by Chris | 3 Jan 2011 | France, Red Wines
Fronsac is an appellation that lies just to the north of the Dordogne River before it becomes the true right bank of the Gironde River. This wine is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The right bank soil is principally clay which supports the Merlot grape, where the...
by Chris | 7 Sep 2010 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, Victoria
This has to be one of the cellaring stars of Australian wine; it just grows another leg after 5 to 10 years in the cellar. Having said that, as we eagerly opened one of these recently, we quickly discovered it had been monstered by TCA. So after tipping that one down...
by Chris | 16 Apr 2010 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, Victoria
Huon Hooke’s SMH wine of the week this week is the Tar and Roses Heathcote Shiraz 2008. He writes: “Mitchelton’s former chief winemaker of many years standing, Don Lewis, and Narelle King are responsible for the excellent Tar and Roses wines, none...
by Chris | 15 Jul 2009 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, South Australia
Huon Hooke’s SMH Wine Of The Week this week is the Tapestry BG&V Shiraz 2007. Huon writes:’BG&V stands for Bakers Gully and Vignerons, the two vineyards where the grapes were grown. Very low yields resulted in intense flavours in McLaren Vale in...
by Chris | 7 Jul 2009 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, South Australia
While meeting winemaker Mike Brown at a Gemtree tasting in North Sydney was a fascinating experience, he simply added a further layer of interest to the already compelling wines on show. Much has been written about the albarino wines and their vinous autheticity and...
by Chris | 2 Jul 2009 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, South Australia
The SMH Wine Of The Week this week is the Charles Melton ‘The Father In Law’ Shiraz 2006. Huon Hooke writes:Charlie Melton dedicated this terrific, everyday drinking red to his father-in-law, Sydney Weckert. Melton advised him against taking up...
by Chris | 16 Jun 2009 | Australia, Pinot Noir, Red Wines, Victoria
This week’s SMH Wine of the Week is the Willow Creek Vineyard Tulum Pinot Noir 2007. Huon Hooke writes:Willow Creek’s premium ’07 Mornington Peninsula pinot is a real lip-smacker. It wins you over with its perfume and finesse, balance and beguiling...
by Chris | 10 Jun 2009 | Australia, Pinot Noir, Red Wines, Victoria
This week’s SMH wine of the week is the Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir 2008. Huon Hooke writes:One of the Mornington Peninsula’s stars, Paringa Estate, makes outstanding pinot at three levels. This is the cheapest and the only one not made solely from...
by Chris | 2 Jun 2009 | Australia, Cabernet, Red Wines, South Australia
This week’s SMH wine of the week is the Geoff Merrill Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale & Coonawarra 2002. Huon Hooke writes:’Geoff Merrill has a thing about properly aged red wine and is fighting an increasingly lonely battle in defence of...
by Chris | 5 May 2009 | Australia, Red Wines, Shiraz, Western Australia |
This weeks SMH wine of the week is the Plan B Frankland River Shiraz 2007. Huon Hooke writes:In case things don’t work out you need a plan B. So says veteran West Australian winemaker Bill Crappsley, who makes the Plan B wines in cahoots with two other...
