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

1998 PENFOLDS 389 CABERNET SHIRAZ SA

Floral but weak nose, light sweet vanilla on entry.  Unfortunately this wine is past its peak, loss of fruit flavours but not to worry we finished it anyway!

5/10 14-7-2012

2009 BROKENWOOD MISTRESS BLOCK VINEYARD SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY

Semi opaque glowing red liquid. Fresh bouquet on nose, sweet red berries delivered on an oaky, subtle smokey flavours.  Light, soft tannins. Berries linger long afterwards.  Drink now.

6/10 14-7-2012

2010 PEPPERJACK CABERNET SAUVIGNON BAROSSA SA

This is a dry red offered by Pepperjack, lacks fruitiness, flat sloppy tannin structure with no depth.  Doesn't do Barossa Cabs any justice really.

2/10 14-7-2012

1998 LINDEMANS PYRUS CAB SAUV/ MERLOT/ CAB FRANC COONAWARRA

Decanted for 30mins, this wine boasts strong floral aromas, on the palate  you'll find sweet ripe blackcurrants served on warm, soft tannins.  Decent length with clean finish.  Peppery notes become apparent 60min+.  Leaves you with that fuzzy warmness that classic Coonawarra vintage cabs have to offer.

8/10 13-7-2012

1996 PENFOLDS 407 CABERNET SAUVIGNON MAGILL SA

Ahhh Penfolds.  I suspected this was an overdue celebrity when this solid brown liquid filled the glass. Just to be sure, we decanted this for roughly 30minutes prior to tasting.  VERY plummy on the nose and EXTREMELY plummy on first sip.  Tannin structure has evolved perfectly, delivering rich, flavours like a plum cruiser entering the palate harbour.  There's just enough alcohol to leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling, as if waving the cruiser goodbye.  Loved every drop of it, again the rhetoric,  have we missed its prime?  8.5/10 8-7-2012

2009 WARRABILLA LIMITED RELEASE PAROLA'S DURIF RUTHERGLEN VIC

Deeeeep solid purple, clings to glass like no other.  Delicate nose with dark plums and subtle toasty corn.  Powerful, almost forceful! Concentrated fruits delivered by punching tannins and subtle herbal finishing.  Not for the faint hearted, leaves your palate dry with grapeskin coating your tongue.  Definitely cellaring this to mature for years to come.

9/10 2-7-2012

2006 STONEHURST SHIRAZ CEDAR CREEK

Slightly floral, young red berries on the nose.  This shiraz is also past its used-by date.  Need 'best before' dates for my cooler region collections!

3/10 2-7-2012

1997 CHAPEL HILL SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE

Semi-opaque deep brick red hues, oak and pepper on the nose.  Delicate, refined tannins with a subtle hint of chocolate. Although past its peak, still a great McLaren Vale vintage.

8/10 2-7-2012