Boireann Merlot Petit Verdot 2009

A tiny operation on the Granite Belt in Queensland, all of these wines are made damn well.

The vineyard has been wiped out by frosts in some previous vintages, yet winemaker Peter Stark manages to also source fruit from other Granite Belt vineyards and mould them into exceptional pieces using his precise touch. From the beginning of the 2009 vintage, frost was once again the villain taking out much of the Barbera, Tannat, Nebbiolo and Viognier with the remaining vines intact, though some bird damage didn't help. All fruit for this wine was estate grown.

This wine a blend of Merlot (70%) and Petit Verdot (30%), and gee it works. Softness and grunt. Plenty of depth with black fruit characters, white pepper, a touch of oak, forward fruit, and a lovely warmth to complement a hearty meal on a cool night. The wine finishes off beautifully with excellent length.

All sold out of the 2009 - the winery only makes approximately 800 cases per vintage with all wines moving pretty quickly. If ever seeking out what a Granite Belt red can offer, Boireann is definitely a place which should be on the top of your list.

Who: Boireann http://www.boireannwinery.com.au/
What: Merlot, Petit Verdot (13.2% abv)
Where: Granite Belt
When: 2009
How: $22

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Di Giorgio Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Many elements of this wine presented well but others left me scratching my head.

A nose of black fruit and a slight whiff of leather, but in the end it was quite placid with nothing jumping out of the glass.

Black fruits flowed onto the palate with a touch of sweetness (14% abv), but to me it felt a little angular and disjointed. Big juicy tannins with a drying finish.

I'd be interested to see what a few more years does here as I'm confident the wine will improve into a neat package, but keeping in mind it is already an '08.

Who: Di Giorgio http://www.digiorgio.com.au/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (14% abv)
Where: Coonawarra
When: 2008
How: $26

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Angove Long Row Shiraz 2008

If you are after a cheap bottle of red wine, look no further.

The Angove Long Row range has regularly been of outstanding quality for the price point, and here lies another example.

I have seen this on the shelves, yes still the 2008 vintage, and what a bargain deluxe it is. Sure, it is not going to scoop the pool at wine shows, but that is not why you would be spending $10 or less on a bottle of wine. For drink ability, varietal characteristics and value, whoa, this is superb!!

Good dark fruit colour with a nose of red berries, spice and pepper. Some oak poking around in there too which is great, and admittedly, the oak would be chips or staves, but their presence adds another dimension to the varietal characters already present.

Upon entry the fruit persists in the front palate with plum, spice and pepper. The fruit is by no means dense nor heavy, but has enough weight to be respected.

Finish is fine with dusty traits, which lingers well.

Seriously, you'd be happy to pay double and still be satisfied. All this for $9.75 rrp, and I've seen it readily available and discounted to a mere $8!

Go on big spender...treat yourself. You'll be surprised :)

Who: Angove http://www.angove.com.au/
What: Shiraz (14% abv)
Where: Riverland, South Australia
When: 2008
How: $8
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Koonara "Ambriel's Gift" Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

This wine just kept growing on me. Gee it was enjoyable!

A super nose of dry herbs, jam, currants, spice even a hint of rust.

The texture was fine and presented a full palate (13.5% abv) of stewed dark fruits, sweet mint, cedar and juicy tannins.

Pretty damn fine and good buying for $30!




Who: Koonara http://www.koonara.com/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5%abv)
Where: Coonawarra
When: 2008
How: $30

Follow them: www.twitter.com/Koonara
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Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

This latest release is a mighty impressive wine.

A great whiff of spice, cedar and the unique characteristic generally only found in Margaret River Cabernet being bay leaf.

The palate is well structured and has tremendous depth of fruit. Flavours of red berries and raspberries contribute to a persistent and filling palate.

A classy finish with powdery tannins wraps up an impressive wine which is approachable now but will also reward long term cellaring.
Stand up and applaud!

Who: Cape Mentelle http://www.capementelle.com.au/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5%abv)
Where: Margaret River
When: 2009
How: $89

Follow them: www.twitter.com/Mentelle
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Turkey Flat Butchers Block SMG 2010

I was super impressed with the previous vintage, so it was without question I had to have a look at the 2010. You can check out my thoughts on the Butchers Block 2009 here.

A blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre with percentages of 53/31/16 respectively, all straight from the Barossa Valley.

