This was our second tasting focused on Shiraz from Australia’s McLaren Vale (the first was in May 2013), and since we were a bit disappointed last time, we decided to make the effort again. They fared a little better this time, with all wines being well-made, though except for the winner, they did not come […]
McLaren Vale Shiraz Showdown #2 Read More »
Our third installment of the Barossa Valley Blowout was very enjoyable, with the top three wines separated by only three points, showing great depth of flavor and balance. The top two wines were from the 2006 vintage, while the rest were relatively young. First Place: Mitolo Shiraz Reiver 2006 (Barossa Valley). Starting a little uneven,
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Coming into this tasting the group had high hopes for experiencing big, flavorful wines. But overall, we agreed with Andy R’s assessment of them as “disappointing children” — wines that often showed too much alcohol, and lacked sufficient balance. First Place: The Lucky Country Shiraz 2009 (McLaren Vale). Tasters found complex scents of acetone,
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Although our second tasting of Barossa Valley Shiraz did not produce a blockbuster, “wow” wine, the group overall enjoyed the diversity of flavors these offered, and every bottle received points except for one. The third place wine made it on to the podium by only one point. Thanks to first time taster Kristin Amico,
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This month’s tasting was an overview of one of Australia’s most respected wineries, with six wines from d’Arenberg. Two whites were represented, and the remainder Shiraz-based reds. Joyce brought a surprise red, which turned out to be the great 2002 Dead Arm Shiraz, which was blindly poured next to the 1998 Dead Arm.
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For this month’s wine tasting, we sampled the wines of one of David’s favorite Australian wineries, Yalumba. The idea was to taste a cross-section of wine types, through the lens of one winery. Gilles generously allowed us to use his place for the wine tasting “road show”, and prepared an outstanding meal of fennel/leek soup,
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Tasters were generally surprised about how diverse these wines were, having a good range of flavors and textures. Two wines were revealed as exactly the same bottling, and though they were perceived to be different tasted blind, they were both liked by at least four tasters. These two also had a distinctive sea-like quality.
Australian Chardonnay Showdown Read More »
This month, our tasting was an effort to see how well Australian wines blended from multiple grapes stacked up to more conventional single varietal wines. No one doubted the quality and richness of the Yalumba blend, receiving praise and first place votes from everyone at the table, and the second place wine was also
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Originating from a cross of Syrah and Peloursin grapevines, Petite Sirah is anything but small in flavor. Also known as Durif, it makes wines of incomparable color and unique character. While it is grown in France (barely), the United States, and Australia, the amount of acreage devoted to the grape is miniscule compared to
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Sure, Australia makes a great deal of amazing Shiraz, but one shouldn’t miss out on the many delicious Cabernets the continent has to offer, often at bargain prices. Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in many of the same appellations that are famous for Shiraz (such as the Barossa and Clarendon Hills) but is also
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