by Ray Johnson | Dec 13, 2010 | Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Syrah
Brokenwood, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Shiraz 2007 The nose of this wine combines the sweetness of a caramel dessert and the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth it is quite supple, a little earthy and tasting of tangy cherries. The acidity is a nice element and...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 27, 2010 | Australia, Barossa, South Australia, Syrah
Thorn-Clarke, Barossa, Shotfire, Shiraz 2008 This is oak city, smelling of freshly split logs and coconut. On the palate the theme continues, quite rich, with ripe tannins and a nice sense of acidity. The grapes are sourced from the family’s Kabiningie Vineyard on...
by Ray Johnson | May 12, 2009 | Australia, Barossa, Grenache, South Australia
Yalumba, Barossa, Bush Vine, Grenache 2007 The nose features red fruit, fresh and dried with herbs and brambles. In the mouth the wine is soft, fruity and very light-bodied. The vines that produced this wine are 30 to 70 years old. Produced in Angaston 14.5% $11.99 at...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2007 | Australia, Barossa, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, South Australia, White Dessert
Margan Hunter Valley Botrytis Semillon 2005 This wines has tropical fruit and the volatility that accompanies many botrytis wines. The palate is very thick and the acidity seems shy though the stats say otherwise at 10 g/L. RS 12.7%, alcohol 10.5% $25 (375ml) at...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2007 | Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Syrah
This flight follows-up on last week’s. We repeat the d’Arenberg Dead Arm (see previous notes) with two other heavy weights in the Shiraz kingdom. Clarendon Hills Clarendon Liandra Vineyard Syrah 2002 This wine sports an outlandish amount of fruit, mixing...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2007 | Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Grenache, Riesling, Rosé, South Australia
Henschke Eden Valley Julius Riesling 2006 Full-on aromas of lime are enhanced by high acidity in the mouth and long-lasting flavor. Of course the fame for Henschke is with their red wines based on Shiraz. What delighted me most when I visited, however, was the care...