Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Australia - Victoria - Central Victoria
WS 90
Dark ruby-red in color, this wine opens with a fragrant blast of red berry and wild violets, expanding on the palate into nuances of damp earth, crushed raspberry and mocha. Notes of violets rejoin the chorus of fruit and soft tannins on the finish. While this can evolve gracefully for 2 to 3 years, it is eminently delicious to drink now.
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia - Clare Valley
WA 89
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 Lodge Hill Shiraz gives notes of black cherries, blackberries and black plums over freshly cracked black pepper, dried Mediterranean herbs and lavender. Medium to full bodied and with very crisp acid, it fills the mouth with vibrant berry flavors textured with a medium level of fine grained tannins, finishing long and a little herbal. Drink it now to 2016+. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon | Location: Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale
Deep crimson, with brick red hues. the 2008 Jester Cabernet shows liquorice, nutmeg and cassis notes which provide a lift to the subtle hints of French oak. Well rounded on the palate, the firm tannins are complemented by nuances of chocolate, blackcurrant and earth. Food Match: Morrocan style lamb curry with eggplant and chickpeas
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale
WS 90
WA 88
This is smooth, velvety and appealing for its juicy blackberry and cherry flavors, zinging through the lively, wet earth-tinged finish. Best from 2013 through 2018.
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia
WA 98
Made from fruit coming predominantly from the Barossa Valley this year (97%) and containing 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2006 Grange has been added to my list of favorite recent vintages. Deep garnet-purple colored, it's still a little youthfully mute, offering notes of warm cherries, black currants, anise, coffee and toast with underlying hints of soy, yeast extract, black olives and Indian spices. Tight-knit and solidly structured on the medium to full bodied palate, the concentrated fruit is densely coiled around the firm grainy tannins and very crisp acidity at this stage, but promises something very special in the years to come. It finishes very long, complex and layered with the cedar poking though the fruit purity. Patience is required for this vintage; it should begin opening out around 2016 and drink to 2030+. Importer: Treasury Wine Estates, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-4500
Varietal: Red Blend | Location: Australia - South Australia
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is very much a reflection of the Penfolds winemaking style and philosophy. Sourced from premium vineyards across South Australia, the wine is known for its full-flavoured style with excellent Shiraz and Cabernet fruit, firm yet well-rounded structure and balanced oak. Made as a traditional 'Australian blend', the Shiraz component provides fleshy fruit flavour while Cabernet provides a frame of fine grained tannins.