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
2006 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
From one of the coolest vintages in Margaret River's history comes this remarkable wine, a wine that some experts have described as the best white wine made in Australia. Well since there was just the two of us at home for this New Years Eve, we...
White Winemaking Masterclass
A friend has just given me a bottle of Muscat from Rutherglen Estates. In the bag with the bottle was a copy of their Spring 2010 newsletter that included the following article on the making of white wine. I thought I'd share it with you. White...
2002 Seppelts Chalambar Grampians Shiraz
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...
2005 Yalumba The Signature Cab Sauv Shiraz
This wine has a long lineage, having been made since 1962, and a distinct place in Australian wine history. This vintage is still available in major liquor stores at around $40 which is wonderful value for a beautiful wine with some of the...
2008 Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5%
This wine is named after the Terra Rossa cigar shaped piece of Coonawarra from where this comes. The wine made a headline recently by being named 'Wine of the Year' in 'The Big Red Wine Book' by Gary Walsh and Campbell Mattinson. They Describe it...
Tar and Roses Heathcote Shiraz 2008
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...
2007 Woodlands ‘Margaret’ Reserve Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec
As I have noted previously, 2007 is shaping as a vintage vintage in Margaret River; I have now tried several Cabernet's and Cabernet blends, and from the sub-$20 right up to the big guns the wines have been remarkable. For the sub-$20 market you...
Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 2006
This week's SMH wine of the week is the Yalumba 'The Cigar' Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 2006. Huon Hooke writes :- 'A new label from Yalumba, this wine won three trophies including best of show at the 2009 Limestone Coast Wine Show. While the...
2002 Brothers In Arms Shiraz Tasting Notes
This has been sitting in the cellar with its twin 'Brother' for long enough; although the back label says hang on for up to 20 years tonight was the night. This is another Langhorne Creek wine that happily sails under the radar and excels in all...
2007 Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Notes
Just another Margaret River Cabernet from the 2007 vintage that, although not rated as a 'best ever' vintage, is nonetheless turning up some extraordinary wines. The bonus for us lovers of cab and cab blends is that several of these wines are on...
Voyager Estate Girt By Sea Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007 Tasting Notes
Huon Hooke's SMH wine of the week this week is the Voyager Estate Girt By Sea Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007. Huon writes: 'Long-serving winemaker Cliff Royle and viticulturist Steve James made a great double act at Voyager, until Royle departed...
Mt Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz 2003 Tasting Notes
You know which your favourite wines are when you are always looking for an excuse to bring one out of the cellar for some dinner guests.This was tasted with said guests, and a seasoned webber roasted whole fillet of beef accompanied by a roast...