Sniff Swirl Sip

Grant Burge - Barossa Merlot - 2004

2006-09-06T20:00:00.000+10:00

Barossa Valley - Australia
$15 - First Choice Toowong

Grant Burge is now one of the top 10 privately owned wine companies in Australia. Grant Burge is a commited Barossa producer. With an amazing range of wines ranging from world class $100 bottles to $10 dazzlers Grant Burge is everything an Australian winery should be and more. Perfection.

Looks
Deep red, slightly purple edges.
Smells
Plummy, dark cherry, wet folliage and slightly creamy mocha wood.
Taste
Smooth and maybe a touch thin. Sweet red fruits.
Conclusion
Fabulous merlot. The drible of added Cab Sauv gives this wine some depth and complexity. This for me is a real winner merlot.

7 /10

Boireann - The Lurnea - Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot - 2005

2006-09-06T19:10:00.000+10:00

Granite Belt - Australia
Cellar Door Boireann
One of the vineyards I visited a few month ago. I found all the Boireann wines out standing. The hardest thing is keeping my hands off them.

Looks
Deep red, slightly purply edges.
Smells
Quite meaty wine. Blackcurrent jam. Woody cigar box.
Taste
Earthy, big dark fruit. Bold but rounded tannins. More blackcurrent with twiggy wood.
Conclusion
Great wine wish I could just keep my mits of it. Young but sumptuous.

7.5 /10

Gabbiano - Chianti - 2005

2006-09-06T18:59:00.000+10:00

Tuscany - Italy
$17 - Firstchoice Toowong
A traditional blend of primarily Sangiovese grapes, but also includes small amounts of Canaiolo, Trebbiano, and Colorino grapes. The DOCG means this Chianti meets the winemaking standards set by Italian law and guaranteeing that the wine is produced using the highest quality of traditional winemaking methods.

Looks
Ruby red.
Smells
Cherry. Coffee grinds. Burnt wood or charcoal. Earthy spices.
Taste
Juicy blackcurrent, smokey wood, vegital with good length. Well rounded.
Conclusion
Very enjoyable wine but not classic

6.5 /10

Dr L - Riesling - 2004

2006-09-06T18:52:00.000+10:00

Bernkastel - Germany
$19 - First choice
When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines.

Looks
Pale straw with green hints
Smells
Chalky, sherbet lemon. Slightly grassy and floral.
Taste
Elderflower or barley cordial. Tastes almost fizzy. Citrusy but without the acidic tang. More sweet.
Conclusion
Very good riesling. I prefer more tang but this is bursting with character.

6.5 /10

Torres - Coronas Tempranilllo - 2003

2006-09-06T18:42:00.000+10:00

Barcelona - Spain
First Choice
A confortable and confident mix of 86% Tempranillo and 14% Cab Sauv.

Looks
Dark red slightly brown.
Smells
Dusty spiced wood. Plummy cherry
Taste
A more earthy fruit taste. Blackberries - hints of liquorice, as fruit fades.
Conclusion
This is another wine that makes me even more interested in tempranillo. Great wine.

6.5 /10

Marques de Caceres - Rioja - 2002

2006-09-06T18:30:00.000+10:00

Rioja - Spain
Gift - First Choice Toowong
Made from mainly tempranillo, with a splerge of Garnacha Tinta and Graciano this wine has seen both French and American oak.

Looks
Burgundy, cherry edges.
Smells
Dusty leather. Dried fruit. Slightly tarry casis esq.
Taste
Christmas cake. Oaky, dark, stewed fruit and plums.
Conclusion
Good basic alrounder. But nothing outstanding. Too currenty for my tastes.

5 /10

Yalumba - Bush Vine Grenache - 2004

2006-09-06T18:14:00.000+10:00

Barossa Valley - Australia
First Choice - Toowong
I first had this wine a year ago in the UK and thought it was fantastic. When i got to Australia I couldn't find it anywhere - until now. Sourced from Yalumba's low yielding old bush vines. Some upto 70 years old.

Looks
Deep, purply red.
Smells
Red fruit, cherries a touch of plum. Earthy, like compost from a bag.
Taste
Creamy lolly esq fruit. Very smooth. Some spice as the frujit subsides. Great length
Conclusion
I still cant get enough of this wine, smooth yet big and fruity.

