Category Archives: McLaren Vale

d’Arenberg Custodian 2009

Posted on April 1, 2012 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Custodian, Grenache 2009 The nose features sweet, lolly-like berry notes that follow through in the mouth. The flavor profile is driven by the fruit, emphasizing the grapes in the vineyard while the texture is quite silky … Continue reading →

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Brokenwood Shiraz 2007

Posted on December 13, 2010 by RJ

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. … Continue reading →

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d’Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2007

Posted on November 14, 2010 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Custodian, Grenache 2007 The ’07 shows an encore to the theme tasted with the ’05 vintage:  juicy warm fruit and earthy notes in a supple package. I would also add a nice touch of tangy acidity … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia | Tagged | 1 Comment

d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2005

Posted on February 8, 2010 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Footbolt, Shiraz 2005 The nose features liquer-like character, a concentration of candied black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some subtle volatility. In the mouth the fruit is in force, the feel is silky and a … Continue reading →

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Pirramimma Shiraz 2005

Posted on November 16, 2009 by RJ

Pirramimma, McLaren Vale, Shiraz 2005 There’s a heavy heft of oak in this wine, from the beginning to the end with a dark chocolate character as well. Winemaker Geoff Johnston GP&B in McLaren Vale 14% $18.79 at Bottle Barn Pirramimma

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d’Arenberg Hermit Crab 2008

Posted on November 9, 2009 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Hermit Crab 2008 The nose features a combo of the herbaceousness that we can find with Marsanne and the overt peaches that we often see with Viognier. The mouth shows us an oily richness overtop of … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Marsanne, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, South Australia, Viognier | 2 Comments

d’Arenberg Dead Arm 2006

Posted on January 20, 2009 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Dead Arm, Shiraz 2006 This wine is dense all around, from the color to the palate. Black fruits combine with hints of eucalyptus. The mouth is taught, just a baby yet the tannins are ripe with … Continue reading →

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5 Bordeaux grapes and 3 continents

Posted on July 10, 2008 by RJ

Clarendon Hills Clarendon Brookman Merlot 2005 Roman Bratasiuk pulls no punches with his opulent wines. This Merlot features ripe fruit and the cigar box characters we often associate with Bordeaux. The texture is oh so plush. P&B in Blewitt Springs … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, Australia, Bordeaux Style Blends, Guenoc Valley, Idaho, Lake County, McLaren Vale, Meritage, Merlot, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, South Australia | Leave a comment

Bubbling Red

Posted on December 14, 2007 by RJ

d’Arenberg Mclaren Vale The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Red Chambourcin Loads of overt fruit mark this a fun quaffer. Grown, produced and bottled in McLaren Vale 14.5% $$17.99 at K&L d’Arenberg Charles Melton Sparkling Red This is amazingly delicious with complexity, … Continue reading →

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Serious Syrah II

Posted on December 3, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Syrah | Leave a comment