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, 34% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre and...
Exploring the World with Ray Johnson
Barossa Refreshers
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,...
Serious Syrah
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 - deliciously chewy. Aged...
Animals on the Rhone
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...
The Refreshing Side of the McLaren Vale
Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard Roussanne 2007 Pretty floral notes with bits of herbs. The mouth is full of citrus with a light body and some refreshing acidity. V&B in McLaren Vale 13% import sample Yangarra McLaren Vale Single Vineyard...
Muscat Love?
Domaine des Bernardins Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2005 Quite complex with apparent alcohol. 100% Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains. Mis par Cave Castaud in Beaumes-de-Venise 15% $12.99 (375ml) at Bottle Barn
Baby Beaucastel
Perrin & Fils Cotes du Rhone Villages 2004 Gamey with earthy notes and a fair amount of tannin. This wine is 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. Mis in Orange 13% $9.69 at Bottle Barn
The Lighter Side of Rhone
Chateau La Canorgue Cotes du Luberon 2006 Unfortunately this wine is showing its alcohol quite overtly. The grapes for this wine are Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne and Bourboulenc. La Canorgue farms its 30 hectares biodynamically. Mis au chateau...
Secret Sauvignon
Craggy Range Martinborough Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Te Muna means 'secret place' and it is where this vineyard is located, adjacent to the Huangarua River. P&B in Havelock North 13.5% $19.99 at K&L Craggy Range
A Travel to Tavel
Domaine de la Mordoree Tavel La Dame Rousse 2006 Smells of strawberry and bisquits. There's a broad mouthfeel with fruit to taste and added weight compared to other roses - very nice. The grapes behind this pink wine are 60% Grenache, 10-20%...