7.5 /10

Wolf Blass Gold Label - Cab Sav, Cab Franc, Merlot - 2004

2006-08-13T15:25:00.000+10:00

Adelaide Hills - Australia
Gift - Dan Murphy
The three native grapes of Bordeaux. The grapes were sourced through-out the Adalaide hills each parcel was fermented seperatelly in open fermenters then in seasoned french oak. After racking the wine was returned to French oak before blending and bottling.

Looks
Very dark red, with purply edges.
Smells
Blackcurrent, rasberry, twiggy earthyness. Minty edges with a syntheticy plasticy smell
Taste
More blackcurrent and barky twiginess. Some bold acids and a chemically taste, similar to superglue (strange)
Conclusion
Big, fruit, bold acid good wine

6 /10

Maglieri - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2004

2006-08-13T14:44:00.000+10:00

McLaren Vale - Australia
Kemmenys - Part of a boxed set
This Mclaren Vale winery was founded by Giovanni Maglieri and his son Steve in 1965. Starting with 40 acres of scrub the two native Italians cleared and planted Maglieri. Originaly named Gully Wines, it was re-christened Maglieri in 1977. With the help of their wine maker John Loxton who joined the ranks in 1981 they have become one of most respected producers in the McLaren Vale.

Looks
Deep, dark red
Smells
Spicy wood, slightly earthy. Dark cherry. Hints of a slightly plasticy arylic smell.
Taste
Big fruit more than the nose would give. Succulent cherry with hints of coffee in the finish.
Conclusion
Very good bold fruity but strapped with firm tannins.

7.5 /10

Jamiesons Run - Cabernet Shiraz Merlot - 2003

2006-08-06T16:02:00.000+10:00

Coonawarra - Australia
$17 - McGuires Taringa
Jamiesons Run is another Coonawarra estate. Named after the original 'Jamiesons Run' a remote outback sheep station. Their cabernet, shiraz, merlot has seen over 2 years in both French and American oak and all the fruit was sourced from Coonawarra.

Looks
Dark ruby
Smells
Blackcurrent. Mint. With an earth, vegitalness.
Taste
Smooth, round dark fruits. Cherry with a slightly peppery finish
Conclusion
This wine is great. Simple yet big and fruity.

6.5 /10

Wynns - Coonawarra Estate - Riesling 2002

2006-08-06T15:45:00.000+10:00

Coonawarra - Australia
$16 - McGuires Taringa
Wynns is Coonawarra's oldest winery. It was first planted in 1891 by John Riddoch. Coonawarra is famed for its soil. It has a thin of red earth ("terra rossa") lying over limestone.

Looks
Crisp pale yellow
Smells
Minty floral tones, honey dew melon
Taste
Very light citrus flavour slightly sherberty.
Conclusion
Not a great deal to this wine. Very drinkable but it seemed to lack the citrussy tang that I enjoy in Riesling.
5 /10

St Hallet - Faith Shiraz - 2004

2006-08-06T15:19:00.000+10:00

Barossa - Australia
$15 - McGuires Taringa
St Hallet is a Barossa based winery, although they are one of Barossa's oldest wine producers their roots lie in Fortified wines. In the late 80s they had a 'rebearth' and re-phocused on high quality wines. All their grapes are sourced from the Barossa alone.

Looks
Dark, purply red.
Smells
Black current, black cherries, coffee grinds. A slightly vegital edge with floral hints (smells a little of Palmo Violets)
Taste
Big and bold but silky smooth. More cherry and hints of blackberry.
Conclusion
Great wine big, fruity shiraz. Excetional value.

7.5 /10

Penfolds Clinic - Brisbane

2006-07-26T20:57:00.000+10:00

Today I was fortunate enough to tag along to a Penfolds Clinic.The clinic is an opportunity for those lucky enough to have Penfolds wines over 15 years old to have their bottles opened, sampled, tested and if necessary topped up and resealed.

Penfolds seem to have an aura of class, quality and professionalism and the clinic was no exception. The Treasury Hotel was host and the Penfolds room was decked out with all white walls and rows of crisply clothed white tables, bustled over by white apronned Penfolds staff.

The bottles (all ‘84 Grange) were taken from us and studied in great detail, one bottle was deemed to be perfect and was given back, whilst the wine level in the others was sitting lower. These wines were then opened. Even the opening was done with great skill. The foil cap was scrapped off with a rather expensive looking knife and the cork was removed using two very long corkscrews. Each cork once withdrawn seemed to disintegrate it was incredible to see how far up the cork the wine had got after sitting for over 20 years. The wine neck was flushed out with innert gas and quickly resealed with a temporary cork.

