| New South Wales |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Bimbadgen Botrytis Semillon 2005 (Yenda) 12% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Majestic £7 HB |
How do they get this level of botrytis in NSW? Honey on nose. Medium sweet, good balance, possible rather simple on finish. |
5+ |
| Brokenwood CP Sauvignon/Semillon 2007 (Hunter Valley) 13% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £12 |
Good fruit and some complexity |
5 |
| Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2006 (Hunter Valley) 13.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £48 |
Slightly perfumed, good fruit, but dusty on end. |
5+ |
| Brokenwood ILR Semillon 2003 (Hunter Valley) 11.5% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Formula Wines £12.50 |
Yellow colour. Rounded and oily on nose and palate, good acidity and fair length |
5 |
| Brokenwood Semillon 2007 (Hunter Valley) 11.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £12 |
Good colour. Lemon on nose. Ripe fruit, oil and good acidity. |
5+ |
| Chalmers Lagrein 2005 (Murray-Darling) 14.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Philglass & Swiggot £12.75 |
Deep red. Light nose withn hints of black fruit. Starts smooth and fruity, but turns hot and astringent in the middle, with a rather bitter finish. Overextracted? |
4 |
| Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2007 (Canberra District) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £15 |
Very young and tight, but plenty of fruit and length under |
5 |
| Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz 2007 (Canberra District) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £20+ |
Very young, with ecellent fruit but very strong tannins |
5+ |
| Cumulus Climbing Merlot 2004 (Orange) 13.5% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Majestic £8.99 |
Dull colour. Red fruit on nose. Quite sweet, ripe fruit, balancing acidity, some finish but lacks excitement. |
4 |
| De Bortoli Noble One Semillon 2003 15% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Majestic £13 HB |
Deep yellow ewith brown hints. Strong marmalade on nose. Rich sweet fruit with balancing acidity. Long finish with some development, but should improve |
5+ |
| De Bortoli Noble One Semillon 2006 10% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Fareham Wines |
Gold. Swwet, honeyed nose. Rich palate with balancing acidity and marmalade bitterness: very long |
6- |
| Marks & Spencer Hunter Valley Shiraz 2007 13.5% |
CLWS 15.4.09 |
M&S £8 |
Moderate colour. Little nose. Very sweet, ripe fruit with some tannin but no acidity: quickly hollows out with little finish. Not very pleasant |
3+ |
| Mayfield Icely Road Riesling 2005 (Orange) 12.5% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
winehound.co.uk £9 |
Very pale green. Oily nose, with some lime blossom. Riesling character, subtle and oily, possibly lacking acidity: good length but little development yet. Young vines |
4+ |
| McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2001 (Hunter Valley) 11% |
CLWS 12.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £14 |
Quite yellow. Nose has lanolin. Palate oil and acidity, not yet integrated. Long, sherberty finish. Still needs time. |
5+ |
| Millfield Semillon 1999 (Hunter Valley) 11% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Corney & Barrow £8 |
Gold colour. Honeyed nose. Crisp, well-balanced palate: good length and elegant |
5+ |
| Morris Liqueur Muscat NV 17.5% |
IWD 298.06.08 |
Tesco £7 |
Pale amber. Woody nose. Sweet, fruity, some acidity, with controlled finish |
5- |
| Nuggan Cookathema 2005 (Darlington Point) 11.5% |
IWD 19.1.08 |
Handford £13 HB |
Botrytis Semillon. Medium yellow. Strong marmalade nose. Sweet, oily and fruity, with balancing acidity: good length |
6 |
| Nuggan Estate Manuka Vineyard Durif 2004 (Riverina) 15% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
quantockabbey.co.uk £13.30 |
Deep purple red. Dark fruits and spice on nose. Sweet ripe fruit balanced by tannin and some acidity: long, but rather astringent finish |
5 |
| Penfold Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2006 13.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Waitrose £17 |
Pale. Touch of oak on nose. Young, rather thin and citric with oak touches: some length but rather simple |
4- |
| Philip Shaw The Dreamer Viognier 2008 (Orange) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Awin Barnett Siegel (W) |
Green fruit on dry. Off-dry palate without much quality |
4- |
| Rawnsley Estate Chardonnay 2005 (Central Ranges) 12.5% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Tesco £9.99 |
Clean green-yellow colour. Quite clean and fresh commercial style |
4 |
| Tyrell's Double Barrel 24 Shiraz 2005 (Hunter Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £20+ |
Two years, new barrels eacxh year. Oaky on nose and palate, but excellent fruit and depth and a very long finish |
6 |
| Tyrell's Lost Block Semillon 2007 (Hunter Valley) 11% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £9 |
Soft but lacking in character |
4 |
| Tyrell's Old Winery Semillon 2008 (Hunter Valley) 10.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £7 |
Rather thin and sharp |
4 |
| Tyrell's Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2006 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £12 |
Good fruit, but lacks length and complexity |
5 |
| Tyrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2002 (Hunter Valley) 10% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £20+ |
Picking up balance, oilyness and complexity - still quite young though |
6 |
| Tyrell's Vat 8 Shiraz 2006 (Hunter Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £20+ |
Good colour. Nose showing some flowers. Palate tight with tannin but showing some good fruit character |
5+ |
| Tyrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay 2006 (Hunter Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fells (W) £20+ |
Quite subtle, with oil and oak showing and a long finish |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| South Australia |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
|
|
|
|
|
| Tim Adams The Aberfeldy Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) 14.5% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Tesco £25 |
Black colour. Black fruit and alcohol on nose. Rather hot and astringent on palate |
5- |
| Tim Adams The Aberfeldy Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £24.99 |
Very backward. Dense rich fruit under strong tannins: classic development already evident. Needs a decade |
6+ |
| Tim Adams The Aberfeldy Shiraz 2006 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
|
Starting to open and show some varietal character and elegance |
5+ |
| Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2004 (Clare Valley) 15% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Tesco £10 |
Moderate colour. Slightly cooked summer fruits on nose. Ripe fruit, fine tannins: sour spicy and sour notes on end |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
GCS 7.8.09 |
|
Pale rim. Complex fruit aromas. Over-ripe fruit balanced by acidity: unresolvd and with a hot end |
5 |
| Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2005 (Clare Valley) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £9.99 |
Reasonable colour. Red fruits. Resonable balance of fruit and acidity: some development |
5 |
| Tim Adams Cabernet Malbec 2005 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
about £12 |
Some fruit, but surprisingly light weight |
4+ |
| Tim Adams Pinot Gris 2008 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
about £12 |
Not very varietal on nose. Ripe fruit and oil starting to show on palate |
4+ |
| Tim Adams Riesling 2007 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
about £7 |
Dry with some Riesling character developing and some length |
4+ |
| Tim Adams Semillon 2007 (Clare valley |
ADT 29.1.09 |
about £9 |
Some weight, oil and oak, but little development yet: good length |
5 |
| Tim Adams Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £9.99 |
Quite elegant, possibly a little stalky on finish. Needs time |
5- |
| Tim Adams Shiraz 2006 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
about £9 |
Very young, possibly a little green |
4 |
| Tim Adams Reserve Tempranillo 2006 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Australian Wine Agencies (W) £20 |
Creitable character, some intensity |
5+ |
| Annie's Lane Shiraz 2007 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) £9 |
Very young purple colour. Little on nose. Very thin, short palate |
4 |
| Balnaves The Tally Reserve CS 2006 (Coonawarra) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £50 |
Good colour. Backward nose. Dense fruit and high acidity with oak tannins: long but unresolved finish |
6- |
| Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz NV (SE Australia) 14% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Waitrose £8 |
Full colour, fair mousse. Sweet ripe red fruits. Considerable sweetness, good acidity: some spice on finish, but not serious. |
4+ |
| Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2002 (Clare Valley) 15.5% |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £60 |
80-90 year old vines. Black colour. Tight nose. Ripe black fruits on palate, but still strongly structured: intense finish, with fruit but a lot of astringency. Only just starting to develop. Needs at least 5 years |
6 |
| Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clara) 2003 |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £9.99 |
Deep colour, pale at edge. Rich cooked blackcurrant nose. Palate has ripe fruit but lacks tannin: Coonawarra acidity appears on finish and dominates end |
4 |
| Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clare) 2004 |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Morrisons £8.99 |
Black. Leather and dark fruits. Ripe fruits, plus acidity and tannin. Good length |
5 |
| Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra/Clare) 2006 15% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Flagship Wines £11 |
Black red. Mint and blackcurrants on nose. Fruit is balanced by tannins and acidity. Good length, but a bit straightforward - should develop more complexity over time |
5+ |
| Jim Barry Florita Riesling 2005 (Clare Valley) 13.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Berkmann (W) £15 |
Serious Aussie-style Riesling. Yellow, some smoke on nose. Reasonable balance, some development |
5 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £17 |
A more developed bottle. Pale colour. Nose intense when released, with some oil coming. Good weight and balance, with an acidic prickle: floral tones and oil developing on long finish. |
