Howard Park, Margaret River (Western Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon Leston Vineyard 2003 ($20, Commonwealth Wine & Spirits): Lovely cassis fruit, hints of chocolate and fine tannins combine to make this a juicy, fleshy wine. This vintage offers classic aromas of lime citrus and orange blossom, with a hint of minerality on the nose and mouth-watering acidity that will preserve this wine for more than a decade. Goundrey Off, Western Australia (Australia) Riesling "Spring" 2005 ($10, Constellation Wines U. Kudos to the producer for sharing this in such a way that all can get in on the game. Wine Adventure Wine Advent Calendar 24 Half Bottles CA ONLY | Costco. I'm not noting that to gloat, but rather to underline just how good this is for less than $20. Racy acidity without any sharp edges helps the aromas come alive as flavors in your mouth, adding a touch of apple to this creamy yet cleansing wine. Houghton, Western Australia (Western Australia, Australia) Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($15, Centerra/Constellation): The blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc-commonly known as SSB-is the fastest growing white wine category in Australia, and if this Houghton offering (in which the sweetness of fresh, ripe fruit combines with a palate cleansing zip of acidity) is a fair representation of the genre, it's easy to understand its popularity.
Kay Brothers, McLaren Vale (Australia) Shiraz "Hillside" 2019 ($60, Quintessential Wines): Kay Brothers "Hillside" is a very enjoyable Shiraz, one where the regional menthol character is nicely folded into plush black fruit and accented with notes of pepper and tar. Loaded with layers of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and currant fruit and a touch of oak spice, it has power without sacrificing elegance and at the price it's a steal. This wine awakens the imagination, because it never reveals too much of itself, but opens up slowly at first, then in good proportion with a mysterious depth and race, flanked by direct and linear tannins, which round off the polyphonic palate concert excellently. Plush texture with enough grip to keep the flavors lively in the finish makes for a crowd pleasing style that won't break the bank. Wine Advent Calendar | Portrait of a Wallflower | Flying Blue Imports. Although I appreciate aged Hunter Semillon, I found this wine lacking vibrant fruit, while beginning to show the characteristic toasted bottle aged notes. On a map it looks a bit like a pig's snout. With that said, I'll hopefully have a little added credibility when writing that this wine totally breaks the mold, showing remarkable intricacy and delicacy, with subtle aromas and flavors and precise balance of ripeness and acidity and a mineral finish that I'd never believe could come from the Barossa Valley if I hadn't experienced it for myself. Don't write an epitaph for this vibrant Shiraz. This invigorating dry Riesling demonstrates why the Great Southern region of Western Australia is renown for that varietal.
Just like the 2013 Brunello Rennina, this also has 15% alcohol but is so well balanced that you can hardly tell. The color is a brilliant pale straw and the aromatics show hints of ripe melons and passion fruit. It's a wine made for steak, burgers, ribs -- any good red meat would be a perfect partner. Wine Walk: The grape harvest in Texas is now under way. Full bodied and packed with complex aromas and flavors, this shows lovely notes driven by fresh fig and green melon fruit notes. This wine features expressive aromatics and a fresh, zesty finish as though Sauvignon Blanc were the dominant component, but also the broad midpalate of a varietal Semillon.
Not a cookie cutter style of Cabernet, it retains charms and character, qualities rarely found in wines from new producers. Penfolds, South Eastern Australia (Australia) Chardonnay "Bin 311" 2019 ($37, Treasury Wine Estates): I used to be able to keep track of new releases of Penfolds wines more closely than during the past few years, so the superb quality of this wine snuck up on me as an extremely pleasant surprise. While it may not age as well as some others, it tastes great right now. Alcohol content: 13, 00% vol. "Bright ruby garnet. Portrait of a wallflower merlot review. Innocent Bystander, Southeastern Australia (Australia) 2005 ($20, Old Bridge Cellars): This delicious, reasonably priced red is a blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier. While showing old-vine concentration, Romas still has finesse and a surprising delicacy in the finish. This is a great all-purpose red to have in your collection for near term drinking. Rosemount, Coonawarra (South Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon "Show Reserve" 2005 ($21, FWE Imports): Rosemount has re-launched its Show Reserve line, which includes two Cabernets.