The wine man the poured a large class and took a good swig. The remainder of the glass was passed around (to my joy) and we were given his thoughts. All our wines were perfect. The wines were then resealed, refoiled and even gift wrapped in 2006 ‘wine clinic’ paper.

I found the whole experience fascinating. The staff were a wealth of knowledge and were happy to answer all my questions., even the really annoying ones and I got to sample several glasses of vintage grange.

What really stood out for me was how different each wine from the same vintage tasted. How differently they had aged how miniscule differences in storage, the cork the handling had magnified over such a long time. From the few identical wines i had there were definite stand out bottles. This for me only reinforces what a living thing wine is and what craftsmen Penfolds have always been.

Hats of to Penfolds for their world class after sales service thanks to Anita and Emmy for letting me tag along. More info about Penfolds Clinic

Ninth Island - Pinot Noir - 2005

2006-07-26T18:48:00.000+10:00

Tasmania - Australia
$24 - Maguires TaringaNinth Island is a small island off Northern Tasmania near Piper's Brook Wineries Tamar Valley and Pipers River vineyards.

Looks
Deep burgundy
Smells
Woody slightly earthy. Blossomy. Red fruits, strawberries, cherry and hints of sweet spice and cloves.
Taste
Bold, with well rounded tanins. More red fruit although a little more tangy almost citrusy on the pallete.
Conclusion
A very good and enjoyable wine, fruity but not too heavy.

7 /10
More info about Ninth Island

Robertson's Well - Cabernet Sauvignon

2006-07-26T17:00:00.000+10:00

Coonawarra - Australia
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
A lower end Coonawarra Cabn Sav, this scored Blue-Gold at 98 Sydney Top 100 show and gold at Hobart, it also received a glowing review from Gormet Wine Traveller. This wine has seen over a year in American oak.

Looks
Deep Red
Smells
Inky, earthy, blackberry. Slightly twiggy or woody.
Taste
Quite a bitter middle, tastes like chewing blackberries with the leaves still on. Some liquorish. Once the bitterness fades you are left with some fruity sweetness slightly strawberry like.
Conclusion
Quite a big powerful red (14.5%). Enjoyable and well priced but nothing really fantastic.

5 /10
More info about Robertsons Well

Yalumba - Tricentenary Vines - Grenache - 2001

2006-07-17T19:05:00.000+10:00

Barossa Valley - Australia
$35 - The Wine Emporium
All the grapes for this wine were sourced from a single Yalumba vineyard in the Barossa Valley. The grapes were hand picked and left with their skins on for three weeks after fermentation and were then maturated for 12 months in French oak.

Looks
Rich ruby red
Smells
Blackcurrent, pepper, asian spice almost soy saucy and meaty.
Taste
Jammy blackcurrent and cherry, meaty flavouring (like bacon flavour crisps). Slightly spicy.
Conclusion
Perfectlty balanced. Delicious, Smooth wine that seems to grow in the glass.

8 /10
More info about Yalumba

Domain Day - Gargenega - 2005

2006-07-17T18:30:00.000+10:00

Mount Crawford - Australia
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
Garganega is an Italian white grape grown mainly in Veneto in North East of Italy. It is the main grape used in Soave. Domain Day is believed to be the only vinyard to vinify Gargenega outside of Italy.

Looks
Pale yellow
Smells
Stewed tart apples, slightly sulpphery chemical smell.
Taste
Citrusy, peachy, with a bitter acidic aftertaste (like bitter lemon)
Conclusion
Dissapointing. Soave has a reputation (some might say unfairly) for being very normal, i thought Domain Day would have gone all out to make this an exception.

4.5 /10
More info about Domain Day

d' Arenberg - The Cadenzia - Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre - 2004

2006-06-24T14:16:00.000+10:00

McLaren Vale - Australia
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
Another d'Arenberg wine. For me it seems these guys can't put a foot wrong the quality of their wine at all levels is astounding.

Looks
Extremely dark red
Smells
Thick tarry blackcurent. Mint. Coffee grinds. A slightly plasticy oily synthtic smell like like new carpet?
Taste
Choclelaty cherry like cherry ripes. Cinneman and cassis.
Conclusion
Big, bold and quite complex. The more you get into this wine the more you get from it. An unusual but spectacular and interesting taste. Robust and flavoursome, i ejoyed this wine very much

8 /10
More info about d'Arenberg

Titolato Strozzi - Chianti DOCG - 2003

2006-06-24T13:48:00.000+10:00

Chianti Coli Senesi - Italy
$23 - The Grape Indooropilly
Chianti is one of Italy's eleven DOCG classifeid districts. This bottle comes from the Coli Senesi area. Chianti is primarily made from the Sangiovase Grape, or more spacifcly Sangiovase Grosso, or Sangioveto.