5+ |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Riesling 2005 (Clare Valley) 13% |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £9.99 |
Pale green-yellow. Floral nose, hints of smoke. Slightly off-dry, quite a lot of citric acidity: finish is oily and warm, not stony R quality. |
4+ |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2002 (Clare Valley) 15.5% |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
about £9 |
Absolutely typical mature Aussie shiraz: honeyed fruit, enough structure, lots of finish. Ready |
6 |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) 15.5% |
GCS 23.6.07 |
|
Dark colour. Rich nose. Mature palate with balanced fruit and spice on end |
5 |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley) 14.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Berkmann (W) £8.50 |
Deep colour. Ripe fruit on nose and palate, with good acidity through to the end. |
5 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £9.99 |
A badly stored bottle, with considerable browning to rim. Fruit is dense, butstarting to dry out on finish. Showing some mint on end. |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
IWD 19.7.08 |
Berkmann (W) £8.50 |
Very dark colour. Nose starting to show some leather. Palate is rich and balanced, with a long, complex finish |
6- |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley) 15% |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
Mill Hill Wines £8.99 |
Dark. Very fruity nose and palate. Ripe tannins: reasonable, developing finish |
5 |
| - ditto - |
HASS 19.2.09 |
|
Bl;ack red. Little nose. Palate has ripe fruit, fine tannins: good length and development - ready |
6- |
| Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006 (Clare Valley) 15% |
CLWS 10.9.08 |
Mill Hill Wines £11 |
Black-red. Black fruit and violets. Very good fruit, some tannin, long: finish is rather hot and lacking in subtlety |
5+ |
| Jim Barry The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) |
Very good balance of ripe fruit and tannin: long, complex finish - the equivalent of McRae Wood |
6+ |
| Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 1998 (Clare Valley) 13.5% |
GCS 24.11.06 |
|
Black-red with pale fringe. Nose has some cork taint. Plate hollow and broken up. Marked as faulty |
1 |
| Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 1998 Museum Release (Clare Valley) 13.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Handford £25 |
Mature colour and nose. Good fully-ripe fruit balanced by acidity: long finish with increasing complexity. Still improving |
6+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
|
A poorer bottle. Much more browning. Fruit beginning to fade, rather thin and astringent on finish |
5 |
| - ditto - |
IWD 20.09.08 |
|
Excellent botltle, with a narrow brown fringe, Violets, leather and vegetation on nose. Very rich, with a good structure and a long, elegant, mature finish. Near peak. |
7- |
| Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) 15.5% |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
Flagship Wines £17.99 |
Dark colour. Very rich soft nose. Palate has ripe fruit under tannic structure: exceptional length, increasing complexity. Needs time |
7- |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
|
Not as good a bottle. Rather cooked nose. Lots of jammy fruit, but a bit tough, with prominent alcohol. Fair length, with some minty development just starting to show. |
6- |
| Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley) 15% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Flagship Wines £24 |
Dark. Fruit, leateher and some floral aromas. Ripe fruit balanced by acidity: very long and rich, just starting to show some pepper at end. Needs time. |
6 |
| Jim Barry Silly Mid On 2005 (Clare Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 10.10.07 |
Flagship Wines £9.99 |
Ripe Australian style, with oil and gooseberry on nose, balancing acidity and quite good length. |
5- |
| Jim Barry Silly Mid On 2006 (Clare Valley) 12.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Berkmann (W) £8 |
Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc. Quite sweet, with little varietal character. |
4 |
| Battle of Bosworth Shiraz/Viognier 2005 (McLaren Vale) 15.5% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
Oddbins £9.99 |
Light, flowery nose, soft ripe fruit, some tannin. Moderate length spice and some leather at end |
5 |
| Bellevue Hill Verdelho 2006 (SE Australia) 12.5% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Majestic £5.49 |
Pale green. Neutral nose. Soft, off-dry palate with little finish |
4- |
| Bleasdale Bremerview Shiraz 2005 (Langhorne Creek) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
MWH (W) £12 |
Rather backward and restrained: lacks excitement |
5 |
| Bleasdale Malbec 2005 (Langhorne Creek) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
MWH (W) £12 |
Some varietal character and length, but straightforward |
5 |
| Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet 2005 (Langhorne Creek) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
MWH (W) £12 |
Black red. Blackcurrant and mint on nose. Soft palate, rather lacking structure; fair length. Ready |
5+ |
| Bleasdale Frank Potts 2005 (Langhorne Creek) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
MWH (W) £12 |
90% CS, 10% Malbec. Deep colour. Black fruits on nose. Rounded palate, fairlength and some development. Nearly ready |
5+ |
| Bethany Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
D&D (W) £12 |
Fruity but lacks concentration nd development |
5- |
| De Bortoli Petit Verdot 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Oddbins £9 |
Bl;ack. Backward nose. Rich fruit with powerful structure: some length but a rather brutal finish |
5 |
| Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Tesco £8.99 |
Very deep colour with pale edge. Nose has oak and blackcurrant. Ripe fruit under heavy structure of oak, tannin and acidity. Some length and early development. |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
HASS 19.2.09 |
|
Good colour. Mature Cabernet nose. Rather soft and old on palate, with a simple finish. Has not lasted |
4- |
| Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Coonawarra & McLaren Vale) 14% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Tesco £8.99 |
Red black. Blackcurrant leaf and oak on nose. Ripe black fruit with lots of oak, high acidity under. Leather and pepper developing on finish. |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 15.4.09 |
|
This bottle getting rather astringent. Past its best. |
4+ |
| Boycat Merlot 2006 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
GCS 7.8.09 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Black-red. Plum aromas. Very ripe and rich pale with some structure: not much finish |
5+ |
| Boycat Merlot 2007 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
HASS 19.2.09 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Modest colour. Cooked fruit on nose. Cooked, dirty and acidic on palate, perhaps rancio on end. Unpleasant |
3 |
| Buller Caspia Dessert Lexia 2005 (SE Australia) 11.5% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Morrisons £4.99 |
Very pale. Grapey nose. Sweet, slightly petillant on palate, without much structure or finish |
4 |
| Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 (McLaren Vale & Coonawarra) 13.5% |
GCS 24.11.06 |
|
Very dark. Blackcurrant fruit, mint and spice on nose. Good fruit with balancing structure: some development but needs a little longer. |
5- |
| Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 (McLaren Vale & Coonawarra) 13% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Tesco £10 |
Rather structured wine, with oaky tannins dominating the blackcurant fruit. Good length. Should develop. |
5- |
| Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Berkmann £12 |
Good colour. Little nose. Ripe fruit over tannin on palate, some finidh and development |
5 |
| Chapel Hill Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Berkmann £12 |
Good colour. Little nose. Reasonable fruit and structure, but rather short |
5- |
| Chapel Hill The Vicar Shriaz 2006 (McLaren Vale) 14% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Berkmann £20+ |
Deep colour. Dark fruit and oak on nose. Very good concentration, with fine oak tannins still prominent: very long, with little developoment yet |
6 |
| Ch Reynella Basket Pressed Shiraz 2003 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
GCS 15.5.09 |
|
Dark red. Little nose. Rather young and ordinary |
4 |
| Cobborah Chardonnay 2007 (SE Australia) 13.5% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
Marks & Spencer £5 |
Pale yellow. Little nose. Quite acidic, with wood notes, some oil, little fruit: not much length. |
3+ |
| Crowded Hour Chardonnay 2008 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Virgin Wines £8.50 |
Pale. Oak hints and floral aromas. Palate is dry, but with tropical fruit balanced by acidity and some length |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Waitrose £22 |
Good depth of colour with some oak browning. Spicy blackcurrant nose. Balanced palate with ripe fruit, oak and acidity: very long with complexity developing. Should age well |
6 |
| D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2001 (McLaren Vale) 15% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
about £25 |
Shows considerable aging on colour and nose. Rather thin and astringent, not in the usual d'Arenberg style. Finish has some length |
4+ |
| D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2002 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Waitrose £12 HB |
Black-red with very narrow fringe. Some leather and ripe fruit on nose. Very ripe fruit, with fine tannins and considerable acidity: good length, starting to develop. Probably needs another 5 years |
6- |
| D'Arenberg Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2003 (McLaren Vale) 15% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Waitrose £12 |
Rich brrowning red. Light nose with red fruits and mint. Ripe fruit and overlying tannins: quite simple with some spice on end. |
4+ |
| D'Arenberg Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2005 (McLaren Vale) 15% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Waitrose £12 |
Good colour. Ripe red fruit on nose. Good fruit and structure, with some length: ready |
5+ |
| D'Arenberg Galvo Garage 2004 14.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Waitrose £12 |
CS + Merlot & Petit Verdot from McLaren Vale, South Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills. Dark colour. Ripe blackcurrants on nose. Acidic, rather simple palate, with a rather woody aftertaste. Seems to lack power - will it develop? |
