Use the above list to navigate by
wine style or variety |
|
|
 McLaren Vale 'Smugglers Budgie' Shiraz 2005 - $9.90
“juicy, blackberries and prunes”
We’re continuing our ‘smugglers’ theme with this juicy little red that was destined for Ireland before we smuggled it into town. 2005 was a cracking vintage in the Vale and this showcases the generosity of the year. It’s packed with lots of
luscious blackberry, prune and mulberry fruit seasoned by a lick of
smoky oak and some licoricey spice. The really generous and juicy palate makes for a tremendous quaffer and it’ll perch quite nicely next to most red meat dishes. And just like all good budgies, its going ‘cheap”.
| |
Hunter Valley/ Hilltops 'The Shotgun' Shiraz Viognier 2005 - $11.70
“blackberries, raspberries and super smooth”
The shotgun blast often rings out across the ripening vineyards to deter grape munching birds. This ‘shotgun’ marriage of 50% Hunter Valley and 50% Hilltops (near Young in Southern NSW) fruit was fermented and matured in older French oak barrels. It offers raspberry, blackfruit and lifted floral aromatics from the 3% Viognier component. The palate is soft with dark raspberry and mulberry fruit and there’s a subtle apricot note. Its generous fruit and a silky soft texture makes it a bit dangerously easy to knock back. Try it with lightly spiced lamb dishes.
| |
Margaret River 'The Troika' Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2003 - $9.00
“juicy mulberry and blackberry goodness”
This blend melds Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec into a delightful, mulberry scented red with a ripe, fleshy palate laced with juicy blackfruit and dried herb flavours and spiced with toasty oak notes from 16 months in French barriques. A familiar Margaret River style, ripe yet fine textured, a treat with roast lamb and a good old fashioned bargain.
| |
Mornington Peninsula 'Merricks North' Pinot Noir 2005 - $18.00
“wonderfully aromatic, elegant, powerful pinot”
From a single vineyard in the Merricks North sub region of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, this intense young Pinot has had the Rolls Royce treatment. Cropped at a low 2 tonnes to the acre, fermented with wild yeasts and aged in Francois Freres burgundian oak barrels it is what top shelf Pinot should be - all elegance and subtle power. A wonderfully aromatic wine, it offers textbook black cherry, plums, vanilla, spice and mint smells. The palate is fine textured with soft, juicy black fruit flavours layered with fine, long fruit tannins. This is serious Pinot, drinking beautifully right now with salmon or your favourite duck dish. It is also sealed by "diam" brand cork, guaranteed to be free of cork taint, so you can also cellar it with confidence. Brilliant booze.
"At the top of the price range is a Mornington Peninsula 'Merricks North' Pinot Noir 2005 which, at $18 is expensive for a cleanskin but cheap for this quality of pinot.Pour it into a big glass, give it a swish, have a sniff and savour the heady aroma of a bargain"
Greg Duncan Powell, SMH 20/3/2007 | |
McLaren Vale Cabernet Merlot 2004 - $11.70
McLaren Vale is often said to be Australia’s mid palate – due to the consistent generosity and weight of the reds. And this is typically McLaren Vale with its blueberry, blackberry and dusty plum mid palate flavours, freshened with a hint of typically Merlot tomato leaf, finishing with a telltale Vale chocolatey edge and fine long tannins. It’s at its best with food, something like barbecued lamb cutlets or crumbly cheddar cheese. | |
Barossa Valley “The Pruner” Cabernet Merlot 2004 - $10.80
The winter pruning is an integral part of the vine growing season and a major factor in deciding what the vine will yield in the subsequent vintage. This one was appears to have been pruned pretty vigorously, with it’s ripe redfruit and blackberry aromatics reflected on the medium weight, chewy palate. There’s tannin there and a leafy streak, typical of the Merlot portion but it’s the generous chocolaty edge to the black fruit flavours that brings it all together. An honest, hearty drink, good with honest, hearty food like bangers and mash or grilled lamb loin chops. | |
Wrattonbully 'Red Dirt' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - $11.70
“hearty, dark cherry, blackberry and mint”
Wrattonbully is just north of Coonawarra, on the same famous “Terra Rossa” soil, but a touch warmer so the fruit has Coonawarra character but is usually a touch riper and richer. This hearty red has aromas of ripe dark cherries and blackberries along with hints of mint and vanilla. It’s really supple in the mouth with generous fruit balanced by silky tannins and a savoury, spicy oak note. Very approachable for a relative youngster and at its best with red meat dishes or hard cheeses.
| |
Hunter Valley The Saddle Shiraz 2001 - $11.70
“ripe raspberry, subtle spice and earthy notes” One of the distinguishing characteristics of aged Hunter Valley Shiraz is an earthy, developed aroma often described as “sweaty saddle.” This Hunter Shiraz, now with some time to develop in bottle, is just starting to show this developed character in addition to ripe raspberry and cherry primary fruit. There’s some green peppercorn like spice too and well integrated oak notes and the tannins have started to soften nicely. A traditional Hunter style, drinking beautifully right now. | |
Barossa Valley Merlot 2005 - $9.00
“toasty oak, juicy blackfruit and vanilla”
Merlot is usually used to as a blending variety to flesh out Cabernet Sauvignon. No need for Cabernet in this case as this juicy little red immediately hits the spot with plump blackcurrant fruit meshed with a hit of toasty vanillin oak. A sensational quaffer that will be your best mate at your next barbeque.
| |
|
|
Powered by siteNshop ©