Looks
Deep, dark red.
Smells
Peatty earth. Almost manure like. Plasticy. Leather, tobacco and blackcurrent.
Taste
Simple, smooth, balanced wine some smokey blackcurrent. Not much too much to it firm tannins. I would have expected a little more from the nose.
Conclusion
Simple earthy wine. Most Italian wine comes into its own when served with food and this is a perfect example.

6.5 /10

Ballandeen Estate Wines - Family Reserve Shiraz - 2001

2006-06-24T13:40:00.000+10:00

The Granite Belt - Australia
$22 - Cellar Door
Ballendean is Queenslands ~~oldest vinyard~~ oldest family owned and operated winery. It’s first wine was made in 1931 it has become one of Queenlsands famous wineries. This small vine yard produces an astounding variety of quality wine.

Looks
Dark. purplely red. Tinges of brown
Smells
Dark cherry, chocolate, mulled wine spice/sweet spice
Taste
Woody cherry, very smooth. Balanced but firm tanins. Tastes of soaked fruits orangie sangria
Conclusion
Well rounded but seems to lack punctuation. Tricky to pick out specifics in the flavour. Completely drinkable but not really astounding

5.5 /10

Catalina Sounds - Sauvignon Blanc - 2005

2006-06-24T13:22:00.000+10:00

Marlbogough - New Zealand
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
The name Catalina comes from the Flying Boats used by the New Zealand air force. Catalina Sounds was astablished in 2003 by Ant Moore ( of Isabel Estate fame).

Looks
Pale yellow with tiny green hints
Smells
Passionfruit, tinned appricot, spearmint with something more vegital in the back
Taste
The fruit seems alot more down played than the nose would give. Sweet citrus, melon, peach with a minerally aftertaste.
Conclusion
Surprisingly complex a real treat. Great length very morish.
7 /10

Penley Estate - Pheonix- Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003

2006-06-24T13:13:00.000+10:00

Coonawarra - Australia
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
Penley is a medium sized winenry based in Coonawarra south australia. With the help of Kym Tolley the long standing wne maker they produce a massive range of hugely popular wines which have come to be great examples of Coonawarra Style wine. The Phoenix name comes from the first Tolley winemaking company purchsed in 1888.

Looks
Very dark red.
Smells
Tarry cassis, ripe blackcurrent. Cold burnt wood
Taste
Big, more earthy black fruits some firm bold tanins. Hints of smokey cherry.
Conclusion
A great Coonawarra wine. Very drinkable everyday red will step up even further in a few years.

6 /10

Paxton AAA - Shiraz Grenache - 2004

2006-06-07T21:21:00.000+10:00

McLaren Vale - Australia
$23 - The Grape Indro
Paxton is a rising star of Australian wine. Set in the heart of McLaren Vale on South Australia’s spectacular Fleurieu Peninsula. Founded by Ben Paxton son of David Paxton long time McLaren vale grower. Their AAA Shiraz Grenache is triple award winning their accalades incluce Best Red Blend and Best Red Wine from a Small Producer at the 2005 McLaren Vale Wine Show

Looks
Very dark purply red.
Smells
Smokey coffee blackcurrent some casis.
Taste
Warm full wine. Nice bold ripe blackurrent . Sweet stewed cherries. Spicey woody oak.
Conclusion
Bold but simple. Enjoyable wine. Strong, fruity wine nothing truly outstanding there are alot better at that price.

5.5 /10

Robert Shannon Wines - Singing Lake Verdelho Chardonnay - 2005

2006-06-07T21:04:00.000+10:00

Granite Belt, Stanthorpe - Australia
$17 - Cellar Door
Robert Channon is another granite belt winery. Set on the rolling banks of a pristine lake I coudlnt imagine a better location. Their grapes are all under nets, protecting them from hail. Robert Channon wines are famed for their award winning Verdhello and also a legal tiff with Moet Chandon over their wineries name. It was originally called Channon Wines which was deamed too close to Chandon.

Looks
Very light clear.
Smells
Peach, pears, oak something a little chemically like sulpher from burnt matches
Taste
Hints of oaky vanilla but not overpowering. Peach and honedydew melon. Florally perfumy.
Conclusion
Clean and tasty, delicate. Not massive fruit not massive oak. But an all round rather delicious wine.