The nose oozes earthy, black fruit, cherry and spice characters with a gentle whiff of bark. The wine spent approximately 18 months in French oak which added nicely to its overall appeal.

I really like the palate structure. Great depth of fruit, a rustic meaty type in a way with that lovely spice flowing through from the nose. Soothing warmth on the palate calls out for a nice hearty winter meal.

A persistent finish with good grip signs off on yet another impressive Butchers Block. Readily available for $22.50 (rrp), but I have seen it discounted for just under $20 which is immense value.

This is a neat twist for those who love a GSM (just like me!).

Get your mitts on some!

Who: Turkey Flat www.turkeyflat.com.au
What: SGM (14.5% abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2010
How: $18
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Yalumba "The Strapper" GSM 2010

A great little GSM for the price point ($18) which ticks all the boxes.

The wine was fermented in a mix of oak vats and stainless steel, and then aged in a mix of large, small and puncheons to develop a wine without too much oak influence.

Typical GSM characteristics in the mix here including leather, earthiness, and a lovely warming spice on a drying finish.

Yalumba manage to always deliver quality and here is yet another example. Drink in the medium term. Wash down a hearty meal with this, and it's happy days!

Who: Yalumba http://www.yalumba.com/
What: GSM (13.5%abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2010
How: $18
Follow them: www.twitter.com/yalumba
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Zema Estate "Cluny" Cabernet Merlot 2008

An enticing nose of stewed black fruits, cassis, spice and sweet mint. Palate sweetness was evident from the nose too.

Plenty of black berry characteristics on the palate with the fruit ready to rip. A little sweetness rolls out the carpet inviting for you to leap in. I can see how this wine can easily appeal to the occasional drinker.

Fine tannins to finish off, a very pleasant drop. Drink now.



Who: Zema Estate http://www.zema.com.au/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Malbec (5%) (14% abv)
Where: Coonawarra
When: 2008
How: $26

Follow them: www.twitter.com/CoonawarraK
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TeAro Estate "Jokers Grin" 2008

I'm just going to keep this simple, because this was simply outstanding!!

For a blend to be thrown together to get this outcome...you'd only wish every blend was as delicious.

The traditional blend used for the Joker's Grin is Shiraz and Cabernet only, but the warmth of the 2008 vintage needed a little tinkering, and what a result!

As soon as I tipped this into the decanter, my nasal cavity was smashed with a berry basket. Mighty impressive, and as time went on, the nose grew deeper and more concentrated. Perfect start!

The wine is a blend of Shiraz (41%), Cabernet (41%), Merlot (18%) and they are all interwoven perfectly. A slick splinter of oak further enhances the palate, all tidied up with a lick of spice.

A generous length which is fine and smooth - talk about bang for buck ($20 rrp)

One of the best blends I have had at this price point. Man it's good! That "Jokers Grin" will stay wrapped around your face for a while after this passes your lips.

Who: TeAro Estate http://www.tearoestate.com/
What: Jokers Grin - Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (14.5% abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2008
How: $20

Follow them: www.twitter.com/TeAroEstate
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Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Viognier 2011

Viognier often gets tarnished with the perception that all you get is apricots. I acknowledge this as many in the market fit the stereotypical mould perfectly and you'd be best off buying a can of apricot nectar and guzzling that instead.

But here my friends is a Viognier which makes you sit up and take note! It's a refreshing thought and just as refreshing on the palate too.

Sure there is apricot on the nose, but this gentle fragrance only entices one's curiosity, and it is coupled with orange peel and a slight whiff of bark, due to the brief six months it sat in French oak.

The palate is clean and entertains some canned peach and stone fruit characters. Fruit weight is not too heavy and complements this style nicely. A gentle refreshing finish.

Wash this down with a delicious seafood pasta dish and you'll be smiling all the way to the bank. I had it with a basil pesto penne, field mushrooms and king prawns - yum!

Who: Murray Street Vineyards http://www.murraystreet.com.au/
What: Viognier (13%abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2011
How: $20

Follow them: www.twitter.com/murraystblack or www.twitter.com/msv
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Kangarilla Road McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

A fragrant nose delivering chocolate, a little charred oak, and a touch of rose petal along with savory herbs.

Both American and French oak were used in an even mix of 1, 2, 3, 4 year old, which has resulted in an very good integration of fruit and oak.