4+ |
| - ditto - |
IWD 14.2.09 |
|
Black red. Backward nose. Very good concentration and structure,: long and showing excellent development. A better bottle, or just needing time? |
6+ |
| D'Arenberg Hermit Crab 2006 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Oddbins £9.50 |
Marsanne 50%, Viognier 50%. Mid gold colour. Flowers and ripe mango on nose. Good weight of fruit with balancing acidity and some length |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings GSM 2003 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Waitrose £20 |
70% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 5% Mourvedre. Medium depth with considerable browning. Red fruits and tar on nose. Considerable tannins overlying fruit: seems rather short and undeveloped - in its shell? Try when older. |
5- |
| D'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings GSM 2004 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Waitrose £24 |
Quite deep colour. Some violets and leather on nose. Rich palate, with tannin still prominent - fair length with some development |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Late Harvest Riesling 2006 (McLaren Vale) 9.5% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Oddbins £9 HB |
Amber colour. Some oil on nose. Sweet palate with oily texture and balancing acidity: perhaps finishes a little short |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2005 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Oddbins £15 |
Pale yellow. Yeast and oak on nose. Tropical fruit balanced by oak and acidity: long finish with some development |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Money Spider Rousanne 2006 (McLaren Vale) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Oddbins £10 |
Pale gold. Nutty and floral aromas. Fresh fruit with grassy acidity: quite delicate but long and showing some complexity in an acidic finish. Will age. |
5 |
| D'Arenberg Noble Riesling 2006 (McLaren Vale) 9.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Oddbins £11 HB |
Deep gold colour. Intense apricot and marmalade nose. Lushiosly sweet, with balancing acidity: good length and some development on end. Little Riesling character yet - apricots right through. |
5+ |
| D'Arenberg Old Vine Shiraz 1995 (McLaren Vale) 14% |
CLWS 25.3.09 |
|
Mature colour and nose. Cooked fruit balanced by acidity and wood tannins: long and quite complex |
5+ |
| D'Arenberg Vintage Fortified Shiraz 1998 (McLaren Vale) 18.5% |
CLWS 11.06.08 |
Philglas & Swiggot £17 |
Australian vintage Port style. Black-red with a very narrow rim. Mostly alcohol on nose. Palate still unbalanced - tight acidity, waves of sugar and astringent on finish. Nowhere near ready. |
5- |
| De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat NV 18% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Majestic £10 |
Brown colour. Cooked grapes on nose. Rather caramelised, sweet fruit lacking acidity: hot finish |
4+ |
| Dromana Estate Chardonnay 1998 (Mornington Peninsula) 13.5% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Tesco £5 |
Pale. Oaky nose. Fully mature, smooth and some concentration |
4 |
| P Douglas Bulge Hoop Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra) |
LIWF 22.05.08 |
|
Good colour. Blackcurrant nose. Good fruit, with fine tannins and some acidity: good length but little development yet. |
5+ |
| Dutschke Willow Bend 2005 (Barossa Valley) 15.5% |
CI 7.10.09 |
Genesis Wines £11 |
One third each Merlot, CS, Shiraz. Good colour. Ripe fruit, just starting to show some vegetal development. Balanced palate with ripe fruit: good middle and length, although perhaps a little hot on end. Certainly Barossa style |
5+ |
| Fox Gordon By George Cabernet Tempranillo 2006 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
HwCg (W) £9 |
Fair depth of fruit, with still tannic through to end: some development but little sign ofTempranillo |
5- |
| Fox Gordon Eight Uncles Shiraz 2006 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
HwCg (W) £9 |
Rich fruit, with tannins still a little prominent: quite long with some spice on end |
5+ |
| Fox Gordon Hannah's Swing Shiraz 2006 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
HwCg (W) £12 |
Deep colour. Backward nose. Some tannins, but concentrated ripe fruit under: good length - needas a year to develop |
6- |
| Fox Gordon King Louis Cabernet 2006 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
HwCg (W) £12 |
Rather disappointing - l;acks depth and interest |
5- |
| David Franz Old Redemption NV (Barossa Valley) 19.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Awin Barratt Siegel £20+ |
Fortified shiraz. Pale tawny. Very madeirised, nutty nose. Moderately sweet with very good acidity and some length |
5+ |
| Gemtree Bloodstone Tempranillo 2007 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
New Generation (W) £15 |
Fair colour. Red fruit on nose. Reasonable fruit but quite acidic: some finish |
5 |
| Gemtree Obsidian Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
New Generation (W) |
Excellent fruit and structure, very long and delicious |
6 |
| Gemtree Phantom Petit Verdot 2007 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
New Generation (W) £15 |
Dense colour. Violets on nose. Intense red fruit, but a little hot on end |
5+ |
| Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
New Generation (W) £15 |
Good colour. Dark fruit on nose. Good fruit character and length |
5+ |
| Gemtree White Lees Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
New Generation (W) |
Dark colour. Little nose. Reasonable fruit overlaid with oak: fair length but no development |
5+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Oddbins £30 (? You'll be lucky!) |
Very dark. Nose already developing dark fruit, flower and leather aromas. Very spicy attack with ripe fruit and balancing acidity and tannin: enormously long, starting to develop. Will develop for years |
7 |
| Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 1.10.08 |
Planet of the Grapes £38 |
Some brown to rim. Backward nose. Intense palate with considerable acidity - not yet in balance. Very long, intense finish with development only just starting. Needs at least 10 years. |
6+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz 2007 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) |
Young colour and nose. Palate is backward and tannic: spicy fruit appears towards finish, which is very long. Needs a long time. |
7- |
| Ben Glaetzer Annaperenna 2006 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) |
75% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet. Still tannic, with very good fruit and finish |
6- |
| Ben Glaetzer Annaperenna 2007 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) |
Concentrated fruit balanced by oak tannins, and showing a long, complex finish. |
6 |
| Ben Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz 2007 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) £18 |
Very backward, but a good concentration of fruit |
5+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Godolphin 2004 (Barossa Valley) 15.5% |
GCS 7.8.09 |
about £35 |
60% Shiraz, 40% CS. Black-red. Ripe black fruit on nose. Very rich palate; cooked fruit, acidity and tannin, not quite resolved: very long, some development, but needs time |
6+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Shiraz 2002 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
SWIG £35 |
Deep black-red. Little sign of aging. Backward nose. Structure dominates moderate fruit: long complex finish. Not quite ready |
5+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) 15.5% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
about £18-20 |
Deep colour. Nose shows lavender. Very ripe fruit, good acidity. Quite long, hot, chocolate finish |
5+ |
| Ben Glaetzer Wallace 2006 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) £12 |
70% Shiraz, 30% Grenache. Backward and only modestly fruity |
5- |
| Greenock Creek Alice's Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 1.10.08 |
Harvey Nichols £34 |
Very dark colour. Really attractive nose with flowers, black fruit, vanilla, pepper and minerals. Intense fruit, with balancing structure: finsih has all the aromas plus some development |
7 |
| Green Point Sparkling 2001 (SE Australia) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Farnham Wine Cellar £12.50 |
Pinot Noir + Chardonnay & Meunier. Some maurity - yeasty nose with some fruit. Off-dry palate with good acidity: clean, flowery finish |
5 |
| Jeffrey Grosset Gaia Riesling 2002 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £20+ |
Quite vegetal on nose. Rounded pale with some finish |
5 |
| Jeffrey Grosset Gaia Riesling 2005 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £20+ |
Very vegetal. Rather harsh green fruit on palate. Not to my taste |
4 |
| Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz 2006 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) £12 |
A little backward, but a good concentration of fruit |
5+ |
| Heartland Shiraz 2006 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) £9 |
Fairly light nose. Rich but quite simple palate, ready to drink |
5 |
| Heartland Stickleback White 2007 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Great Western (W) £7 |
60% Verdello, 20% Semillon, 20% Chardonnay. Palatable but very commercial |
4 |
| Heartland Viognier/Pinot Gris 2006 (Langhorne Creek) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £8.95 |
Quite pale. Fresh nose, with grapes and soft fruit. Rich fruit and oil on palate with acidity under: moderate length, little development. |
4+ |
| Heggies Vineyard Botrytis Riesling 2006 (Eden Valley) 10% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) £12 HB |
Botrytis is induced. Good Riesling character on nose and palate - semi-swet, oily, good acidity and length |
6 |
| Rolf Binder Heinrich 2003 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Wimbledon Wine Cellar £11 |
Shiraz, Matao & Grenache. Deep red.Tarry, spicy red fruits. Very ripe fruit on palate, with strong structure under: finish intense to the stage of porty |
5+ |
| Henschke Abbotts Prayer Merlot 2002 (Lenswood) 14% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Lay & Wheeler £35 |
Medium colour. Raspberry fruit. Light, balanced palate with fresh fruit: finish is qite long, with hints of woody development, but lacks concentration |
5+ |
| Henschke Euphonium Keyneston Estate 2001 (Barossa) 14% |
ONS 7.5.09 |
Waitrose £20 |
72% Shiraz, 20% CS, 8% Merlot. Black-red. Cooked black fruit and eucalyptus on nose. Still quite structured: very long with spice and mint flavours developing |
5+ |
