D’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Red Chambourcin NV
This is a non-vintage but it’s just come in, so I presume it’s either current or about to be. My experience with this wine is that its quality can be erratic – I didn’t, for instance, like the bottle I...
View ArticleD’Arenberg The Sticks and Stones 2009
Quirky blend of tempranillo, grenache and souzao grapes. Has been a pretty handy wine since its inception.
View ArticleD’Arenberg The Galvo Garage 2008
McLaren Vale blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and petit verdot.
View ArticleA.C. Byrne & Co Shiraz 2011
Another of the Aldi wines. This one at a whopping $9.99. I’m only reviewing the better ones but there are a number of them.
View ArticleMcWilliams 1877 Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Won a few trophies at the shows that aren’t scared to give a big red a big gong – Royal Perth and Royal Queensland, and I’ve since found out, Royal Adelaide – though they haven’t managed to bang a...
View ArticleNashwauk Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Smells and tastes of pure Cabernet Sauvignon. Clearly a good year at Nashwauk for cabernet.
View ArticleNashwauk Shiraz 2010
Come rian, hail or shine – hot season or mild – the Nashwauk wines are determinedly at the extreme end in the alcohol levels.
View ArticleRosemount Estate Nursery Project Mataro 2011
The Nursery Project has “given the Rosemount winemaking team the freedom to explore emerging varietals”. The Nursery Project releases include a varietal grenache, and a varietal mataro/mourvedre. Hmmm....
View ArticleNashwauk Beacon Shiraz 2009
Grown on 40 year old vines. Fifty dozen only. Sees 20 months in (Burgundian) French oak.
View ArticleRosemount Estate District Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
The “District Release” wines have been part of the Rosemount range for a few years now though these 2011s are the first I’ve seen of them.
View ArticleRosemount Estate Nursery Project Grenache 2010
This is a sweet rendition of McLaren Vale grenache but it’s not heavy-handed.
View ArticleRosemount Estate District Release Shiraz 2011
One swallow doesn’t make a summer but I suspect that Rosemount Estate is undergoing something of a revival. This shiraz has picked up a gold medal or two on the show circuit in the past year.
View ArticleRosemount Estate Nursery Project Graciano Mataro Grenache 2011
Good to see Rosemount Estate branching out both style-wise and quality-wise.
View ArticleChapel Hill The Chosen House Block Shiraz 2010
From the back label: 1977 heritage clone, a 0.8 ha block with a 164m elevation. Well drained north facing aspect – 20cm brown sandy loam littered with quartz over red brown earth underlain by solid...
View ArticleChapel Hill The Chosen Road Block Shiraz 2010
Recounted from the back label: 1993 plantings of clone 1654. A 1.82ha site with a 165m elevation. Gentle North East slope with 40cm of pebbly light brown sandy loam overlying orange to yellow clay...
View ArticleChapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz 2009
We’ve already reviewed the 2010 Vicar Shiraz but this has just arrived. Can only assume they were released out of order.
View ArticleAlternatus Grenache 2012
New wine out of the Angove stable. Surprisingly modern. Fresh “Joven” style. Grown on the Warboys vineyard, which is now biodynamically managed. Modern, appealing packaging too.
View ArticleOchota Barrels The Fugazi Vineyard Grenache 2012
Last time I caught up with Taras Ochota in the Adelaide Hills he took me on a tour de vineyards he sources some of his fruit from. It was pretty enlightening, we weaved our way around back roads via...
View ArticleCascabel Tempranillo Joven 2012
Cascabel in McLaren Vale was a pioneer of the young, fresh ‘joven’ style of tempranillo in Australia. 2012 was a good year too.
View ArticleCascabel Couloir 2012
Made with 100% roussanne grapes for the first time (previously blended with viognier). It’s fermented naturally and spends some time in French oak.
View Article