6 /10

Six Foot Six - Barabool - 2004

2006-05-23T18:58:00.000+10:00

Barrabool Hills Victoria - Australia
$14.99 - Vintage Cellars, George Street
Barrabool Wines was astablished in 1982 by the Austin family. Baribool was first planted in the 1850’s by Swiss Imigrants. After the orignal vines were romoved (like many around the world) due to Phylloxera the region has been striving to return the region to its former glory.

Looks
Purply Cranberry
Smells
Red berries, cherry a little twiggy. Leather a little plummy -spice
Taste
Fake strawbies (the kind in fruit corners) quite warm, good balance with nice lengthy tannins. Quite a bold fruity flavour. Gets a little liquorishy and fat onced its warmed.
Conclusion
A good wine. A little too jammy and strong as ever with a cheaper pinot. But well rounded and simple. Keep this wine cool it gets flabby when its slightly warm.

5.5/10

Brown Brothers - Barbera - 2002

2006-05-17T21:10:00.000+10:00

King Valley - Australia
Gift - The Grape Chapel Hill
Barbera is an Italian grape grown mainly around the Piedmont Region. It has also been successfully grown in Califrornia andYugoslavia (among other places.) In true Italian fashion this wine is incredibly good with a diverse variety of foods. It has low tannins and high alcohol (sometimes too high.)

The Brown Brothers seem to have consistent success with variatals uncommon to Australia. Its good to see larger companies continuing to experiment.

Looks
Crimson red
Smells
Smokey cherry and blackcurrent, tarry wax crayons.
Taste
More waxy blackcurrent. Dried fruit on the pallete raisiny. SImple but smooth
Conclusion
I thoroughly enojoyed this wine. Smooth fruity (more so than i expected) and yummy. simple wine but well rounded and perfectly in its place. I cant remember if ive had Italian Barbera but would love to compare the two.

6/10

Seppelt - Victoria Riesling - 2004

2006-05-17T20:56:00.000+10:00

Victoria - Australia
$15 - The Grape Indooroopily
Seppelt has two wineries, Seppeltfiled in South Australia and Great Western Winery in Victoria. It also has a host of vinyards across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales all specialising in different vvarieties.

This is the first Victoria Riesling vintage. Although the Victoria range normally uses grapes sourced throughout Victoria this vintage was made solely from the Drumborg Vinyards. The Victoria rielsing was intended to be released with the 2005 but 2004 was such an exceptional growing year for Drumborg that the wine was made earler.

Looks
Pale yellow green
Smells
Peach, citrus, florally. Plain flower slightly metalic
Taste
Minerally a little fizzy tasting, lime hints slightly minty lingering acids.
Conclusion
It’s hard to say a great deal about this wine. There is nothing really standout in the taste but then again theres nothing at all unpleasant about it. Would prefer something a little fruitier... infact something a bit more anythingier. This wine was perfectly drinkable and for the price im not one to complain.

5/10

Conde De Veldemar - Rioja Reserva - 1998

2006-05-07T17:56:00.000+10:00

Martinez Bujanda - Rioja Spain
$32 - The Grape Chapel Hill
Rioja was until recently Spains only wine put in their highest appalation classification DOCa, Priorata was recently added. Among the common appalation rules regarding location and planting wines are also scrutinised for chemical composition, methods of pruning and even the amount of juice aloud to be pressed from their grapes. The Rioja region stretches 120km along the Ebro Valley.

To be classified Reserva the wine must be aged at least 3 years. Usually 1 year in oak and 2 in the bottle. This bottle however has seen 25 months in both French and American oak. Rioja can be made from a combination of Tempranillo, Gernacha, Viura, Graciano and Mezuelo (not neccasarily all varieties are used, but Tempranillo is usually a standard.)

Looks
Dark purpley rich golden red
Smells
Dark berry fruits hints of vanilla and spice. Foliage, vegatation, earthy slightly nutty.
Taste
Velvetty smooth. Slightly creamy chocolatey slight oaky spice. Plummy this wine feels like it screams dark fruit but not the bold in your face new world fruity first hit the fruit creeps up on you.
Conclusion
What amazing wine. Its not a massive, heavy, in your face big bold red. It does have power but its also got finesse, structure and class. I love this wine a definate European style. Go get some.

8.5/10

Vavasour - Sauvignon Blanc - 2005

2006-05-03T18:04:00.000+10:00

Marlborough - New Zealand
The Grape Chapel Hill
Set in the Awatere Valley. Vavasour were the first to plant in this region. They have recently murgered with Goldwater Estate.