| Henschke Euphonium Keyneston Estate 2002 (Barossa) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Waitrose £20 |
Shiraz + CS and Merlot. Good colour. Flowers and leather on nose. Rich fruit balanced by acidity and fine tannins: good concentration and length, but a little hot on end |
5+ |
| Henschke Euphonium Keyneston Estate 2003 (Barossa) 13% |
IWD 19.1.08 |
Waitrose £20 |
Shiraz + CS and Merlot. Black-red. Nose dominated by Shiraz. Ripe black fruits balanced by fine tannins and acidity: long and starting to develop spicy complexity. |
5+ |
| Henschke Henry's Seven 2002 (Barossa) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Waitrose £15 |
Shiraz +Greanche & Viognier. Slightly purple red. Nose is burnet and rather inky. Rather coarse, earthy palate with considerable alcohol showing. Not to my taste. |
4 |
| Henschke Hill of Grace 1996 (Eden Valley) 14% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
now over £200 |
Considerable age showing. Mature nose and palate with dried flowers and meat – considerable richness and power remaining, with a long spicy finish |
7 |
| Henschke Hill of Grace 2001 (Eden Valley) 14% |
GCS 15.5.09 |
now over £200 |
Excellent colour. Nose has oak and mint. Palate is still tight, with lots of ripe fruit: good balance. Huge length, but finish isn't yet resolved. Still needs considerable time. |
7- |
| Henschke Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris 2001 (Adelaide Hills) 14.5% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Lay & Wheeler £13.99 |
Pale green-yellow. Hint of diesel. Rather thin on palate: some elegance on finish but rather disappointing. |
3 |
| Henschke Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris 2004 (Adelaide Hills) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Lay & Wheeler £16 |
Pale yellow. Backward nose. Oily palate without much fruit character: some length but lacks concentration |
5 |
| Henschke Johann's Garden 2004 (Barossa) 15.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Lay & Wheeler £20 |
Late harvested Grenache + Mourvedre & Shiraz. Bright red. Smoky red fruit nose. Good soft fruit and oak: good length, but not much development yet |
5 |
| Henschke Julius Riesling 2003 (Eden Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
Lay & Wheeler £14 |
Good smokey/oily nose. Ripe fruit, but thin on end |
4 |
| Henschke Louis Semillon 2004 (Eden Valley) 13% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Waitrose £13 |
Gold colour. Mature lanolin nose. Fresh fruit with good balancing structure and development |
5+ |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 1993 (Eden Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
|
Full colour, narrow brown fringe. Laether and eucalyptus on nose. Mature fruit with plenty of structure: long, complex, farmyard and spice finish |
6 |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 1998 (Eden Valley) 14% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
about £35 |
Deep colour, considerable browning. Mature, vegetal nose. Some ripe fruit, good structure. Reasonable length elegant finish. |
6 |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2000 (Eden Valley) 14% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
about £40 |
Some browning. Violets, leather and vegetal aromas. Rich, round palate with good acidity: long, with tar and vegetal complexity |
6 |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2001 (Eden Valley) 14% |
GCS 15.5.09 |
about £40 |
Good colour. Restrained nose. Subtle ripe palate with good balance - long finish, still developing |
6+ |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2002 (Eden Valley) 15% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Waitrose £42 |
50th anniversary vintage. Dark colour. Rich nose. Warm, rich palate, with acidic structure: long, with development just starting, but alcohol already too prominent. |
6- |
| Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2004 (Eden Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
Waitrose £42 |
Very dark, narrow browing fringe. Young, rather sulphurous nose, with leather under. Quite tannic on palate, with ripe fruit and acidity under: heavy weight, very long with a savoury finish, but very, very young |
6+ |
| Hollick Hollaia Sangiovese CS 2005 (Coonawarra) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Seckford (W) £11 |
Rather thin and green |
5- |
| Hollick Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 (Coonawarra) 13.5% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
about £25 |
Broad brown rim. Fresh cabernet fruit on nose and palate, strong structure with acidity showing. Moderate length with some development, but still seems young. |
5 |
| Jacob's Creek Shiraz 2004 (SE Australia) 14% |
CLWS 7.3.07 |
Morrisons £5.99 |
Medicinal, cooked nose. Stewed fruit with no Shiraxz character, drying out. No length or strucutre |
2+ |
| James Irvine Grand Merlot 1998 (Eden Valley) 14.5% |
GCS 24.11.06 |
|
Some browning. Rich plummy nose with spice and some wood. Good fruit but tannins still a little prominent: good length, some development. |
5 |
| Kangarilla Road Primativo 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Indage (W) £10 |
Deep colour. Authentic nose. Good fruit and structure, fair length. Rather good |
6- |
| Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 (Coonawarra) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
Current vintage Waitrose £14 |
Fairly dark colour. Not much fruit on nose or palate. Rather astringent. Too old |
4+ |
| Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Coonawarra) 14% |
CLWS 12.9.07 |
Waitrose £13.99 |
Reasonable colour. Blackcurrants and tar, some vegetal maturity on nose. Elegant fruit with balancing structure – largely acidity. Fair length |
5+ |
| Kay Brothers Amery Block 6 Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
We Love Fine Wines (W) £43 |
Solid colour. Oak and flowers. Well rounded and integrated - long, intense, developing finish |
6 |
| The Lane Pinot Gris 2006 (Adelaide Hills) 13.5% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Waitrose £10 |
Pale gold. Lavender and honey on nose. Good balance with some oil: reasonable finish |
5 |
| The Lane Reunion Shiraz 2001 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Corney & Barrow £18 |
Very deep colour, brown to rim. Some black fruit on nose. Good fruit and balance: long with elegant development |
6- |
| Peter Lehmann Futures Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) £12 |
Good but not exceptioanl - nearly ready |
5+ |
| Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 1999 (Barossa) 12% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Highbury Vintners £10 |
Deep gold. Little nose. Mature balanced palate with oil; good length finish has lime and pepper |
5 |
| Peter Lehmann Semillon 2005 (Barossa) 11.5% |
CLWS 23.1.08 |
Supermarkets £6 |
Pale yellow. Lanolin nose. Warm fruit, high acidity: reasonable length but not yet in balance |
4 |
| Peter Lehmann Semillon 2004 (Barossa) 11.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
ASDA £6 |
Quitye uyellow. Tropical fruits and oil on nose. Rich palate, with citric acidity and oil: good length, developmetn is just starting. Worth aging. |
5+ |
| Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2001 (Eden Valley) |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £14.99 |
Considerable browning. Mature fruit on nose. Good structure with fruit coming through: long and spicy |
5+ |
| Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2002 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) £30 |
Very good balance, integrated ripe fruit, good length, but no rush to drink (1999 still in shops) |
6+ |
| Lindemans Bin 25 Brut NV (SE Australia) |
ONS 11.12.07 |
Waitrose £6 |
Green/yellow. Ripe fruit. Soft and rather sweet: little length |
3 |
| Majella Shiraz 1997 (Coonawarra) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
Originally £12 |
Quite dark. Minty Shiraz nose. Fruit drying out, leaving acidic stucture. Too old and not very attractive |
4 |
| McGuigan Bellevue Hill Verdello 2006 (SE Australia) 12.5% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
Majestic £4 |
Pale green-yellow. Slightly honeyed nose with tropical fruits. Reasonable balance and fair length but quite staightforward |
4 |
| McGuigan Shiraz/Viognier 2007 (Langhorne Creek) 13.5% |
IWD 20.09.08 |
Tesco £8 |
Dark with purple edge. Violets and apricots on nose. Some tannin over soft fruit: not much length or development |
5- |
| McWilliams Hanwood Estate Riesling 2005 (SE Australia) 12.5% |
ONS 1.2.07 |
ASDA £5 |
Green-gold colour. Not much nose. Simple, coarse and rather acidic - some development coming? |
4 |
| Charles Melton Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Barossa) 14% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
about £25 |
Rather corked and oxidised. Orange rim, moderate colour. Medicinal nose. Flat palate with no Barossa character: short and astringent |
1 |
| Charles Melton Nine Popes 2000 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Oddbins c£25 |
Showing some maturity. Plenty of fruit on nose and palate, with a balanced structure; long, well developed finish. Very nice – needs this sort of age. |
6+ |
| Charles Melton Nine Popes 2001 (Barossa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 7.1.09 |
Waitrose £25 |
Very dark colour. Good black fruit nose. Very rich and well balanced with some length and maturity: big and butch. |
6- |
| Charles Melton Shiraz 2001 (Barossa) 14.5% |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
about £25 |
Moderate colour. Sharp, oaky nose. Palate is not yet in blance, with ripe fruit and citric acidity: fair length, no development. More like a Coonawarra wine. |
5 |
| Miranda Walter Burley Griffin Vineyards Verdelho 2005 (SE Australia) 12.5% |
CLWS 28.2.08 |
about £6.50 |
Pale yellow. Little nose. Tropical fruit with balancing acidity but a rather bitter finish |
3+ |
| Thomas Mitchell Marsanne 2008 (SE Australia) 13.5% |
ONS 4.12.08 |
Oddbins £6.50 |
Green/yellow. Honey and tropical fruit on nose. Honeyed fruit, acidity behind and dominates finish |
3+ |
| Mitolo GAM Shiraz 2003 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
about £34 |
Made by Ben Glaetzer. Good colour. Maturing nose. Very good rich, deep fruit with balancing acidity: complex long finish |
6 |
| Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2004 (McLaren Vale) |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Farr Vintners £8.20 |
Dark to rim. Black fruit on nose. Young and rather chunky, structure is acid rather than tannin. Modest length. |
3 |
| Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (McLaren Vale 2004) 15% |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Huntsworth £30 |