Glaetzer, Barossa Valley (South Australia, Australia) Shiraz "Bishop" 2004 ($47, Epicurean Wines): Not just another Barossa Bazooka, this bottling delivers as much class and complexity as it does power and pushiness. This is a lovely cabernet with a fine blend of ripe berries and herbal notes. Henry's Drive, Padthaway (South Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($37, Quintessential): Quite good for an Aussie Cabernet, and more well balanced than this winery's super-ripe Shiraz. Bone dry, it has extraordinary balance and length and shows the potential of Aussie Riesling. 9-ounce cans of German beers "range from marzen (a lager that originated in Bavaria), to pilsner, IPA, doppelbock, hefeweizen, and more. Paringa, South Australia (Australia) Shiraz 2003 ($8, The Grateful Palate): I do not understand how it is possible to get this much flavor into a bottle and then ship it around the world to sell it for $8. Brisk acidity helps lift the honeyed fruit that is coupled with subtle roasted nut accents. Volume and vibrancy distinguishes this 2019. Oak is notable but quite subtle, and fresh acidity (another telltale note associated with cool climates) will make this a delicious partner for moderately robust foods like veal chops or grilled duck as well as the more usual suspects such as steak. Peter Lehmann, Adelaide (South Australia, Australia) "Layers" 2008 ($15, Hess Collection): I've never seen a wine under the Peter Lehmann brand that wasn't sourced from Barossa, but things are apparently changing since Donald Hess bought the operation relatively recently. This wine is more like a superb athlete--Rafael Nadal, let's say--who's powerful physique strength is further enhanced by his exquisite grace and finesse. Crisp and clean, the acidity smacks of fresh lime juice and the fruit lingers through the finish.
The tannins are nicely integrated and the wine shows a hint of spice. Jacob's Creek, Australia (Southern Hemisphere) Shiraz Two Lands 2013 ($14): The Two Lands Shiraz delivers the sort of value that was a huge reason Aussie wines first gained a toe-hold in America. This big, bold, juicy Shiraz should have widespread appeal. Though not especially complex, it offers deliciously opulent flavors, and is a delight to drink right now. Deadly stuff, this is a deal at $65. The 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and you definitely feel those full-throttle varietal aromas with big intensity and clarity. It exhibits good weight and richness on the palate, with layered aromas of blueberry and blackberry that carry through a lingering finish. It's from a region called the Pyrenees, northeast of Melbourne, that few outside Australia knew about, but wines like this will change that. Rich and densely textured, the beautiful fruit shines through without the distraction of new oak (St. Henri is matured in huge, old vats that impart just enough oak to add subtle complexity and texture minus the attention-grabbing harshness new oak often brings to a young red wine). I tend to prefer soft-spoken wines in general, as I like to hear what my food has to say, but every now and then I get a hankering for a screamer. The tannins are nicely integrated, making this vintage drinkable now, but it would benefit from another year or two in the cellar before serving. This wine shows great expression of fruit in a balanced blend. The wine is delicious now, but it promises to be even better when its exuberance calms down just a bit.
Dandelion Vineyards, Eden Valley (Australia) "Enchanted Garden of the Eden Valley" 2016 ($28): This is one of two fabulous Rieslings from Dandelion, and while this is the less expensive of the two, it's a stunning wine. Heirloom Vineyards, Barossa Valley (South Australia) Shiraz 2015 ($35): This is the sort of wine that Australian vintners can rely upon to win new friends and retrieve ones lost in recent years. Who sells such a wine in the USA? It reflects a desire to blend the best batches regardless of origin. Despite its stated 14. Wicked good wine now, and likely better and better over the next two decades. Flavors run the gamut from red to black fruits, and there is a distinct note of eucalyptus, which is the gum tree that is prolific in Australia, although I suspect the source of that aroma in this wine is new American oak. 1 Shiraz is drawn from Best's estate vineyards as well as trusted nearby growers. Sorry, but we weren't able to find the product you were looking for. Wood is notable but well in the background, and the whole package is very well integrated and extremely pleasant. Very yummy stuff no matter what the name and a steal at the price for a most unusual wine.