Looks
Very pale yellow flicks of green
Smells
Passionfruit, pears, lemon cordial, tinned peach syrup.
Taste
More minerally on the pallette a little chalky. Tastes a little fizzy and acidicly sour like super sour jellies. Not much fruit on the pallete, maybe grapefruit.
Conclusion
A strangely morish wine, not sure if its the wine or the acid (like u cant stop eating salted peanuts). I would prefer a little more fruit - a fatter wine but this is a very good effort. The acid and sourness would cut through oily food, oily fish for example but this is not really a style i like

5.5/10

A Mano - Primitivo - 2002

2006-05-03T17:30:00.000+10:00

Puglia - Italy
$19 - The Grape Indooropilly
A mano simply means handmade. Primitivo is a twin of Zinfandel which makes them both in turn a descendant of the mali plavic vine of Croatia. The winery sits in Pugilia Italy's Primitivo region (think about the heel of the boot.)

Looks
Deep red, slightly browning at the edges
Smells
Dark Fruit, Rasberry. Used coffee grinds casis. Dust.
Taste
Big blackcurrent packed with dark fruit, a slight acidity like rubharb. Tarry candlewaxy. Firm bold but not offensive tannins.
Conclucion
A splendid wine. Great balance packed with both fruit and tannins. Highly drinkable need another bottle. Why doenst Australia grow some serious Zinfandel.

8/10

Bungawarra - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2002

2006-04-26T20:31:00.000+10:00

Stanthorpe - Australia
$18 Cellar Door
Bungawarra is another Granite Belt winery which I visited on my recent trip. Bungawarra was a fantastic winery with a vine flanked driveway. A tiny owner/winemaker run cellar door and two good old wine dogs sitting in the sun outside. The man himself Jeff Harden served us wine and not only did he boast a perfectly sculpted beard he was a thoroughly decent chap.

Looks
Dark, purply red
Smells
Plum, black pepper, dark chocolate and blackcurrent jam.
Taste
Smooth, crammed with dark fruit. Sweet blackberry and blackcurrent a hint of chilli powder and spice. Very well balanced good tannins to keep the fruit in check
Conclusion
What great wine. If Penfolds made this wine they would charge five times more for it. Full bodied but smooth and well rounded. Overflowing with dark berry fruits this wine is fantastic

7.5 / 10

Ridgemill Estate - Tempranillo The Spaniard - 2002

2006-04-26T20:08:00.000+10:00

Stanthorpe - Australia
$16 Cellar Door
Ridgemill Estate bought Emerald Hill in 2004. A beautiful vinyard run by a friendly and keen couple eager to show you their outstanding wine. 2005 brought their first tempranillo release. Tempranillo is the famous spanish grape it is one of the key grapes that make Rioja.

Looks
Deep burgendy
Smells
Sawdust, Rasberry, and tumeric. A strange smell of something gone a little too sour. Tobacco.
Taste
Smooth inky blackcurrent, rasberry and tobacco.
Conclusion
This wine is a little hard to pin down at first but the more i studied it the more complex it seemed to get. With a smooth but a little delicate layer of fruit right down the middle unfotunately there isnt much either side. A worthy wine especially from such a small young vin yard, one to look out for in the future.

6 / 10

Queenslands Finest - Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt

2006-04-18T21:43:00.000+10:00

I spent this weekend in the Grantie Belt, Queenslands main Wine Region.
Unfotunately there seems to be a trend emerging in wineries and some wine areas that prefers to put wine second place after the tourism and novelty; where the winemakers hearts don't seem to be in their wine and they care more about getting people there. The Granite Belt does not fit this catagory.

I was stunned by the quality and diversity of the wine, these people are righfully very proud of what they have made and work very hard to get there. The Stanthorpe area is also at the perfect size where the cellar doors are often still the cellar doors and where the winemaker or grower is talking, describing and selling you their wine.

Stanthorpe is situated 2 hours South West of Brisbane just North of the New South Wales border. What makes Stanthorpe special and different from the rest of the arid, dry and humid state is it's climate and soil. Stanthorpes wineries sit high-up; anywhere from 700m to 900m+ above sea level. This means that even though Stanthorpe gets lots of sun it never bakes and cools once the sun goes down. The soil is riddled with granite and quartz which helps to keep the soil warm and along with the hills helps drainage.

I took part in an organised tour with Maxi Tours. This meant I didn’t have to worry about who was driving and also meant I could see what others thought of the wine and get a good history and background of the area and makers. I was surprised to see such a variety of grapes being grown, these included Tamprenillo (one of my favourites), Duriff, Barbera, Sylvaner and Verdehlo.

