Laurel Glen and Loxton

Two very lovely wineries on a very lovely (if slightly chilly) day in Glen Ellen.

So, Laurel Glen now has a nice tasting room right in the heart of Glen Ellen Village. Quite pleasant spot!

The 2011 Laurel Glen is made under the new German regime. It was quite nice, with a savory note that bodes a nice potential! Definitely some fruit, (especially given that it is a 2011), but not goopy at all.

The 2005 (old regime) was in a lovely maturing phase that was delicious! Some slight funk, still plenty of fruit but with a nice earthy character. Delicious stuff.

The Cabernet Sauvignon rose was salmon colored and deliciously savory and minerally!

JUST up the road a bit is Australian iconclast Chris Loxton. These could be IPOB wines, imho. I have always enjoyed his take on Zinfandel, which remains fruity but has lovely acids (yes!), some earthyness and black pepper notes that are quite nice. But the stunner was his 2012 syrah blended from three cooler vineyard sites. Lovely Syrah meaty notes, black plum, high toned floral character as well. No alcohol burn. Lovely low key smaller winery right off the beaten path. I really like the LOXTON wines quite a bit!

JUST up the road a bit is Australian iconclast Chris Loxton. These could be IPOB wines, imho. I have always enjoyed his take on Zinfandel, which remains fruity but has lovely acids (yes!), some earthyness and black pepper notes that are quite nice. But the stunner was his 2012 syrah blended from three cooler vineyard sites. Lovely Syrah meaty notes, black plum, high toned floral character as well. No alcohol burn. Lovely low key smaller winery right off the beaten path. I really like the LOXTON wines quite a bit!

Yup, Brian.....I've always liked ChrisLoxton's Syrahs ever since he started showing them at HdR yrs ago. Restrained & elegant.
He doesn't seem to get a lot of buzz...perhaps because he talks funny!!
Tom

I don't need buzz about Loxton. Been buying them from when he first broke away from Wellington. And yes, he does talk Ozzie.

I don't need buzz about Loxton. Been buying them from when he first broke away from Wellington. And yes, he does talk Ozzie.

How are the Wellington wines, John? I was bicycling, so limiting my intake and didn't stop..

Odd that he would set up shop literally next door to his old employer!

I have always really liked Loxton. I need to kill some of my lesser clubs (seriously, seriously need to cull anyway) and pick him up! Maybe a four to one ratio (kill to pick up) can be JUSTIFIED!

Wellington wines are Ok, Brian, not particularly outstanding, but you'll sometimes find a wine you like at a good price.
I never learned the whole story about how Chris ended up next door. I think it was a "who knows whom" kind of thing, but that's a surmise on my part.
Culling clubs is really hard to do. Mostly you just have to hit them hard over the head.