2008 BOBBY DAZZLER SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE SA

As its comic-like label suggests, this wine is dressed for the funky laneway small bar.

Having read all wine labels I come across, this label was not the most informative and I ended up researching its origin online.

While this wine did not start off well for an amateur-enthusiast like myself, the tasting was taletelling.

1. The nose was filled with ripe berries, liquorice and spice.  McLaren Valean.. TICK.

2. Energetic dark crimson hues was a promising look. TICK.

3. Flavours blended nicely with two layers, first with gentle blackberries entering the palate, followed with chewy confectionary.  This was achieved on a well balanced soft tannin structure and slightly above average alcohol content (14.5%).  TICK.

This wine fused the classic McLaren shiraz grape with modern textures and notes which would marry nicely with small bar foods.  Prove me wrong - but this wine is dressed for the occasion.

7/10 12-10-2012

2008 SEVEN HILL INIGO SHIRAZ CLARE VALLEY

 

Typical clare valley shiraz with deep red hues and a classic peppery shiraz fruit.  Hint of mint and dark chocolate.

Will reward the patient decanter.

6.5/10 9-10-2012

2003 PENFOLDS BIN 128 SHIRAZ COONAWARRA SA

My first ever BIN128 from Penfolds.

Soft floral nose, deep red hues.

After 30min decanting the wine only improved slightly, sharp dark fruits fill the palate over smooth tannins.  Fruit flavours overpowered by liquorice finish.  Not a candidate for the cellar.

4.5/10 6-10-2012

2008 WARRABILLA RESERVE DURIF RUTHERGLEN VIC

Warrabilla simply does not disappoint.  You may recall my earlier post on Parola's limited edition durif, and this reserve vintage is its younger cousin.

Dark plum red hues with about a quarter of the visible residue lining the glass, compared with the limited edition.  Appetising blackcurrant nose.  On the palate there is a shot of ribena sweetness that quickly gives way to refreshing mint tones cooling the mid palate, followed with a delicate liquorice finish that keeps you lingering the next sip.  

Juicy. Succulent. Complex.  Stock up to drink now AND cellar.

8.5/10 1-10-2012

2011 BOR FORRAS HAJOS-BAJA BLAUFRANKISCH

Opaque off-red, smells and tastes of sweet late harvest berries.  Texture is soft and mellow, with a hint of smokiness.  This is a light-bodied, lip-licking juicy red.  Brand new vintage, so there is a good few years at peak enjoyment.

7/10 1-10-2012

2010 ROCKBARE SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE

Deep solid purple hues, sweet luscious blackcurrant nose.

Savoury berries leads the palate followed with concentrated liquorice battering.  Tannins are firm and bold but astringent.  Good length but dominated by liquorice mid to end palate.

5/10 1-10-2012

1986 CRUICKSHANK CALLATOOTA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON VAT 2 NSW

A novelty wine I recently bought for fun.  This is the oldest wine I've ever tasted, or attempted at tasting...

This wine poured and smelled like Chinese herbal ointment, visually it was yellowish-brown with an orange tint.  Cork and cap was well intact with no signs of moisture escaping, shoulder was very high so I was confident this 26 year old liquid was untamed by its container.

Our curiosity drowned on first sip, it must have been our closest step to tasting herbal ointment for the first time...

DECEASED 29-9-2012

2008 MARQUIS  PHILIPS SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE

Beautiful plum bouquets on nose.  This wine was definitely a surprise find in my cellar.

While I am well versed with the classic McLaren Vale shiraz notes, this wine has surpassed my expectations.

The lovely bouquet was followed with sweet berries at the front of the palate, luscious berries was uniquely gloved by a smooth biteful (but not at all astringent) tannin structure.  Balanced flavours through out, with a crisp satisfying finish, a warm reminder of the 16% alcohol content.

7.5/10 24-9-2012

2009 BARWANG CABERNET SAUVIGNON HILLTOPS NSW

Strong juicy blackcurrant nose and attractive silky red hues.  This wine has good structure and well balance flavours, with hints of chocolate and spices and grainy tannins.  A full bodied cab sauv displaying typical cooler climate liquorice that lingers.  Deserves a spot in the cellar, 4+ year of patience.