Every winery I vistied was of a high standard. But what made them really exciting was their potential. Even in some of the weaker wines the spark was there and in ten years when the vines have a little more age they will be able to stand side by side with other Aussie greats.

Standout vinyards and wines included:

Boirrean. Run by Peter and Therese Stark both humble and jolly, boasting some of Queenslands best reds. Their vinyard is tiny - just 1.4ha and although its only producing reds they are extremelly high quality and varied.

Ridgemill Estate. Another small vinyard. Boasting a smooth and tasty Tempranillo which was a very nice surprise. A young vinyard and one to look out for, keep an eye on their shiraz and Cab Sav.

Robert Shannon. A beautiful vinyard set above a stunning lake. Famed for their verdhelo, an argument with Chandon (Channon - Chandon go figure) and their competely netted vineyard. A great selection of wines - their Verdhelo and verdhelo chardonnay were impecable and their cab merlot was great.

Also of note Ballandean Estate - great shiraz and stunning Sylvaner. Look out for Golden Grove Estates Temprenillo blends in the near future and also Bungawarra; great wines across the board.

Look out for more detailed reviews coming soon.

Kim Crawford - Pinot Gris - 2005

2006-04-18T20:42:00.000+10:00

Marlborough - New Zealand
Gift
Pinot Gris geneticly identical to Pinot Grigio but because of the differing styles in its producing across the world they have become very different. I feel this is sometimes the same for other varieties shiraz and syrah identicle grapes but finished in a very different way from country to country.

Kim Crawford is an interesting company started as a 'virtual winery' originally sourcing grapes not growing any of their own and using other wineries to make their wine. Now they own vineyard land and use a state of the art winery in Marlborough.

Looks
Pale golden yellow
Smells
Sherbett lemon, pears, honey dew melon peach cordial
Taste
Elderflower, more melon. slightly appley. Tinned peach syrup. Almost hard fruit candy like.
Conclusion
A simple clean wine. A scrummy very drinkable all rounder. Nothing truly blinding but perfect for a night in.

6 / 10

Montana - Sauvignon Blanc - 2005

2006-04-18T20:10:00.000+10:00

Marlborough - New Zealand
$15 BWS Toowong
Montana is one of the big boys in New Zealand. Procuding very reasonably priced qualtiy wines. I have a soft spot for their Pinot and was recommended the Sauv Blanc, another of their budget end greats.

Looks
Light Pale yellow hints of green
Smells
Peach and passion fuit. Earthy like soil from a bag. Slightly plasticy.
Taste
Passion fruit, green apples. Citrusy but a more bitter citrus - grapefruit.
Conclusion
Well priced highly drinkable and morish. Not the most subtle but scrumcious in a tangy more acidic way

6 / 10

Two Hands - Brave Faces Shiraz Grenache - 2004

2006-04-11T18:49:00.000+10:00

Barossa Valley - Australia
$25 The Grape Indro
Two Hands is a Barossa a based winery dedicated to producing the best regional shiraz based wines. Started by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999.

Looks
Deep red - Rusty purple at the edges
Smells
Chocolate, rotting vegatation, sweet chilli, blackberry and blackcurrent. Dark Cherry and plum
Taste
Oh the balance. So much fruit. Black and red fruits more cholcolate. This is a fully loaded wine.
Conclusion
This wine ticks every box for me. Amazing balance with so much fruit. It's priced at an awkward level. Not quite cheap enough of an everyday wine but not pricey enough to be a treat. If id have blind tasted this wine i would put it in $40+ range. Fantastic wine. This is Two Hands mid level wine I cant even imagine the power of their higher end wine. Alot of their wine is sold for the US market which explains the bold style but i feel that this is much more. Must hunt down Two Hands 'Bad Impersonator"

9 / 10

Torres - Vina Esmeralda - 2003

2006-04-05T21:32:00.000+10:00

Torres Family - Barcelona Spain
$11.95 The Grape Indro
This is a blend of Moscatel and Gewurztraminer. Torres has won a slew of awards for all levels of it's wines. An old winery now in it's fourth generation. This is one at the lower end bottles and my second Torres wine.

Looks
Pale yellow - straw
Smells
Floral, Peach and passion fruit. Smells like Starbust tropical fruit flavour
Taste
Very light not much to it more peach, dried banana and orange rind
Conclusion
This wine brings alot more fruit than I though it would, I expected more sweetness. But this was suculent if not a little sparce. I've had more Muscato the sparkling type and found it often too sweet but i think maybe the Gewurztraminer gives this another dimension. A great light summer wine I vow to try more Gewurztraminer.