Backed by notable but ripe tannins and fairly restrained oak, this is juicy and flavorful but classy and interesting at the same time. "The Pieve Santa Restituta 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina offers intensity and beautifully concentrated fruit. In 2017 Sperss is not as huge as in some previous years, but then again, the move towards greater finesse has been in place for some time now. The flavors of red and black fruits are exceedingly deep and sweet, with flashy accent notes of mint and spicy oak. It's a good choice for spicy fare or as a stand-alone aperitif.
Give it a half day in the decanter near term, or age long term. Langmeil, Barossa Valley (South Australia) Shiraz - Viognier 'Hangin Snakes' 2012 ($19, Negociants USA): Aussie Shiraz remains among the world's most appealing big red wines. Tryst, Adelaide Hills (South Australia, Australia) Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon/Pinot 2007 ($14, Click Wine Group): A very interesting and useful blend, this shows highly expressive aromas and excellent balance between crisp freshness and generous depth of flavor. Jacob's Creek, Southeastern Australia (Australia) Riesling Reserve 2005 ($13, Pernod Ricard): It is rather remarkable that Jacob's Creek maintains such consistently high quality on this wine that is produced in large volumes. Six Sparkling Nights.
Knockout young Brunello from Gaja, one of the very best in memory. " Hence the touch of eucalyptus on the nose, which you won't find in reds from Abruzzo. Most surprisingly for Malbec, it has real finesse, in part, no doubt because of the modest 13% stated alcohol. The juicy blend of Merlot became a rosé when at bottling the cellar crew noticed the wine's lovely shade of pink. 5% alcohol, it is balanced, not 'over the top. '
Rolling, Central Ranges (Australia) Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2006 ($10, Cumulus Wines Inc. ): Tank fermented to amply display the primary fruit flavors of both varieties. Unlike other Sauvignons from Western Australia, which tend to be floral, this one is distinctively earthy. Smith and Shaw have two vineyards totaling 55 hectares (135. I talk a lot about acidity in my reviews, and I definitely have a preference for wines with a strong acidic presence. Although this is packed with flavor and fun, it is also nuanced and very interesting and very well made. Howard Park, Great Southern (Western Australia, Australia) Shiraz Scotsdale Vineyard 2005 ($25, Bluewater Wine Co. ): The Great Southern is south of Margaret River and can be cooler, giving the fruit a more clearly defined edge, with crisp natural acidity. Savory notes mix with deep dark black cherry notes and prevent it from coming across as jammy or overdone. In short, the wine is varietal without compromise, New World without compromise. Wakefield / Taylors, Clare Valley (Australia) Riesling "Reserve Parcel" 2019 ($25, Taylors Wines): Riesling has found a more than suitable home in Australia, particularly when it comes to dry styled examples.
Watershed, Margaret River (Western Australia) Shiraz 2004 ($19, America Uncorked): Delicious and spicy, showing intense aromas of raspberry and red currant, this is a lovely, remarkably well-balanced Shiraz from Margaret River, which is probably better known for its Cabernet than its Shiraz. Wakefield / Taylors, Clare Valley (South Australia) Shiraz "St. Andrews", Single Vineyard 2016 ($80): Based on its dark, dense appearance alone, I was all buckled up for a wild ride with this wine, but what results is actually an extremely civilized experience at a dizzyingly high level of quality. If you've got a child born in 2010 and would like some birth year wine to open on a future occasion like college graduation or marriage, this should be a prime candidate. Serve with a roast of lamb and rosemary. On the palate it certainly proves tasty, but its flavors are not as complex and hence not as compelling as those truly seductive aromas.