The 2018 edition of the Halliday Wine Companion has been released and Steve Wiblin’s Erin Eyes is one again listed as a 5 Red Star Winery!
Erin Eyes 2016 Pride of Erin Single Vineyard Reserve Clare Valley Riesling – 95 PointsThe single vineyard in question is in Penwortham. This adds another level of flavour to its Emerald Isle sibling, although the actual characters are similar. A delicious riesling to be sure, to be sure, but it’s a question of swings and roundabouts.
Erin Eyes 2016 Emerald Isle Watervale Riesling – 95 PointsBright straw-green; gloriously fresh and pure, lime and lemon joined by a touch of Granny Smith apple and, more importantly, crisp acidity on the long, perfectly balanced breezy finish.
Erin Eyes 2015 Blarney Stone Clare Valley Shiraz – 89 Points
Finely detailed tannins assuage a phalanx of dark fruit flavours, coffee grind oak and some barbecued meat. Corpulent, with a lift of bitter chocolate on the finish. This will please many.
Erin Eyes 2015 Celtic Heritage Clare Valley Cabernet Shiraz – 92 Points
This is a typically Aussie blend of 51% cabernet with 49% shiraz. Corpulence meets a degree of finesse, manifest in finely hewn grape tannins and sensitive oak handling, serving to corral the wave of powerful fruit flavours into a moreish whole.
Erin Eyes 2015 Gallic Connection Clare Valley Cabernet Malbec – 90 Points
75% cabernet sauvignon and 25% malbec, this is a large-framed wine resoundingly stamped with the Clare’s minty riff. Bitter chocolate, black cherry, currant, sage and cedar are towed along by a trickle of acidly through the wine’s dense mid-drift, all framed nicely by oak supports.
Erin Eyes 2015 Ballycapple Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 Points
Mint, cassis, bouquet garni and potpourri of verdant herbs give a menthol lift to the dark fruited soul of this full-bodied cabernet. Oak supports keep the beast at bay, taming the wine’s inherent richness.
Erin Eyes 2014 Clare Valley Sangiovese – 95 Points
Bright, clear crimson-garnet; a delicious cherry-filled wine with a floral bouquet and a supple, lively and long palate. The handling of sangiovese’s tannins is perfect. Scores for its hedonistic qualities.