Category Archives: South Australia

d’Arenberg Custodian 2009

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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Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Riesling 2009

Kilikanoon, Clare Valley, Watervale, Mort’s Block, Riesling 2009 The nose displays fresh flowers, apricots and a note of petrol. In the mouth, the concentration is intense, with lots of minerality, lots of acidity and great length – very nice. This … Continue reading

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Brokenwood Shiraz 2007

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

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

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Clarendon Hills Piggot Range Syrah 2005

Clarendon Hills, Clarendon, Piggot Range, Syrah 2005 The nose shows smoky oak and sweet black fruit. In the mouth the fruit is quite expressive and ripe, with an extremely silky texture and great length.  It’s a treat to taste a … Continue reading

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Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2008

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 … Continue reading

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Mollydooker Goose Bumps 2006

Mollydooker, South Australia, Goose Bumps, Sparkling Shiraz 2006 In the nose the oak makes a statement with sweet black fruit. The texture in the mouth is masterful, actually velvety displaying the flavors of blackberry, coffee and freshly-split oak. Proprietors Sarah … Continue reading

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Heartland Viognier Pinot Gris 2006

Heartland, South Australia, Viognier, Pinot Gris 2006 The nose features fresh peaches, candied tropical fruits and spicy flowers. On the palate this wine is quite broad, lowish in acidity, conveying a richness yet emphasizing the vineyard over the winemaking. The … Continue reading

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Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny

Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you’ll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the value-oriented … Continue reading

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d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz 2005

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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