7/10 21-9-2012

2009 PERTARINGA UNDERCOVER SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE

Youthful, attractive red berries on nose.  Bright crimson red in colour.  On the palate this medium-bodied wine showcases elegant liquorice.  This wine has velvety smooth tannins typical of McLaren Vale shiraz.

6/10 16-9-2012

2010 PIRATHON SHIRAZ BAROSSA VALLEY SA

Youthful purple in color with Fruity Black currants on the nose.  Savory, bitter fruits over length of entire palate.  Doubt this will improve with age.

4/10 9-9-2012

2001 TWO HANDS BRAVE FACES SHIRAZ GRENACHE BAROSSA VALLEY SA

Beautiful floral nose. Pale brick red with lots of weathered residue.  Extremely savory on entry with a stern bitter after taste.  I suspect the original flavours are overwhelmed and burnt by the alcohol.

3/10 9-9-2012

1996 WYNDHAM ESTATE BIN 444 CABERNET SAUVIGNON HUNTER VALLEY NSW

Unlikely candidate for cellaring, but this old stranger resurfaced at a friend's house party.

Once aired and as expected, this wine was brick red with a pale and rusty appearance.  On the nose, the floral bouquet was lush and typical of Hunter Valley cabernets.  While the wine itself was not born for complex development and is now light-bodied, oak and fruit flavours are balanced, with red berries positioning itself in the driver seat, riding on perfectly aged, mellow tannins.

A quaffer that withstood the test of time.

7/10 1-9-2012

2008 WINDOWRIE "THE MILL" MAGNUM MERLOT CENTRAL RANGES NSW

Fresh red strawberries on nose, chocolate and dark berries on entry delivered on spicy tannins.  This wine is medium bodied but full flavoured with berries lingering the length of entire palate.  Average wine but I'd recommend further cellaring for potential development.

6.5/10 1-9-2012

2010 PENNY'S HILL CRACKING BLACK SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE SA

Young blackberries on nose. Another dark red almost black hues, yet its opaqueness is still evident if you put under direct light.  The texture is rick and creamy, with plenty of liquorice and spice on the palate.   Unfortunately the flavours fall short of its long oaky finish. Given the 2009 did so well, I am willing to give this wine benefit of doubt for a 2nd tasting in 2014.

5.5/10 26-8-2012

1994 YALUMBA "OCTAVIUS" SHIRAZ BAROSSA SA

Deep plum colours revealing only a slight tint of red border on the glass.  Floral and leathery bouquets fill the nose, but this quickly loosened into luscious berry fruits.

On the palate this wine is extremely fruity and full-bodied, guided by sweet briary berries followed with a curtain-closing rich liquorice finish.  Tannins are firm but silky smooth through maturation.

Served best with...   the perfect shiraz glass is all you'd need!

9/10 25-8-2012

2009 HEARTLAND SHIRAZ LIMESTONE COAST SA

Bright blackcurrant in colour.   The nose is almost savoury, coating the red berries like glazing on the palate. Tannins are soft and the berries flavours linger entire length.  This is a warm fruity red that I would not recommend with red meats due to its strong savoury characters.  Drink now, don't wait.

6/10 23-8-2012

2005 GOLDEN GRAPE ESTATE "RED DIAMOND" GRENACHE SHIRAZ MOURVEDERE VIC

A red blend that has matured well.  Red berries on nose.  This is a busty full-bodied red with at least three level of flavours, fruits bursting from the word 'GO'.  Slightly peppery with juicy berries, backed with enough sweetness to wrap up the three course palate banquet.  This wine is peaking, but for those who enjoy more refined complex flavours, you've got a couple of years to cellar.

7/10 22-8-2012

 

2011 GOLDEN GRAPE ESTATE "PARLIAMENT OF OWLS" CABERNET MERLOT YENDA NSW

This South Eastern Australian cabernet merlot has unlike other reds in the region. Deep purple, semi-opaque juice is precisely described on the back label.  My only addition is the soft, sweet fruity nose which matches this easy drinking, low-alcohol youngster with above average sugar levels.  Love to try re-taste this in 2-3 years.