Narrow pale rim. Little nose. Sour and tannic, with some blackcurrent fruit under - not much finish and very strange. Some sort of fault? |
4 |
| Joseph Moda Amarone 2001 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Tesco £20 |
CS/Merlot blend, dried and then fermented. Deep, browning colour. Bitter, dried fruit nose. Indistinct fruits, hard tannins: finish is bitter. Interesting rather than pleasant |
4+ |
| Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) 17% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
about £40+ |
Big! Black colour, ipe fruit on nose. Huge extraction on palate with some tannins and acidity under: finish is long and tannic, but little development. The alcohol is fully integrated. Made for Robert Parker? (99 points) |
6 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 7.8.09 |
|
Two years on, the balance is much better and complexity has increased, with coffee and chocolate notes |
7- |
| Mount Horrocks Watervale Semillon 2007 (Clare Valley) 13.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £12 |
Off dry, with some oily varietal character and length |
5 |
| Noon Eclipse Grenache/Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) 16% |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Julia Jenkins £20 |
Moderate colour with pink edge. Violets, leather and alcohol on nose. Powerful on palate with good depth and bal;ance: quite long but not much development yet |
5+ |
| Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Langhorne Creek) 15% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
thewinehouse.co.uk £21.50 |
Very dark colour. Indistinct black fruits on nose. Very fine tannins overlay fully ripe fruit: long finish - development has eucalyptus, herbs. Will it develop? The notes say age for up to 20 years |
6 |
| Noon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (McLaren Vale) 17% |
HASS 19.2.09 |
Flagship Wines £20+ |
Black-red with a pale rim. Big blackcurrant nose. Ripe fruit, tannins and some acidity: long and powerful but still developing |
6 |
| The Old Gentleman Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
Marks & Spencer £16 |
Reasonable colour. Restrained nose. Smooth palate with rather straightforward ripish fruit balanced by acidity: reasonable length, lacks complexity |
5 |
| O'Leary Walker Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley/McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fortitude (W) £12 |
Soft and fruity, some finish. Ready |
5+ |
| O'Leary Walker Claire Reserve Shiraz 2004 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fortitude (W) |
Subtle nose. Lots of fruit, but astringent through to end. Needs time |
5+ |
| S C Pannell Nebbiolo 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £29 |
Rather pale for a Nebiolo. Some flowers on nose. Palate balanced but rather unexciting |
5- |
| Parker Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) £18 |
Big fruit balanced by acidity rather than tannin, but possible a little green at end |
5 |
| Parker Terra Rossa First Growth 2005 (Coonawarra) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) |
Cabernet/Merlot. Dark colour. Little nose. Ripe fruit and fine tannins: long, undeveloped finish |
6- |
| Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 1998 13.5% |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
|
Good colour, amber to edge. Ripe, leathery nose. Good fruit with some acidity showing: good, mature length. Holding up very well |
5+ |
| Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2004 |
Tes 30.9.07 |
Tesco £10.99 |
Young colour and nose. Quite a good weight of fruit: balanced length. Needs lots of time. |
5 |
| Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1998 |
GCS 24.11.06 |
|
Solid colour. Some tar and violets on nose. High acidity dominates fruit: fair length. Will it come round? |
5 |
| Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 (Adelaide Hills) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) £18 |
Good colour, little nose. Good fruit, but buried under wood tannins: starting to develop a mineral character |
5+ |
| Penfolds Grange 1980 (mainly Barossa Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
about £300 |
6% CS. Solid red, brown on rim. Spicy, leathery aromas. Well balanced palate, with a subtle, complex long finish. Nearly ready. |
7 |
| Penfolds Grange 1981 (mainly Barossa Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
|
89% Shiraz, 11% CS. Possibly slightly oxidised. Deep browning colour. Fully mature on nose. Balanced but lacks fruit and excitement: some length |
5+ |
| Penfolds Grange 1993 (mainly Barossa Valley) 13.5% |
HASS 19.2.09 |
about £150 |
Dark red with terracotta edge. Mature woody nose. A little drying on palate with tannin and acidity overtaking fruit. Elegant but unexciting finish. Could this be just a dumb patch?? |
5+ |
| Penfolds Grange 1995 (mainly Barossa Valley) 13.5% |
GCS 23.6.07 |
|
About 6% CS.Corked. |
1 |
| Penfolds Grange 1996 (mainly Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 12.9.07 |
about £140 |
Rather dull red colour. Dusty, cedar nose, with pepper and ink. Fruit rather backward and palate becoming a little astringent. Nevertheless, the finish is long and shows signs that it will develop further. |
6 |
| Penfolds Grange 1997 (mainly Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
about £100 |
4% CS. Black-red. Rather sour nose. Structured, with a hint of green acidity: rather hollow and astringent on end. |
5 |
| Penfolds Grange 2000 (mainly Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
|
100% Shiraz. Moderate red. Mature nose. Rounded palate with excellent balance: elegant finish, just starting to open. Needs considerable time. |
6+ |
| Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley) 15% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Majestic £45 |
Young black red. Spice and black rfruit. Loads of fruit and acidity: very long but no development yet. Far too young to drink. |
6 |
| Penfold St Henri Shiraz 2004 14.5% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
about £28 |
Moderate, browning colour. Little nose. Restrained palate with some fruit, wood and acidity: some length but little complexity. |
5 |
| Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 1998 |
GCS 24.11.06 |
|
Mature but still plenty of life.Very good balance of fruit and acidity: long, developed finish |
5+ |
| Pertaringa Full Froni NV (McLaren Vale) 18.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £12 |
Fortified red and white muscat, 20 year average solera. Quite rich and sweet, but hot on end |
5 |
| Pertaringa Over the Top Shiraz 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £18 |
New oak. Good rich wine: needs time to absorb oak |
6- |
| Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £18 |
Deep colour. Blackcurrant nose. Good weight of Cabernet Fruit, long and developing - nearly ready |
6 |
| Pertaringa Two Gentlemen's Grenache 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £12 |
Reasonable quality, quite well developed |
5+ |
| Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz 2005 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £12 |
Old vines. Very good fruit and some development. Should improve. Excellent value |
6 |
| Pertaringa Understudy Cabernet/Petit Verdot 2006 (McLaren Vale) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £12 |
80/20 blend. Sturdy and a bit rustic - but good fruit |
5 |
| Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay 2003 (Adelaide Hills) 13.5% |
CLWS 22.11.06 |
Oddbins £15 |
Pale gold. Nose quite oaky. Palate is balanced and quite fat: good length with butter developing. Could take another year or two. |
5 |
| Pewset Vale Riesling 1997 (Eden Valley) 13% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
Current vintage (2007) Oddbins £10 |
Full yellow colour. Strong kerosine nose. Ripe fruit, oil and malic acidity on dry palate: long finish with some development. Perhaps a little hot on end. Classic Oz Riesling , at peak. |
5 |
| Pike & Joyce Pinot Gris 2006 (Adelaide Hills) 12% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
oxfordwine.co.uk £10 |
Water white. Backward nose with some oily hints. Dry with good acidity, but rather thin in middle: quite good length, but more like Pinot Grigio. Young vines? |
4- |
| Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2001 (McLaren Vale) |
HASS 16.8.07 |
Majestic £8.99 |
Solid black colour. Dark fruits on nose, structure a little prominent. Good length, with fruit and mint development. |
5 |
| Primo Estate Joseph la Magia Botrytis Riesling Traminer 2002 (Eden Valley/Coonawarra) 10.5% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
|
Botrytis introduced on indoor racks. Amber gold. Rosewater and orange marmalade on nose. Not very sweet, some fruit and acidity: some length, but a bit hollow and straightforward |
5 |
| Rawnsley Estate Chardonnay 2005 (Hunter/Barossa) 13% |
CLWS 15.4.09 |
Tesco £10 |
Green/yellow. Bread and some spice. Off dry with some fruit and considerable acidity: some oil on finish. OK |
4+ |
| Reschke Fume Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Coonawarra) |
ADT 29/1/09 |
H&H Bancroft (W) £ 12 |
Pale green. Light nose with grass, gooseberries and oak. Restrained, balanced palate: some length |
5- |
| Rockford Winery Basket Press Shiraz 2002 (Barossa Valley) 15.5% |
CLWS 12.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £26 |
Dark red with a pink fringe. Primary fruit aromas. Ripe fruit but still very acidic. Big finish, but needs time to develop. |
6- |
| Rosemount Balmoral Syrah 2002 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 7.7.09 |
about £35 |
Good colour. Nose has mature aromas including resin. Quite tannic and somewhat austere: some length and development but still a little hard on end. Needs time |
5+ |
| Rosemount Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre 2001 (McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley & Langhorne Creek) 14.5% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Sainsbury £13.99 |
Deep colour with some browning. Oak, with cooked fruit under. Hard, tannic palate. Needs more time |
5- |
| Rosemount Show Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 (Coonawarra) 13.5% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
about £14? |
Pink and brown on fringe. Mature oaky nose with some fruit. Very fine tannins, good mature fruit: good development and finish. About ready |
5+ |
| Rosemount Show Reserve Shiraz 2001 (McLaren Vale etc) 14.5% |
GCS 23.6.07 |
|
Good colour. Mature nose. Good fruit, but tannins rather hard, and starting to dominate finish. Too old |
5- |
| St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 1993 (Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Originally Tesco £16 – 2004 c£20 |
