Yangarra Estate Noir 2018

It's only April and perhaps we've seen the bargain of the year. Wickedly juicy, one glass just isn't enough.

d'Arenberg The Cenosilicaphobic Cat 2009

The name is a mouthful so just go with "fear of an empty glass" for simplicity.

A union of unusual bed fellows in the form of Sagrantino 90% and Cinsault 10% which were blended after two years in old French and Amercan oak.

Stemmy aromas first up but these settle. A good decant and airing fixes that. Loads of mouth drying and puckering tannins dominate the landscape so food is needed. Hang on, I'll rephrase that... It's bloody tannic! Behind that, and you'll need to dig, sit red berries, dark cherry, wallet leather and purple flowers. It's almost a yin and yang effect with bold structure and tannin but some softer fruit qualities.

For all its complexity and the questions tossed up, I keep going back for more. Must be a sign of a decent drop?

Although already five years old, a few more years in the cellar won't hurt to see it at its best.

Region: McLaren Vale

RRP: $30

Source: Sample

www.darenberg.com.au

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Magpie Estate The Mixed Thing 2012

An interesting mix of the lesser known varieties grown in the Barossa. A medley of Cinsault, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Tannat and Ruby Cabernet. The quantities are unknown nor do I care too much simply because this is just a great little drop.

Why? I get a sense my tongue is a target at the rifle range with shots of flavour hitting randomly all over yet it settles to a smooth and long finish. So much going on and I like it.

Dark cherries, and there are lots of them! Plums, cranberry as well as some blueberries.

A wine not to think too much about. Just to rip the cap off and enjoy it with friends. This certainly wouldn't be out of place at a Sunday barbeque. A bargain too at $20.

The back label suggests can be served with a slight chill. I gave this a shot...yum!

Who: Magpie Estate
What: Cinsault, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Tannat & Ruby Cabernet (13.5% alc)
Where: Barossa
When: 2012
How much: $20

www.magpieestate.com

Smallfry Red Blend 2009

As the name suggests, this is a small winery tipping out some excellent wines from the Barossa and surrounding areas. Having had several of their reds and whites, these wines are consistently good.

This red blend is a fruit salad of sorts - Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro, Carignan and Cinsault. The latter two add a wonderful dimension to the wine both on the palate and nose.

There is something for everyone in this one. Sweetness from the grenache, spice from the mataro, a delicate softness on entry balanced by a rustic harder edge. I really enjoyed what was on offer.

Medium purple in the glass, a nose of some cherry, jubes but also some delicious plummy hints. The palate followed through from the nose beautifully. Wonderful texture, juicy fruit and well balanced. There was an inviting softness but also a harder edge giving it some good punch too. Smooth tannins on a super long finish.

Over two days there was an evident warmth which at no stage was a turn off, but only screamed out for a cold night by the fire or a hearty meal.

I picked this up for a ridiculous $18 - what a bargain. A great drop all round!

https://www.smallfrywines.com.au/