Shiraz Reviews

Shiraz Reviews

Mt Langi Ghrian - Grampians (VIC) Shiraz 2004 - $75

Originally established in the 1870's, the winery is now owned by the Rathbone group, which has other star labels as Parker estate in Coonawarra, and Yering Station, in the Yarra Valley.

This wine was in a blind line up with some pretty spectacular competition (including the 2004 Grange, which was excellent, but a very long way from drinking), and just shone.

Super peppery - a real cool climate shiraz, characteristic, and one that has seen the Grampians as a region shine for those true pepper characters in cool climate shiraz. Well balanced, with dense blackcurrant, cinnamon and black olive. The 2006 is the currant release, but the 2004 proves that time is your best friend with this cool climate shiraz.

Food: Osso Bucco

98 Points

Value

Dalwhinnie Eagle Pyrenees (VIC) Shiraz 2004 - $180

The “Eagle Series” Shiraz has been made using traditional Rhône winemaking techniques incorporating foot crushing, whole bunch fermentation, extended skin contact and maximum lees contact.

This winemaking style does make this wine quite unique, and the result is a chewy, black pastille, dry style, with lingering leathery tones. mouth filling & very long finish.

www.dalwhinnie.com.au

94 Points

Value

Angas Plains Estate PJ’s Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2006 - $20
Phillip & Judy Cross's wines have started to hit their straps in the last few years, having Peter Douglas (ex head Wynns winemaker) make their wine. A reasonably young vineyard - planted in 1994 - with a very bright future.

Spritzy big fruit, chewy, sightly dried blackcurrants, cloves & balanced sweetness. Drink now - 3yrs.

91 Points

Value

www.angasplainswines.com.au

Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2007 - $16
Taylors really do have to be commended for producing a consistently good wine, year in year out, for around the $15 mark - and turns out they have been commended, with them winning the “Best Value Dry Red Table Wine” for this wine at the Sydney International Wine Competition. Kudos.

Rich dense blackberry fruit & big rich flavours - nice silky tannins & a med-long finish.

90 Points

Value

Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (2007)

Taylors Jaraman Clare Valley McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007 -$28
The Jaraman (Aboriginal for seahorse) is always a blend from two exceptional regions known for the variety. Always good value, always pretty classy & complex.

Blackberry & Apple custard tart, earthy Blackberry & cigar box. Drying medium to long length, with a cloves and liquorice finish. Lots going on in this wine, and will be interesting to look at in 6 months (I'll review it blind with a group again). I believe this sort of wine is what makes Australia so unique - we are able to take two parcells of fruit, from different regions, both with different yet complimentary flavours to create a more complex wine.

92 Points

Value

www.taylorswines.com.au

As far as I can tell you can't buy Taylors wines direct, so here's a wine shop for purchase:
TAYLORS JARAMAN - SHIRAZ

1. Sevenhill Indigo Clare valley shiraz 2006 - $20
To say these are old vine is something of an understatement, with the youngest block being 35 years old. The oldest was planted 140 years ago (due to the little root-eater Phylloxera, there is very, very few vines in Europe this old, and they no doubt rate as some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world).

Rich, fresh blueberries & supple integrated oak, finishing with great tannins - a super elegant, well balanced wine, which will get even better over the next 10 years. This must be one of the few wines in Australia that has grapes from "Ancient vines" (over 70 yrs old) for a measly twenty bucks. You won't feel bad about buying a case.

95 Points

Value

www.sevenhill.com.au

Tyrrell's Rufus Stone McLaren vale Shiraz 2006 - $20
5 Generations of the Tyrrell family have certainly created a solid family winery which just keeps getting stronger, with James Halliday naming it the winery of the year for 2010. This is no mean feat, when you have a range of wines as broad as this company. Their aged Semillons are just about as good as they get (not a white wine site! maybe I'll have to review a few...).

Silky, nice balanced oak with chewy blackcurrants (big alcohol?). Finishes a bit hot, but nice smoky cigar box & molasses.

91 Points

Value
www.tyrrells.com.au

www.winehouse.com.au

Penley Hyland Coonawarra Shiraz 2006 - $20
These vineyards sit on the Eastern side of Coonawarra, with some darker soils mixed in with the famous Terra Rossa Red soil. As a kid I remember these paddocks (before they were vines) being underwater, but having the dry years in the last ten years has meant Penley has had some great soil moisture retention, no doubt helping with some outstanding vintages in the last 5 years. This wine alone has won something like 7 medals - deservedly so.

Tight minty, slight dried blueberry pastille on the nose - almost metallic nose. Menthol start in the mouth, finishing with dried blueberries and .

92 Points

Value