Bright colour. Oak on nose, and predominates fruit on palate. Relatively light style, but with a good finish |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
HASS 19.2.09 |
|
This bottle had a broad fringe. Mature nose with a hint of mould. Mature palate showing some signs of drying out |
5- |
| St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 2001 (Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
about £20 |
Pale fringe. Violets and leather on nose. Good balance, but lacks concentration. Moderate finish, with some spicy development, but needs some more time. |
5- |
| St Hallett Poachers Blend 2006 |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Oddbins £10 |
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling. Pale colour. Oily nose. Commercial palate. |
4+ |
| St Hallett Sainsbury's Barossa Shiraz 2006 |
IWD 23.08.08 |
Sainsbury £8.99 |
Purple, pink edge. Some fruit on nose. Good fruit with high acidity: modest finish |
4+ |
| Schild Estate Riesling 2007 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29/1/09 |
H&H Bancroft (W) £ 12 |
Yellow hints. Oily nose. Off dry with some fruit and an oily texture; some length. Needs time |
5- |
| Schwarz Nitschke Block Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 28.2.07 |
Noel Young £20 |
Very dark. Ripe nose has leather, fruit and flowers. Sweet porty palate with fruit overpowering structure: moderate length, just starting to develop. Possibly too little structure for long aging |
5+ |
| Schwarz Thiele Road Grenache 2003 (Barossa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 11.2.09 |
Caviste £20+ |
Reasonable depth of colour, some browning. Baked Aussie nose. Very ripe fruit, oak tannins, rich , long and complex with a meaty, spicy finish |
6 |
| Seppeltsfield Cellar No 7 Tawny NV (Barossa Valley) 18% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) £12 |
Shiraz/Grenache. Rather tannic and bitter on end |
4 |
| Seppeltsfield Cellar No 9 Muscat NV (Rutherglen) 16.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) |
Good varietal character: well balanced sweet palate, long and warm on end |
6- |
| Seppeltsfield Grand Muscat NV (Barossa Valley) 17% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) £12 |
Good sweet grape attack, but very hoty on end |
5 |
| Seppeltsfield Para Liqueur Grand 10 yo Tawny (Barossa Valley) 19.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Negociants UK (W) £18 |
Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre. 1987 vintage. Rather restrained fruit character, and astringent on finsih |
5- |
| Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay 2006 (Adelaide Hills) 13.5% |
CLWS 12.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £17 |
Moderate colour. Oak and exotic fruits on nose, very young and oaky on palate – lime acidity. Quite long but undeveloped. Needs time. |
5- |
| Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2003 (Adelaide Hills) 14% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
|
Black-red. Deep, peppery nose. Great power and depth with some complexity on finish. |
5+ |
| Skillogalee Liqueur Muscat NV (Clare Valley) 18.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria £18 |
Mid amber. Delicate, flowery nose. Good fruit and structure with a hint of alcohol on end |
6 |
| Skillogalee Shiraz 2005 (Clare Valley) 14.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria £18 |
Very good, rich, minty palte with further development to come |
6 |
| Skillogalee The Cabernets 2004 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria £18 |
24 months in new French oak. Still young and tight on palate, but plenty of fruit and lengh |
6- |
| John Speke GSM - The Colonial Estate 2005 (Barossa) 15.5% |
GCS 7.8.09 |
Huntsworth £45 |
Broad pale edge. Some black fruit aromas. Unbalanced paalte with fruit and high acidity: some development but not very interesting |
5 |
| Spinifex Esprit 2002 (Barossa Valley) 14.5% |
ONS 7.5.09 |
|
36% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, 24% Cinsault, 10% Mourvedre, Dark colour with an over-ripe Shiraz nose - mint and pepper. Very rich fruit, balancing acidity: long, but still rather hard on end |
6- |
| Spinifex Indigene 2001 (Barossa Valley) |
CLWS 23.5.07 |
Bordeaux Index £25 |
Mataro (Mourvedre) 60%, Shiraz 40%. Black-red. Slightly medicinal nose. Angular acidity, not much tannin, savoury rather than fruity: well balanced and quite long. |
5+ |
| Spinifex Lola 2005 (Barossa Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
David Thomas (W) £12.50 |
Marsanne 50%, Ugni Blanc 27%, Grenache Gris 23%. Pale colour. Hints of apricot and oil. Ripe tropical fruit with quite high acidity: fair length with further fruit aromas developing. Needs time or food |
5 |
| Stonehaven Sangiovese 2003 (Limestone Coast) 14% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
|
Modest red with some browing on fringe. Red fruits on nose. Good fruit and structure, with spice development and quite long |
5 |
| Stonier Chardonnay 2004 (Mornington Peninsula) 13.5% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Sainsbury £9.99 |
Quite grassy with oak hints. Crisp palate, with honeyed fruit under: some floral and mineral charcter, but finish is rather short and hot |
4+ |
| Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 2002 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
MENSA 12.8.07 |
Majestic £14.99 |
Black. Rich, meaty and leather nose. Intense, well balanced and long. |
6+ |
| Tempus 2 Merlot 2005 (Barossa) 14% |
IWD 19.7.08 |
Tesco £13 |
12 months in French oak. Good colour, but not much nose. Ripe fruit, possibly lacking a little structure, but good length and very drinkable |
5 |
| Tesco Old Vines Shiraz 2004 (Barossa) |
HASS 17.10.08 |
Tesco |
Good colour. Some shiraz nose. Ripe, quite rich fruit, with a tarry character, but green acidity under, especially on finish. Rather crude |
4+ |
| Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Ridge Quartage 2004 (Barossa Valley) 14% |
CLWS 1.10.08 |
Lea & Sandeman £12.50 |
Cabernet dominated blend. Black red with a pale edge.Black fruit and oak on nose. Ripe fruit under oak tannins, some acidity in middle palate. Very long finish, with mint, pepper and some alcohol - quite refined. |
6- |
| Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £9 |
Good colour and leathery nose, but rather thin and hard on palate |
4+ |
| Thorn-Clarke William Randell Shiraz 2004 (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £18 |
Good colour. Oaky nose. Rich palate with ripe fruit and vanilla: good depth and length with some development |
6 |
| Tintara Reserve Shiraz 2000 (McLaren Vale) |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
Swig £30 |
Some browning. Farmyard hints. Rich round slightly cooked fruit, excellently balanced by structure. Good length with some mint and coffee |
6 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 9.09.08 |
Swig £32 |
Fully mature colour. Leather and vegetabl;es on nose, fruit going, some length. Either maturing very rapidly, or an inferior bottle |
5- |
| Torbreck Marananga Dam 2005 (Barossa) 14.5% |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Marks & Spencer £10 |
Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre. Deep red. Shiraz nose. Rich fruit, good structure: developing finish |
5+ |
| Torbreck Marananga Dam Old Vines Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2005 (Barossa) 14.5% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Some browning. Jammy fruit. Off-dry, lacks structure. Finish goes straight from fruit to alcohol. Slightly oxidised? |
4 |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 24.6.09 |
|
Better bottle. Blalanced structure with ripe fruit, long spicy finish, slightly hot at end |
5+ |
| Turkey Flat Pedro Ximenez NV (Barossa Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Metzendorff (W) £18 HB |
Pink/amber colour. Raisin nose. Very sweet with balancing acidity |
5+ |
| Two Hands Bull and Bear 2003 (Barossa) 13% |
IWD 19.1.08 |
Handford £25 |
Shiraz + CS. Reasonable depth of colour. Light Shiraz nose. Palate rather thin, lacking fruit and structure, so alcohol rather prominent.: not much development |
5- |
| Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) £18 |
Good blackcurrant nose. Ripe fruit overlaid with tannin: very good quality but needs time |
5+ |
| Wakefield St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) |
Still tight and oaky - little development or opening yet |
5 |
| Wakefield St Andrews Shiraz 2003 (Clare Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Stratfords (W) |
Black fruit on nose. Still tight with oak tannins on palate covering masses of fruit |
5+ |
| Willunga 100 Grenache 2006 (McLaren Vale) 14.5% |
CLWS 1.10.08 |
Sainsbury £8 |
Moderate red colour. Red fruits and some spice. Lots of fruit, some tannin: some finish, mainly alcohol and acidity |
4+ |
| Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay 2005 14% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Majestic £12 |
Yellow. Strong oak and honey on nose. Rich, oily, honeyed palate: good weight and length, with butter on end. |
5+ |
| Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet 2004 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) £18 |
Hints of browning on rim. Blackcurrant fruit. Good fruit and structure: some weight and finish, with development starting |
5+ |
| Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2005 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) £18 |
Full colour. Little nose. Restrained fruit and good balance: quite elegant, moderate finish |
5+ |
| Wolf Blass President's Selection Shiraz 2004 14.5% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Majestic £12.99 |
Good depth of colour. Flowers and mint on nose. Ripe fruit with good balance and length: tannin astringency on middle, with some development at the end. Needs time |
5+ |
| Wolf Blass Red Label Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir 11% |
ONS 1.2.07 |
ASDA £6 |
Gold colour, abundent mousse. Bread on nose. Quite soft, lacks acidity and finish |
4+ |
| Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay 2005 13.5% |
CLWS 3.1.07 |
Morrisons £6 |
Lots of oak and ripe fruit, but little finish. |
4+ |
| Wynn's Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 14% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Majestic £10 |
Deep colour, little fringing. Mature nose with blackcurrants and wood. Rounded and balanced, with good length. Near peak. |
5+ |
| Wynn's Coonawarra John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) |
Deep colour with some browning., Strong blackcurrant nose: maturing ripe fruit with some tannins: very long and complex |
6+ |
