Wine Reviews
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Mount Mary Quintet 2010
According to Langtons this is the highest rated wine from the Yarra Valley and this vintage lives up to that reputation. Another Bordeaux blend of cabernet varieties it has all the classic cabernet flavours of sweet berries mixed with a green herbal finish. The tannins are fine and the finish is long and elegant. A superb wine that is worth more than the asking price.
Yeringberg Shiraz 2010
A Shiraz Viognier blend that is a little unusual from the Yarra Valley. Dark coloured with flavours of cherries and blackberries and distinct menthol and cedar. It needs some time to soften and mature.
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2010
A classic Penfolds Shiraz which is at the lower end of the Penfolds Bin range. Grapes are from all over South Australia, not just the Barossa Valley. Shiraz flavours of plum, liquorice, chocolate and mocha. Rated as one of the best ever Bin 28s.
Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2010
This is the third vintage of Bin 150. When the first vintage was released 2 years ago it achieved great acclaim. Last year's 2009 vintage was not quite up to the same standard, but this vintage is. Very much classic Barossa Shiraz with flavours of berries, plums, and liquorice that will improve with age.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Penfolds Bin 407 had long been the poor cousin of the top rating Penfolds Cabernet, Bin 707 and given the price difference this is no surprise! Consequently I have never rated Bin 407 very highly, but this is the best Bin 407 I have drunk. Flavours of ripe blackcurrants and cassis. An excellent Cabernet.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Bin 389 is one of Penfolds most famous wines. Often referred to as "Baby Grange" it is a classic Penfolds wine that is loved by many. I know of one person who buys it by the pallet load! Flavours of prunes, berries and liquorice, big and mouth filling. At first taste an exceptional wine, from an outstanding vintage.
Paringa Estate Viognier 2009
This is the Viognier component of the Shiraz Viognier on its own. The flavours are quite subtle for one of the better Viogniers with some apricot and apple. Quite rich and mouthfilling without rising to the heights of some other Viogniers.
Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
A delightful Cabernet aged to perfection. It still retained distinct Cabernet fruit flavours, but they have softened over time and integrated with the oak to provide a fine example of Tasmanian Cabernet. A well structured berry flavoured wine, with just a little oak, that is drinking very well.
Grosset Gaia Cabernet 2001
While the Clare Valley isn't in the Cabernet league of Coonwarra and Margaret River, its good Cabernets are very good. And this is one of them. It shows the advantage of the blend with the Cabernet Franc adding additional flavour and complexity and the Merlot having a smoothing effect. Lovely flavours of berries, plums and spices without any of the common Cabernet herbal characteristics. A mature wine that is complex, smooth and elegant and that rewards the patience of cellaring.
Balnaves Sparkling Cabernet
Most Australian sparkling reds are Shiraz based so this one is a little unusual. But if you are a Coonawarra winery it would be out of character not to build on your strongest variety, i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon. So this wine is not as big or as rich as a Barossa Sparkling Shiraz. What it does have is slightly sweet blackberry and black currant flavours and good texture and complexity, a more subtle style than the Barossa Shiraz, and perhaps a little more elegant. Good value for the price.
