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