| Wynn's Coonawarra Michael Shiraz 2003 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Fosters (W) |
Black-red. Some black fruit aromas. Good depth of fruit with balancing acidity: developing, luscious finish |
6 |
| Wynn's Coonawarra Shiraz 2001 14% |
IWD 14.2.09 |
Majestic £7 |
Good colour. Not much nose. Rounded with ripe fruit, good maturity and length. Ready |
5 |
| Yalumba Octavius 2004 (Eden Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Milroys £48 |
Black, purple on edge. Flowers, leather and oak on nose. Rich but delicately balanced palate; very young and tight on finish. Needs years |
6+ |
| Yalumba Single Site Swingbridge Shiraz 2005 (Eden Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Milroys £29 |
Solid colour. Black fruit, flowers, tar on nose. Very rich ripe palate balanced by acidity: big, undeveloped finish, possibly ending too hot? |
6- |
| Yalumba Viognier 2008 14.5% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Waitrose £7.50 |
Rather thin, flat and dry |
3 |
| Yalumba Y Viognier 2006 13.5% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
Supermarkets £5-7 |
Good clean fruit, with some varietal character. Modest length |
4- |
| Yalumba Y Viognier 2007 13.5% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Majestic £7.49 |
Pale colour. Some apricots on nose. Good fruit, with adequate structure and some length |
4+ |
| Yalumba Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2005 (Eden Valley) 14% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Flagship Wines £10.50 |
Pale gold. Nose is mostly oak, with a lot of bottle stink. Badly balanced, with chunks of over-ripe tropical fruit, coarsetannins and acidity. Not very pleasant. |
3 |
| Yellowtail Verdelho 2005 (SE Australia) 13% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Morrisons £4.49 |
Bright gold. Slightly perfumed nose. Off dry, ripe fruit, hard acidity. Commercial |
3+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Tasmania |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Apsley Gorge Pinot Noir 2005 (Bicheno) 14% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £18 |
Reasonable cool country Pinot character. Riper fruit than Burgundy, but not much development yet. |
5+ |
| Domaine A Stoney Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Coal River Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £18 |
Very pale greeen. Grass and gooseberry on nose. Young, fresh palate with some concentration and length |
5 |
| Jansz Sparkling Rosé NV 12.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £11 |
Party pink. Considerable sweetnes, but more serious Pinot tastes under |
4+ |
| Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2005 13.5% |
CLWS 8.4.09 |
Mill Hill Wines £10 |
Light colour and fruit nose. Bitter cherries on palate - reasonably long and elegant |
5 |
| Pipers Brook Vineyard Pinot Noir 2001 |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Flagship Wines £14.99 |
Pale colour. Hints of oak and red fruits. Semi-ripe, like a cool-year Burgundy. Good strucutre with oak, rather thin finish. |
4+ |
| Pirie South Pinot Noir 2006 13.5% |
CLWS 2.9.09 |
Majestic £12 |
Dull red. Some strawberry. Rather green and austere, some length and development |
4+ |
| Tamar Ridge Devil's Corner Riesling 2007 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Awin Barratt Siegel (W) £9 |
Off dry with some Riesling character, but fairly commercial |
4+ |
| Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Riesling 2008 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Awin Barratt Siegel (W) £12 |
Little varietal character as yet - sharp lemon acidity through palate |
5- |
| Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Botrytis Riesling 2006 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Awin Barratt Siegel (W) £12 |
Yellow. Botrytis and petrol on nose. Rich, apricots and marmalade character. Delicious |
6+ |
| Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir 2007 |
CLWS 8.4.09 |
Marks & Spencer £8 |
Pale. Nose has oak and cherries. Palate is crude and thin, with red fruit dominated by acidity |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Victoria |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Best's Great Western Bin 0 Shiraz 2000 (Grampians) 14% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Fareham Wines £19 |
Good colour. Flowers and leather on nose. Very smooth, ripe palate with spicy, peppery length |
6- |
| Brown Brothers Late Harvested Muscat 2004 11% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Morrisons £6 |
Moderate colour. Some nose. Semi-sweet commercial style. |
4 |
| Brown Brothers Late Harvested Muscat 2006 11% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Majestic £6 |
Pale gold. Cooked grapes on nose. Medium sweet, some acidity but little length or development |
4+ |
| Brown Brothers Tempranillo 2004 (Heathcote etc) 14% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Everywine (W) £6.70 |
Considerable browning. Cooked fruit nose. Palate is rather drying: spicy, medicinal tones and alcohol on finish |
4 |
| Buller Fine Old Muscat NV 18% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Majestic £10 |
Dark brown. Nuts and cooked grapes on nose and palate. Unctiously sweet, good acidity: finish has structure and nuts. |
5+ |
| Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV (Rutherglen) |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Waitrose £7.59 HB |
Amber with brown rim. Nuts and raisins on nose. Unctious, with good acidity: some development on finish. |
5 |
| Crawford River Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £18 |
Ripe fruit and good structure: long finish with some development |
5+ |
| Deakin Estate Merlot 2006 |
ONS 4.12.08 |
Oddbins £5 |
Moderate colour, broad pale rim. Damson nose. Soft, overripe fruit lacking structure, concentration and length |
3+ |
| De Bortoli Sero Syrah/Tempranillo 2005 (King Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
southdowncellars.co.uk £9 |
Moderate red. Fruit drop nose. Slightly spritzig, with fresh fruit and high acidity: bitter, hot finish - quite long but rather unpleasant |
3 |
| Gapsted Petit Manseng 2004 (King Valley) 13% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Stratford Wine £9.99 |
Yellow gold colour. Nose has apples and butter. Oily palate, with some acidity and ripe fruit - quite intense on finish. |
4+ |
| Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2004 (Yarra Valley) 14% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Fareham Wines £12 |
Modest colour. Smokey nose. Some fruit and acidity but a bit thin. |
4 |
| Giant Steps Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir 2008 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £12 |
Light colour. Strawberry nose. Rather thin and lacks any development. Young vines? |
4 |
| Giant Steps Sexton Harry's Monster 2006 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £18 |
Cabernet/Merlot/Petit Verdot. Not a monster, in fact quite light. Tannins still firm |
5 |
| Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £18 |
Some colour, but backward nose and tight palate - fruit barely showing |
5- |
| Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Merlot 2007 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £18 |
Solid colour. Little nose. Tight tannins and a rather rustic finish |
5- |
| Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Shiraz 2005 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Loeb (W) £18 |
Deep colour. Some dark fruit aromas. Ripe fruit with some prominent tannins: good length |
5+ |
| Green Point Heathcote Shiraz 2006 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Moet Hennessy (W) £12 |
Young and very powerful, starting to develop. Could be excellent |
6- |
| Green Point Reserve Shiraz 2004 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Moet Hennessy (W) £18 |
Black red. Backward nose. Maturing fruit with a covering of tannin: finish is very long and developing, with som elegance |
6- |
| Greenstone Shriaz 2006 (Heathcote) 13.5% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
The Sampler £14 |
Good colour. Some leather on nose. Palate is a little thin and green (second vintage), with sandpaper tannins: not that long |
4+ |
| Lost Valley Winery Cortese 2004 (Upper Goulburn Valley) 14% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Oddbins £12.99 |
Sweet nose, rather neutral on palate, some pepper on finish but not very exciting |
4 |
| Mac Forbes Barbera 2004 (King Valley) 13.5% |
IWD 29.9.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £16 |
Good Italian and varietal character. Full colour. Fruit and meat on nose. Good fruit and high acidity through to finish. Should develop. |
5 |
| Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Pinot Noir 2005 (Yarra Valley) 13.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Philglas & Swiggot £30 |
Quite pale. Strawberry and farmyard aromas. Quite ripe fruit, but the acidity and oak tannins are still prominent: some length, hints of development, but a little hot on end. |
5+ |
| Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2004 (Grampians) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) £30 |
Ripe fruit but still woody on palate: moderate density, long finish |
5+ |
| Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2005 (Grampians) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Enotria (W) £30 |
Integrated intense ripe fruit on attack, still some astringency on finish |
6- |
| Mount Mary Quintet 1999 (Yarra Valley) 12.5% |
GCS 7.8.09 |
Bibendum £70 |
Bordeaux blend. Mature colour, brack fruit hints. Light, balanced paalte with fine oak tannins: subtle but quite complex finish of very good length |
6 |
| Red Bank The Anvil Shiraz 2002 (Heathcote) |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Flagship Wines £20 |
Big deep red. Red fruits and leather on nose. Lots of fine tannins with ripe fruit under: powerful finish also still rather structured. Needs a lot of time. |
5+ |
| Rutherglen Estates Shiraz Viognier 2005 (Rutherglen) 14.5% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Bottle Green £7 |
Dark red, pale rim. Violets and ripe fruit on nose. Lots of ripe fruit, acidity under: warm, leathery, vegetal finish |
5 |
| Scotchman's Hill Pinot Noir 2006 (Geelong) 14% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Majestic £12 |
Moderate colour. Oak on nose. Fruit dominated by structure at this stage, but has a good length. Will improve |
5+ |
| Shelmerdine Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Heatcote) 14.5% |
CLWS 27.2.08 |
australianwinesonline.co.uk £10.50 |
Bright red, with a pale edge. Young blackcurrant nose. Good fruit and fine oak tannins, with fresh acidity: fair length,with mineral hints, but not integrated yet |
5- |
