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
2010 Silverwood Estate Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula
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...
2007 Meerea Park Howard Vineyard Shiraz Hunter Valley 13.5%
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...
2009 Moppity Reserve Hilltops 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...
2010 Woodlands Margaret River ‘Margaret’ Cabernet Merlot 13.5%
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...
Restaurant 16 Neutral Bay And Some Fine Wines
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...
Wines of Alexander Valley, Sonoma California
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...
A day at Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley California
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...
Reid Family Vineyard Kyla’s Cuvée
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...
Reid Family Vineyard Napa Valley California
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...
2010 Richard Hamilton ‘Hut Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, 13.5%
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...
2010 Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 14.5%
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...
2006 Clefs des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
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....