Wine Reviews

What a sensational wine. It is deep purple/ruby in colour. On the nose there are blueberries and prunes. On the palate it really comes to life with slightly sweet blueberries and blackcurrants, mocha, spice and balsamic. The tannins and very fine. This is a full bodied big and beautiful wine with a long finish. All indications are that this wine has a long time to go, but it is so good now, don't wait too long. Some of the other reviews I have read of this wine give the impression that it is almost too big, but that is not the case, so don't be scared off!

A big McLaren Vale Shiraz. It is a very deep ruby colour. On the nose there are black fruits and hints of oak. On the palate there is everything, plums, black fruit, spice, bacon, mint, menthol and lots more. This wine is very complex and it keeps evolving as it opens up in the glass. The tannins are fine, it is juicy, sumptuous and full bodied with a long finish. 

Victorian Shiraz are usually not quite up there with the big South Australian Shiraz but this one is not too far behind. What it lacks in sheer power it makes up for in elegance and finesse.The colour is deep garnet. On the nose it is herbal and meaty. On the palate the full range of flavours come out with mulberry, spice, cedar, pepper and some herbal, stalky flavours. The finish is quite astringent and almost like a Cabernet. As it opens up its complexity and balance show through. There was a lot of sediment in the bottle, so decanting is important.

One of the lighter, lower alcohol, more elegant Victorian Shiraz. Medium garnet in colour and a nose of medium intensity with black plum and fruit cake. On the palate there is black fruit but the secondary flavours of fruit cake and chocolate are coming through. The finish is graceful, elegant and rich with fine tannins.

This Victorian Shiraz is made from a small area of vines planted in 1860, some of the oldest vines in Australia. It is medium Garnet-Tawny in colour, reflecting its age. On the nose there is blackberry, plum, black cherry and herb aromas. On the palate similar flavours plus savoury oak and espresso. The tannins are quite course and the finish is quite chewy, not unlike a good Cabernet Sauvignon. A good wine non the less.

Rockford is one of our favourite wineries and Basket Press is their best wine. However, like some other reviewers we struggled with this wine. Of course it didn't help that it was included in a tasting of other very good Shiraz. It it medium ruby in colour with a subtle nose of black fruits. On the palate there are currants, plums, sweet oak and chocolate. The wine is medium bodied and the finish is short with drying tannins.  

This is not your average Australian Sparkling Shiraz that tastes of fruitcake and Christmas pudding. This one is more complex and savoury. It has more structure to it and it is dryer than most. So while it is different, it is also very good, and many will prefer this style.

What an exceptional desert wine this is. Topaque is the new name for Tokay, now that the Hungarians have exercised their claim to that name. Rare is the top of the four step scale for Rutherglen Topaque and Muscat and this one lives up to that rating. It is rich, complex, balanced and integrated and a joy to drink. All the flavours are there too, sweet citrus, coffee, honeycomb and raisins. The alcohol is high at 18% but sits well with the sweet flavours. 

This wine is a blend of two Italian varieties, Barbera 79% and Nebbiolo 21%. It is medium ruby in colour. It tastes juicy, fresh, savoury and is medium bodied. Something fresh and different and a joy to drink.

Nebbiolo is an unusual variety in Australia, but on the evidence of this wine, that is very unfortunate. This is a very good wine, different to the main stream Australian reds of Shiraz, Cabernet and Pinot. It is smooth, supple and elegant, not as big as a Shiraz or Cabernet. Flavours of ripe cherries and a long finish with fine tannins. A wine that you  just want to keep on drinking.