| Shelmerdine PHI Lustasia Park Sauvignon Blanc 2007 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £20+ |
Very restrined initially, but distinguished, if very young on the palate. Excellent but needs time |
6- |
| Shelmerdine Pinot Noir 2004 (Yarra Valley) 12.5% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
The Wine Barrel £10.75 |
Clean red fruits with a hint of mint. Ripe fruit but rather green acidity: warm and astringent on end |
4+ |
| Shelmerdine Viognier 2007 (Yarra Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £12 |
Not much nose, and restrained palate. Might open. |
4+ |
| Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 (Ngambie Lakes) |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
about £22 |
Blended with Cabernet Franc, Shiraz & Malbec. Youn g looking, Blackcurrant and spice on nose. Over-ripe fruit, oak tannins and good acidity: good length with spice starting to develop. |
6 |
| Tahbilk Marsanne 2006 (Goulburn) 13% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Wine Rack £7 |
Clean. varietal, but commercial |
4 |
| Tahbilk 1860 Vines Shiraz 2001 (Goulburn Valley) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Ehrmanns (W) £42 |
Black red. Subtle flowery nose. Good depth of fruit, good balance and immense length, with complex development |
6+ |
| Taltarni T series Shiraz 2005 (Pyrenees) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Boutinot (W) £7 |
Rather raw, but some depth. Nearly ready |
5- |
| Ten Minutes by Tractor 10X Chardonnay 2006 (Mornington Peninsula) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
H&H Bancroft (W) £15 |
Moderate yellow. Strongly oaky. Oil on palate with some length and development |
5 |
| Ten Minutes by Tractor Chardonnay 2005 (Mornington Peninsula) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
H&H Bancroft (W) £20 |
Pale yellow. Bread and vanilla on nose. Elegant palate, with good structure and oak notes on end |
6 |
| Ten Minutes by Tractor Wallis Chardonnay 2006 (Mornington Peninsula) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
H&H Bancroft (W) £22 |
Pale yellow. Backward nose. Again elegant, but dominated by oak at this stage |
6- |
| Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2001 (Heathcote) 15.5% |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
Flagship Wines, St Albans £24 |
Considerable signs of aging. Not much fruit, rather astringent on palate. Breaking up on finish. Too old |
4 |
| Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2004 (Yarra Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 11.3.09 |
Berry Brothers £35 |
Black red. Strong, maturing aromas - leather, spice and vegetation. Strong ripe taste and structure, very long and with plenty of potential to develop. |
6 |
| Yering Station Marsanne Viognier Marsanne 2004 (Yarra Valley) 13.5% |
CLWS 14.2.07 |
Everywine (W) £14.30 |
Slightly spritzig. Creamy nose. Palate rather thin, with green acidity: finish rather hollow. |
4 |
| Yering Station MVR 2005 (Yarra Valley) 14% |
CLWS 15.4.09 |
Tesco £14 |
Pale green. Hints of apricot on nose. Rather neutral palate, short and hot |
4- |
| Yering Station MVR 2006 (Yarra Valley) 13% |
IWD 30.1.08 |
Tesco £6 |
Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier blend. Clean pale colour. Some apricot on nose. Well structured with some fruit: good length |
4+ |
| Yering Station Pinot Noir 2003 (Yarra Valley) 14% |
IWD 21.7.07 |
Majestic £10 |
Rather confected, lacks structure |
3+ |
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| Western Australia |
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| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Cape Mentelle Cabernet Merlot 2004 (Margaret River) 13% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Majestic £12 |
Moderate colour. Slightly green nose. Acidity and tannin dominate ripe fruit. Fair length but little development |
5 |
| Cape Mentelle Cabernet Merlot 2006 (Margaret River) 14% |
CLWS 13.08.08 |
Majestic £13 |
Dark red with pale edge. Stalky & mature fruit aromas. Tastes of Cabernet Franc, with green tannins: quite long with a dry finish |
4+ |
| Cape Mentelle Semillon Sauvignon 2005 (Margaret River) 13.5% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Majestic £11 |
Pale young colour. Hints of grass on nose. Off dry, balanced palate: fair length but little development |
4+ |
| Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2005 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Moet Hennessy (W) £18 |
Soft and subtle on front, but still some astringent structure on finish |
5+ |
| Clairault Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Margaret River) 12.5% |
CLWS 16.7.08 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Pale green. Strong gooseberry nose. Dry, some fruit, good acidity, modest finish |
4+ |
| Clairault Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Margaret River) 12% |
HASS 6.8.09 |
Marks & Spencer £9.99 |
Pale colour. Strong gooseberry nose. Well balanced ripe palate with good length |
5 |
| Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet/Merlot 2006 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £20+ |
Some fruit, but overpowered by tannic and acidic structure at presnt. Good length |
5 |
| Cullen Mangan Vineyard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Margaret River ) 13.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Philglas & Swiggot £17 |
Pale colour. Restrained grassy nose. Goosebreey fruit on palate, aplle acidity: astringent and rather simple on finish. Should improve |
4+ |
| Cullen Mangan Red 2006 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Liberty £20+ |
Complex, fruity palate overlaid with astringency through to end. Needs lots of time |
5+ |
| Evans & Tate Margaret River Shiraz 2005 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
HwCg (W) £12 |
More European style than South Australian wines - elegant fruit, acidic structure, good length |
5 |
| Garlands Shiraz 2002 (Mount Barker) 13.5% |
HASS 18.1.07 |
Mill Hill Wines £14.99 |
Deep colour. Leather and violets on nose. Rich palate, possibly a little backward, with good quality structure |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
CLWS 11.9.07 |
|
This bottle was rather more developed. Reasonable colour. Very French, peppery nose. Refined fruit, good acidity, but a bit thin in the middle. Long and quite elegant – more like Syrah |
5+ |
| Hardy's Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Margaret River) 13.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Constellation (W) £40 |
Good weight and balance - ripe fruit through to finish - good length. Ready |
5+ |
| Hill-Smith Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Margaret River) 14% |
CLWS 17.1.07 |
Tesco £8.99 |
Good colour. Ripe b/c fruit on nose and palate, with fine tannins: a little hot on finish – ready |
5 |
| Hill-Smith Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Margaret River) 14% |
CLWS 26.3.08 |
Tesco £8 |
Good depth of colour. Leafy blackcurrant nose. Good fruit, with strong structure - not well integrated yet. Moderate length with little development. Young and a little green |
4+ |
| Houghton Jack Mann 2000 |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Constellation (W) £50 |
Cabernet/Malbec. Rounded, with ripe fruit and tannins under: some maturity notes on long finish |
6 |
| Howard Park Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Bibendum £12 |
Strong gooseberry nose, but rather short in mouth |
4 |
| Howard Park Riesling 2007 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Bibendum £12 |
Some yellow colour. Soapy nose. Very dry, good oily character, but undeveloped on end |
5- |
| Ironstone Zinfandel 2003 15.5% |
IWD 19.5.07 |
Majestic £9 |
Deep colour. Berry fruits on nose. Intense fruit with adequate strucutre: long finish just starting to develop. |
6 |
| Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Merlot 2003 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Domaine Direct (W) £18 |
Some new oak. Unexciting, nearly ready |
5- |
| Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Domaine Direct (W) |
Deep colour. New oak and blackcurrants on nose. Dense ripe fruit and structure - long and srtarting to develop. |
6 |
| McHenry Hohnen 3 Amigos GSM 2006 (Margaret River) 14% |
CLWS 30.9.09 |
Flagship Wines £12 |
Modest colour. Not much nose. Fruit and acidity on the attack, but rather thin in middle and astrigent on end |
4 |
| Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (Margaret River) |
ONS 11.12.07 |
about £30 |
Some browning. Blackcurrants, vegetation, spice and oak on nose. Restrained palate with tannins blancing good fruit: long, complex finish with mint appearing. |
6 |
| Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Margaret River) 14.5% |
CLWS 5.11.08 |
Milroys £40 |
Deep hue, brown on rim. Spicy oak and blackcurrant on nose. Smooth black fruit, well balanced with acidity and tannin: intense finish. Needs time |
6 |
| Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Semillon/Sauvignon 2008 (Margaret River) 13.5% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Laytons (W) £12 |
Off dry, showing a Sauvignon character with some Semillon weight, but only moderate length |
5- |
| Moss Wood Semillon 2007 (Margaret River) 14% |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Laytons (W) £12 |
Off dry, with a varietal oily palate and good length |
5+ |
| Plantagenet Omrah Cabernet/Merlot 2002 (Mount Barker) 14% |
HASS 19.2.09 |
Helen Verdcourt £10 |
Black-red with a brown rim. Faint hint of black fruit on nose. Palate has cooked fruit and tannin, with some length but little resolution or development. Second bottle even more closed. Needs lots of time. |
5- |
| Plantagenet Omrah Shiraz 2002 (Mount Barker) 14.5% |
ONS 1.3.07 |
Helen Verdcourt £10 |
Deep colour, some browning. Flowers and some leather on nose. Well balanced in a cool county style, with acid on structure: still developing. Try in two years |
5 |
| - ditto - |
GCS 23.6.07 |
|
This bottle had not been kept as well: noted as structured and elderly |
4- |
| Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Margaret River) 14% |
CLWS 15.4.09 |
Tesco £8 |
Modest colour. Light blackcurrant nose. Ripe fruit with balancing strucutre, but little length or excitement |
4 |
| Stella Bella Sleeping Dog Lies 2006 12.5% |
IWD 19.1.08 |
Oddbins £8 |
Sauvignon/Semillon blend. Full yellow colour. Warm nose. Slightly cooked fruit, reasonable acidity but alcoholic on end |
4- |
| Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Margaret River) |
ADT 29.1.09 |
Alliance (W) £18 |
Good depth of colour and fruit: starting to open up into an attractive, concntrated and complex wine |
6- |
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