by Chris | 12 Feb 2013 | Australia, Cabernet, Red Wines, South Australia
The loveliness of Langhorne Creek. Sumptuous, rich, sweet, succulent, complex, flavoursome, delicious, moreish. These are thoughts that spring to mind when I think of the wines of Langhorne Creek in a a good vintage. This 2004 Lake Breeze Cab Sauv had not been tried...
by Chris | 19 Jan 2013 | Australia, Riesling, Victoria, White Wines
This is simply astounding and outstanding. There have been some rave reviews for the 2011 Bests GW Riesling including 97 points from James Halliday, and I managed to get a few before they disappeared. But I have to say I like the 2012 even more. It has a little more...
by Chris | 15 Jan 2013 | Australia, Chardonnay, Other Reds, Other Whites, Pinot Noir, Red Wines, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia
Huon Hooke’s SMH wine of the week is this wine from the fabulous 2010 vintage, Huon writes: ‘Silverwood Estate is a tiny three hectare vineyard run by the Dennis family, with just three grape varieties, the others being chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. This...
by Chris | 14 Jan 2013 | Australia, New South Wales, Red Wines, Shiraz
So what does velvet or silk actually taste like? Well a good place to start is by smelling and swallowing this wine. The bouquet is all sweet stewed plums and bright cherry fruit, with an overlay of rich vanillan oak, soft pepper spice and just a touch of beautiful...
by Chris | 10 Jan 2013 | Australia, New South Wales, Red Wines, Shiraz
What does ethereal mean? The dictionary describes it thus; extremely delicate or refined, exquisite, celestial or spiritual. I’m going to hang that well used tag on the 2009 Moppity Vineyards Hilltops Shiraz. This wine has a small percentage of Viognier ...
by Chris | 27 Dec 2012 | Australia, Cabernet, Red Blends, Western Australia
I have been collecting these for nearly 10 years and I have just tasted what I think may be the finest one they have made. But what is it that makes this so? One man’s passion is another mans poison – did I just make that up? Anyway we need to talk about...
by Chris | 23 Oct 2012 | Australia, Cabernet, Italy, Other Reds, Red Wines, South Australia, Spain
Quality company, quality wines, quality food all adds up to a great night out, albeit accompanied by slight headache next day. Thanks to John and Frances, David and Janet for a most enjoyable night out, Alison and I had a ball and hope we can do it again soon. All the...
by Chris | 14 Aug 2012 | Cabernet, Chardonnay, Other Reds, Red Blends, Red Wines, Riesling, Shiraz, USA
A little off the beaten wine tracks of Napa, Sonoma, Russian River etc., this is the northernmost appellation in the Sonoma Valley. It is well worth a trip, however, as this is an area that produces some of the best PQR (Price Quality Ratio) wines in all of...
by Chris | 3 Aug 2012 | Cabernet, Other Reds, Pinot Noir, Red Blends, Red Wines, Sauvignon Blanc, USA, White Wines
Thanks to my Australian wool industry associate, David Nancarrow, we were introduced to his brother Bill, who is the executive winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards. Founded by the Duckhorn family in 1976, this winery sources it’s fruit from 8 vineyard sites ranging...
by Chris | 1 Aug 2012 | Chardonnay, Other Whites, USA, White Blends, White Wines
Well here we are on our last day at the beautiful Reid Family Vineyard in Napa Valley. Mary Ellen, that chef of unbounded talent, prepared our lunch of grilled ahi over caesar salad. The ahi is rubbed in sesame oil and crusted in sesame seeds. This was accompanied by...
