Category Archives: South Australia

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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Cabernet Aussie-Style

Posted on December 10, 2007 by RJ

Yalumba Coonawarra The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 The 2002 smelled of cigar box, tobacco, light green pepper and a hint of pickle. In the mouth there was ample acidity which carriesd the juicy red flavors for a long time. Sourced … Continue reading →

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Merlot in Transit

Posted on December 10, 2007 by RJ

Mollydooker South Australia Merlot 2006 Sourced from Padthaway and McLaren Vale 15.5% $18.99 at Bottle Barn Mollydooker

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Sweet side of Semillon

Posted on December 7, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

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Bordeaux Grapes in the New World

Posted on December 7, 2007 by RJ

Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Mild green elements add a nice complexity to the cherry fruit. This is a light-bodied Cabernet with a complementary level of acidity. All Cabernet aged in new and used French and US oak. Winemaker Sue … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Margaret River, Merlot, New Zealand, Petit Verdot, South Australia, Western Australia | Leave a comment

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 →

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GSMPS

Posted on December 3, 2007 by RJ

Spinifex Barossa Valley Esprit 2004 There is sweet black fruit and tar in the nose. The mouth shows a soft structure that is lush. The in-mouth flavors are very fruity in a candied way. This GSM blend is 36% Grenache, … Continue reading →

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Barossa Refreshers

Posted on December 3, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Grenache, Riesling, Rosé, South Australia | Leave a comment

Serious Syrah

Posted on November 30, 2007 by RJ

d’Arenberg McLaren Vale The Dead Arm Shiraz 2005 In the nose there is vibrant fruit enhanced by earth and complementary oak. There’s a mouthful of dense fruit as well to keep up with a big structure in this youthful Shiraz … Continue reading →

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Animals on the Rhone

Posted on November 30, 2007 by RJ

Clarendon Hills Clarendon Kangarilla Grenache 2004 Vibrant black fruit, actually liquer-like in the nose. The palate is spiritous, ripe, framed with acidity around a vast expanse of fruitiness. Sourced from old Grenache vines in the Kangarilla Vineyard. P&B in Blewitt … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Barossa Valley, Grenache, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, South Australia | Leave a comment