by Chris | 26 Jul 2012 | Cabernet, Red Wines, USA
So fortunate to be spending some time helping to babysit the house while the Reids are away; just a look around the property and the house tells you that these people have a passion and a special touch in all that they do. Before they left Kirk and Karen showed us...
by Chris | 1 Jul 2012 | Australia, Cabernet, Red Wines, South Australia
Tasted 27/06/2012 Yes, yes, I know what you’re saying – Cab Sauv from McLaren Vale? Do we really care? Well, I can tell you if you get your taste buds into this little charmer, you will begin to care; what a revelation for a wine that can be had at south of $20....
by Chris | 23 Jun 2012 | Australia, Cabernet, South Australia
Tasted 22/06/2012 Colour is deep dark inky red/purple Nose is something of a brooding monster, with plums, blackcurrant, cassis and sweet oak all vying for attention. Palate is full and rich, good mouthfeel with all of the above characters playing their part....
by Chris | 22 Jun 2012 | France, Red Blends
2006 Clefs des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape, 14% alcohol, tasted 22/06/2012. Colour is translucent ruby red. Nose is a riot of raspberry, blackcurrant, spices and savoury/coffee notes. Palate has the above aided by firm but very fine savoury tannins. Majority Grenache...
by Chris | 19 Jun 2012 | Australia, Pinot Noir, Tasmania
Freycinet was established in 1979 and was the first commercial winery on the east coast of Tasmania. Colour is slightly opaque, light red. Nose has dark cherry, forest floor and various spices, at once intriguing and inviting. Palate is astonishing: medium bodied with...
by Chris | 18 Jun 2012 | Australia, Shiraz, Victoria
This wine was enjoyed with a Stolen Greek Lamb Stew (Kleftiko Lamb) which is a very slow cooked lamb shoulder; after the wine opened up it was a great match. Colour is deep rich red, Nose is all rich stewed plums, chocolate, licorice – rich and unctious. Palate...
by Chris | 12 Jun 2012 | Australia, New South Wales, Semillon, Shiraz
On a bleak, cold, rain-sodden Queens Birthday holiday we set out to reacquaint ourselves with two of the famous Hunter S’s; Shiraz and Semillon. Well at least the foul weather kept the crowds away, most tasting rooms we had to ourselves, which means we get the...
by Chris | 3 Jun 2012 | New Zealand, Red Wines
Tasted May 2012 with hickory smoked leg of lamb and roast vegetables. This comes from that area in NZ north island called Gimblett Gravels, an astonishing breeding ground for outstanding red wines, mainly of the Bordeaux right bank mix, that is Merlot predominant....
by Chris | 9 Aug 2011 | Australia, Other Whites, Victoria
The wine of the week in today’s SMH Good Living section is the 2010 Delatite Dead Man’s Hill Gewurtztraminer from Central Victoria. Huon Hooke writes: Delatite gewurtztraminer has for years been one of Australia’s best; grown and made at the Ritchie...
by Chris | 2 Aug 2011 | Australia, Shiraz, South Australia
The wine of the week in today’s Good Living section of the SMH is the 2010 Head Red Shiraz Viognier from Head Wines in the Barossa Valley. Huon Hooke writes: Alex Head, who worked in Sydney wine retailing and auctioneering previously, hit the ground running with...
