick look at a label that is no stranger to vinonotebook.com, Stockman’s Ridge from Orange and Bathurst. These 2 wines are from their Bathurst plantings therefore labelled as Central Ranges.

Stockman’s Ridge Rider Series Savagnin, Central Ranges, 2013

According to the press release, this picked up a gold medal at the 2014 Rutherglen Wine Show.

Smells a bit cheesy, plasticky (kraft cheese sticks) followed by green fruit and dried pineapple pieces. Much better on the palate, but still not incredibly attractive. Mushy green melon, tart acid and then sour grapefruit. There’s an interesting textural element deriving from the high (for ‘aromatic white’) alcohol.

I’m a bit confused with this one as I’ve tasted much better Savagnins and much better from from Stockman’s.

RRP: $23

Alc: 13.9%

Stockman’s Ridge Rider Series Shiraz, Central Ranges, 2012

The rotundone levels from this vineyard must be bloody high, because the white pepper absolutely jumps out of glass.

Massive hit of white pepper, soft stewing red fruits and dessert rhubarb, smoky and a little stalky. Just medium bodied with flavours of sweet raspberry coulis and easter egg chocolate. A little sappy/stalky herbaceous note and plenty of that pepper, finishing easy with fine tannins.

RRP: $23

Alc: 13.1%

Both wines samples courtesy of Stockman’s Ridge and Define Wine