Category Archives: Australian
GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY 2009
I first tasted this wine at an Aussie wine event … It is pale in color mild on the nose with some citrus coming through. The paleness leads me to expect this to be a milder chard and the pallet … Continue reading
MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ 2008
Our guests Jim and Katherine brought this wine over for dinner and it made a brief appearance in our glasses The wine is dark in color with a mild nose to it. On the mid pallet the wine is a … Continue reading
GEMTREE VINEYARDS TADPOLE SHIRAZ 2008
Sometimes you need to go off the reservation and choose a wine from some rater you’ve never heard of before. That was my though when I grabbed this one. What the heck. The wine is deep in color with a … Continue reading
2007 Tapanappa ‘Etages’ Tiers Chardonnay
Burgundy, France, is the epicenter of the Chardonnay grape’s world, but the world itself has taken on this white grape as it’s own. Chardonnay is one the most widely grown grape varieties in the world and can be found pretty … Continue reading
YELLOW TAIL MERLOT
Critter wines are all the rage, put some silly animal on the label and some folks will buy it. This one is medium dark in color very fruity on the nose. Lots of sweet almost Merlot like smells coming off … Continue reading
Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2008
This is another wine from Wine Spectator’s top 100 of 2009 and it came in at #39 and they gave it a 92 for $19US. The wine is quite pale in color mild on the nose with some varietal Viognier … Continue reading
Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa 2006
This one came to my attention as #54 of the top 100 Wines of 2009 from Wine Spectator. They gave it a 91 for $16US. The wine is quite dark in color, very fragrant with lots of cassis and cherries … Continue reading
1998 Alkoomi Cabernet sauvignon
We stopped by Seaons in Oakville for a little birthday celebration and the proprietor treated us to this bottle that he has had in their extensive wine cellar for a LONG time. The wine is dark in color mild on … Continue reading
Wolf Blass Yellow label Shiraz 2008
We were over at a friends house for dinner and this one was being served. As we all know the difference between a Shiraz and a Syrah is style and terroir. Aussie has a reputation for making some peppery shiraz’s … Continue reading
Lilly Pilly 2008 Sauv Blanc
We headed up to Millcroft Inn for some rest and relaxation this past weekend. We discovered they have a lovely restaurant with a well stocked wine cellar. Jeff the manager there, a German fellow, was very knowledgeable in wines. They … Continue reading
Food and wine show Toronto and GEMTREE CITRINE CHARDONNAY 2008
I attended the Food and Wine show last night. This is one of the largest I’ve been to. The size is quite incredible. The event actually does feature both food and wine. There are even cooking demonstrations and wine chats … Continue reading
RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
This wine presented some challenges for me. On the nose there are lots of traditional cab smells. Lovely deep rich cassis, cherries and other dark fruits and there is something there. Not awful just not perfect. On the mid pallet … Continue reading
Society for American Wine/Australian Wine Society Syrah/Shiraz event
The thing I enjoy about attending structured tastings like this one is that it serves to further refine my knowledge and appreciation of wine. Sometimes it even destroys misconceptions I have. Shiraz and Syrah are two different names for the … Continue reading
YALUMBA WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2008
This was the second reception wine at Society for American Wine’s Shiraz/Syrah tasting event. The wine is pale in color with some mild sulphur on the nose. Not to the point of smelling a match (which I have had before), … Continue reading
PENMARA FIVE FAMILIES SHIRAZ
Stopped by Spice route for dinner last night and my dinner guest had this one. The wine is typical inky dark, very mild on the nose. On the mid pallet there is the usual fruit flavors and on the long … Continue reading
2006 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Since I have just returned from my voyage to the outback (yes the real outback) I figured I would do a fast blog on this wine we opened tonight. We bought this on our trip back in October and really … Continue reading
2006 Two Hands Bella’s Garden Shiraz (Barossa)
With our recent trip to Barossa firmly in my head this evening as I plan for a work trip to the land down under, I decided I needed to try at least one bottle that we picked up in Oz. … Continue reading
RICHARD HAMILTON LOT 148 MERLOT 2006
As usual my biases up front. I think a Merlot ought to taste like a Merlot (according to my definition). I know this is narrow. But this is just part of the somewhat exact being that is me. I believe … Continue reading
Wolf Blass 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Yellow Label
I was out with a bunch of friends at the Keg last night and while my usual there is thePainter Bridge Zinfandel I felt like something different and I wasn’t sure if others would appreciate a Zinfandel. This is always … Continue reading
2003 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz
This wine, given to us a gift, falls into the class of wines I’d simply not buy in a store or restaurant. Wolf Blass to me is synonymous with LARGE producer and some of the wines are to be kind, … Continue reading
GREG NORMAN CABERNET/MERLOT 2005
Back in Engineering (surely by now you have figured out I am an Engineer by how I write ) school we were taught “don’t let what you know get in the way of what you don’t know”. I find myself … Continue reading
ALKOOMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
This one came on my radar as a pretty good deal. A 90 rated wine below $20. This is a lovely cab. Slightly different than a California cab. Plenty of deep rich black berry flavors. The finish on the wine … Continue reading
PILLAR BOX RED 2005
I have some of the 2005 and the 2006. This is a big bold classic Aussie wine. The dominant flavor is Shiraz with some edge taken off by the blending grapes. The wine is quite high in alcohol. I recommend … Continue reading
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
This is an absolutely varietal Aussie cab. There are all the typical flavors and aromas of a cab mixed in with a very slight pepperyness on the finish as is typical for an Aussie. Terroir can never be underestimated and … Continue reading