6.5/10 22-8-2012

2010 STONEFISH MERLOT MCLAREN VALE SA

Tasted this at Thommo's Bar & Grill.  Tasted as good as it looked.

Pale, semi opaque, dark purple hues. No apparent depth or complexity, nothing less than an easy drinking quaffer. Simplistic table wine.

4/10 19-8-2012

2007 GLENGUIN ESTATE IRONBARK TANNAT HUNTER VALLEY NSW

This was found on the winelist of Cafe DOV Potts Point.  Deep ruby colour signifies the thick grape skin.  Typical floral nose and full bodied by Hunter Valley standards. Elegant fruits infused with thin blanket of smokey oak, delivered on soft smooth tannins.  

This is ready to drink. Take note of the changes to flavour as this wine oxidises...

This is my first tannat, for those unfamiliar:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannat

8/10 16-8-2012

2001 MONTCHENOT RED CABERNET SAUV/ MERLOT / MALBEC MAIPU MENDOZA ARGENTINA

Discovered this little beauty on the wine list of Porteno, an Argentinian restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney.  For those who care to read my blog, I am bending the rules a little here as this is not an Australian red.

Beautiful floral nose, the wine looks clean and crisp, firm red gloss evenly throughout the bottle.  This wine has a light bodied and glides down palate with ease.  Tannin structure is refined and arguably equally refined as its 11 year old Australian WA cab merlot cousins.  Very well balanced wine.

8.5/10 13-8-2012

2005 PANKHURST WINES CABERNET MERLOT CANBERRA DISTRICT ACT

Beautiful nose of blackcurrants and red berries.  Semi opaque crimson red hues, typical of cooler climate reds.  This cab merlot of 7 years displays a soft, relaxed tannin structure.  On the palate, the nose presented an unwanted acidity which overshadowed the original plummy, red current tones.  

5/10 11-8-2012

2007 HAHNDORF HILL WINERY SHIRAZ ADELAIDE HILLS SA

My first wine from Adelaide Hills and was surprised this was a cool-climate wine region.  I find this wine to be quite similar to other cool climate shirazs I've tasted from Central Victorian regions.  The HHW displays impenetrable red hues with semi-ripe red berries on nose.  Refined soft tannins delivering a fruity glass with obvious liquorice and mocha notes.

6.5/10 29-7-2012

1991 WYNNS ESTATE JOHN RIDDOCH LIMITED RELEASE CABERNET SAUVIGNON COONAWARRA

This is one of the few mature aged wines that survived the test of time.  When we noticed signed of redness on the top of the cork, we feared this bottle suffered from cork taint, the neck was still high and we were quickly proven wrong.

The colour was a bright solid red. Nose was poised and sharp with fresh aromas of cedar and dark cherries.   This wine has aged wonderfully, undisputedly a flagship wine worthy of commemorating its estate founder, John Riddoch.

9/10 28-7-2012

1994 PENFOLDS 389 CABERNET SHIRAZ SA

Having tasted the 1998 vintage, I was not particularly looking forward to this 389.  I was wrong.

While this vintage displayed similarly soft (if not weak) bouquet, it is a better marriage of Cabernet and Shiraz than its successive 1998 vintage.  It captures a more refined balance of berries and vanillin spices.  Although the sharp flavours have corroded with age, the perfect tannin structure has evolved into a velvety light-medium bodied classic wine with a clean Penfolds finish.  Don't forget to decant!

8/10 22-7-2012

1996 REDMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON COONAWARRA SA (LIMITED EDITION MAGNUM)

Decanted this hidden treasure for 15min prior to serving.  Smokey brie on nose and brick red in colour.  On first taste this wine displayed fresh fruity and plum flavours on a medium-bodied palate, flavours lingers three-quarter length.    Finishes on a slightly acidic note.

6/10 22-7-2012