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: 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: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley
WA 90
Blended of 77% Shiraz, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, Tait’s 2010 The Ballbuster gives a very deep garnet purple color and pronounced notes of spiced blackberries, blueberry pie filling and stewed plums with hints of freshly cracked black pepper and fenugreek. Very full bodied and richly fruited, it has a good line of crisp acidity lending lift and a medium to firm level of velvety tannins, finishing long and peppery. Drink it now to 2016.
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley
WS 90
WE 90
WA 90
Dark ruby/purple, with notes of roasted coconut, graphite, damp earth, blackberry and cassis, this perfumed wine hits the palate with a thunderous richness from the glycerin and dense fruit. Quite sexy, stunning, with some structured tannin in the finish, this wine should drink well for another 5-7 years.
Varietal: Shiraz | Location: Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley
WA 91
The 2011 Woodcutters Shiraz doesn't miss a beat in this difficult vintage. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is scented of cassis, black plums and macerated blackberries over nuances of charcoal, black pepper, smoked duck breast and violets. Full-bodied and packed with black berry and savory meat and mineral flavors, it is nicely poised in the mouth with a taut backbone of medium level rounded tannins and just enough acid, finishing with a good persistence of pepper and spice notes. Drink this one now to 2018+.