The mid palate is concentrated with black fruits and black olive flavours clearly evident. I really enjoyed the long persistent finish of fine tannins.

For $20, this wine screams great value.

Who: Kangarilla Road http://www.kangarillaroad.com.au/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon (14% abv)
Where: McLaren Vale
When: 2010
How: $20

Follow them: www.twitter.com/Kangarilla
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TeAro Estate "Two Charlies" Barossa Valley GSM 2010

TeAro Estate is a small Barossa Valley winery which is operated by 3rd and 4th generation family vignerons after being established in 1919. TeAro translates to "Happy home" inspired by a family relative who had family connections with New Zealand.

I'm a big fan of the small operators and this place fits the mould perfectly. A hands on winery with tradition and history adding to the goodness that comes out of the bottle.

This wine is named in honour of the "Two Charlies" who were Great Grandfathers and the pioneers of the winery. I discovered this picture of Charlie Fromm which gives you a picture of the history - I love it!

Grenache for this wine is dry grown and the percentages in the Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre blend are 65, 30 & 5 respectively.

There is a bright appearance in the glass which can be put down to the high percentage of Grenache in the blend, with a most intriguing nose of blackberry, earth, raspberries, dark cherry, leather, and native floral all wrapped a neat spice parcel.

These characters flowed neatly onto the palate. On occasion, spice sometimes steals the show in the GSM blend, but not in this case. So much so it sits nicely without dominating allowing the earthy, fruit and savoury characters to take the limelight.

Pleasing length and a fine grip finish off a wine which is very approachable now and will only get better in the medium term. Only 293 cases made and great value for $22. Claim some before it is too late!

Who: TeAro Estate http://www.tearoestate.com/
What: GSM (14.5%abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2010
How: $22

Follow them: www.twitter.com/TeAroEstate
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O'Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2011

From the wettest vintage in 40 years, the crew at O'Leary Walker have delivered another beauty. Some wineries in the area were ditching much of their crop - even picking the fruit to then throw it on the compost heap, but the quality has still been maintained at O'Leary Walker here.

This Riesling is quite aromatic and very approachable, easily lending itself to be had sipping away on a lazy, warm afternoon.

Straw appearance, the wine delivers lemony, citrus blossom characters which all leap to the fore, complimented by tinges of green apple and even a slip of peach.

A refreshing crisp finish with good acid structure will ensure this will age nicely for at least ten years.

In the end, this is a belter for the price of $18, and it showcases once again why Riesling represents brilliant value on the shelves.

Who: O'Leary Walker Wines http://olearywalkerwines.com/
What: Riesling (12.2%abv)
Where: Clare Valley
When: 2011
How: $18

Follow them: www.twitter.com/olearywalker
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Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Mataro 2010

I looked at this Barossa Valley Mataro over two days and it took on a tremendous metamorphosis, delivering a wine with power and sleek finesse.

Initially, I felt this wine appeared to be a loose party boy dressed in his tuxedo and told to behave, and right on cue, he loosened the tie, undid the top button and got a little foot loose!

A captivating nose of chocolate, spice, dry fruit and fruit cake. Plenty here to send the senses wild.

The palate was a smash hit showcasing super depth and length. Those chocolate and fruit characters from the nose were concentrated on the palate and kept the beat whilst the deliciousness of anise got jiggy with it. A gentle tickle of spice ensured the party kept kicking on with generous length and fine tannin.

A super wine representing super value ($25!) from a super Barossa Valley producer.

Who: Murray Street Vineyards http://www.murraystreet.com.au/
What: Mataro (14.5%abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2010
How: $25

Follow them: www.twitter.com/murraystblack or www.twitter.com/msv
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Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

A most impressive Cabernet.

Although the colour lacks a little depth, the nose was filled with blackcurrant, spice, mint, clove and some sexy oak. The alcohol was obvious (14% abv) on the nose but was irrelevant after the wine sat in the glass for a small period of time.

The palate was full with great flavours of black fruits, dark plum and that beautiful oak shone through again. There was a red earthiness too which was to my liking.

Powdery tannins on the finish make you sit up and take notice of this great piece of work.

Delish and well priced for $29 rrp.

Who: Leconfield Wines http://www.leconfieldwines.com/
What: Cabernet Sauvignon  (14% abv)
Where: Barossa Valley
When: 2009
How: $29


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