6 / 10

D'Arenberg - D'Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache - 2000

2006-04-05T17:36:00.000+10:00

McLaren Vale - Australia
$17 A bottle shop in Noosa somewhere
Theres something about D'Arenberg wine that just seems to ooze quality. The bottles look classy in a classical kind of way and the wine rarely disapoints. They always have good names which seem to give their wine a more personal quirky feel. This example is a 50 / 50 Shiraz Grenache mix, basket pressed with a good 18months in oak.

Looks
Deep - Dark red
Smells
Black pepper, rasberry and blackcurrent, smells strong a slight coffee hint
Taste
Blueberry and more rasberry, dark chocolate, strong but rounded, bold but smooth.
Conclusion
This wine seems to have it all. Everything makes this wine a winner especially the $17 price tag. This is the sort of wine i love simple, bold and chocked full of flavour.

8 / 10

Giant Steps - Pinot Noir 2004

2006-04-01T12:12:00.000+10:00

Yarra Valley - Australia
$24 The Grape Indooroopilly

Giant Steps, set on the hillsides of the Yarra Valley. All their wines are made within the vinyard with all their own grapes. This makes their wines a real representations of their area.

Looks
Burgendy, transparent but rich red.
Smells
Peppery, raspberry smells strong, slightly burnt sugar or caramelly
Taste
Smooth but also quite bold. Strawberry jam and red cherry. Good tannin structure and fantastic length.
Conclusion
At first the wine seems a little punchy the fruit seems to hit you then dissapear. I think maybe its a bit young once aired for a while this wine came into its own. Great Australian pinot a little bolder than i normally like but a great drop. Hold off for a few years and this will be supreme

7 / 10

Penfolds - Bin128 Coonawara Shiraz - 2003

2006-03-28T21:55:00.000+10:00

Coonawarra - Australia
$25? - A Gift

This years release of Bin 128. An awesomely consistent Penfolds Shiraz. Always outstanding for its mid level price range.

Looks
Deep red with purplish tinge
Smells
Full and strong. Black treacle and blackcurrent.
Taste
Blackcurrent and wet burnt wood. Cloves and cherry.
Conclusion
Fantastic wine. Still young with immense power. Full flavour. Would benefit from a few years in a cellar but exceptional now.

8 / 10

Hugel - Pinot Blanc - 2002

2006-03-24T20:57:00.000+10:00

Alsace - France
$22.00 The Grape Indooroopilly
Pinot Blanc (Klevner) a distant relative of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Grown almost exclusively in Europe, my first Pinot Blanc (I think).

Looks
Very light, almost clear with just a hint of yellow.
Smells
Apple juice and melon. Something minerally... I get something almost sulphery.
Taste
A light wine. Peach and Lychee. Chalky mineralness similar to chalky sweets, palma violets or Tums?
Conclusion
Great white wine. Light but interesting. Well rounded and tasty. A good Chenin Blanc starting point, one to follow up.

6/10

Houghton - Cabernett, Shiraz, Merlot - 2004

2006-03-23T20:48:00.000+10:00

Nannup & Perth - Western Australia
$12.00 The Grape Indooroopilly
Featured in Gourmet Wine Traveller. Houghton's budget level wine the price is aparently due to "the over-production of Cabernet, in the west"

Looks
Dark, deep red.
Nose
Smokey black fruit and cherry. Smells boozy, hints of plum and cassis
Taste
Very smooth plummy and a little cherry like. Quite simple.
Conclusion
Tastes good but a little bare a smooth but simple wine. Nothing to write home about but not at all unpleasant especiallly on the wallet.

5/10

Port Phillip Estate - Sauvignon Blanc - 2005

2006-03-21T19:11:00.000+10:00

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria - Australia
$22.00 The Grape Indooroopilly
My first experience of Port Phillip wines, Ive been blown away by Mornington Paninsula Pinot Noir and thought i'd sample their Sauvignon Blanc.

Looks
Very pale yellow with a slight hint of green.
Nose
Peach and Melon as usual. Some cut grass with a tiny hint of citrus rind. Maybe some elderflower
Taste
Smooth wine. More peach. Floral, blossomy and slightly herby.
Conclusion
Great wine. This is what I think of when I think- Sauvignon Blanc. Fruity and morish.

7.5/10