Chris, on Wine
Welcome to my wine cellar, where I tell you about the wines I’m thinking, drinking, and sometimes cellaring.
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I’m passionate about wine! I’ve been enjoying and collecting it for over 50 years and I’ve built several home wine cellars during that time.
I started this blog to share my thoughts on the wine that I’ve been drinking. I’d welcome your comments … Chris Miley
Starvedog Lane Shiraz Viogner 2007 Review
This was tasted recently at home, feeling compelled to try one after reading all the hype. The following is a review by Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh following its trophy at the Sydney Royal. I think they have it covered far better than I...
Heemskerk Chardonnay 2007 Review
The SMH Wine of the Week this week is the Heemskerk Chardonnay 2007. Huon Hooke writes:Foster's has revived the Heemskerk brand with a snappy etched-label design and a trio of fine Tassie wines, this one from Coal River Valley grapes. It's shy and...
Gemtree Obsidian Shriaz 2005 15%
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...
Pierro Margaret River Cab Sauv/Merlot LTCf 2005 14.5%
This wonderful wine was tasted with anchovy basted BBQ cooked rack of lamb with oven roasted vegetables.The colour is deep ruby red, clear and inviting.Nose has blackcurrant, a whiff of MR mint, soft spice and is invitingly restrained and...
Charles Melton The Father In Law Shiraz 2006
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...
Bream Creek Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
After managing to survive a few years in the cellar, this highly regarded wine from the supreme 2005 Tasmanian vintage was tasted recently with pancetta wrapped pork fillet with sage and apple, accompanied by roasted vegetables.The wine is a deep...
Willow Creek Vineyard Tulum Pinot Noir 2007
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...
Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir 2008
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...
San Raffaele Valpolicella Superiore, Monte Tabor, 2004
Colour is brilliant deep ruby red.Nose has leather aromas accompanied by sweet oak and a multi-layered array of delicate and elegant aromas of savoury and some raspberry; aromatically intense might be it.Palate is medium to full bodied with supple...
Woodlands Margaret River ‘Margaret’ Cabernet Merlot 2004
Time to taste and test this great wine now some ten months since we opened the last one. This was tasted with butterfly lamb basted with olive oil, garlic, crushed anchovies, parsley, salt and pepper. Lamb was cooked in the Weber so another degree...
Geoff Merrill Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale & Coonawarra 2002
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...
San Raffaele Amarone della Valpolicella 2000
After some years in the cellar, the remarkable 2000 San Raffaele Amarone della Valpolicella was tasted with a superb rich beef casserole in red wine, though a large chunk of hard cheese would be just as good. I must say I'm slightly disappointed to...