Logan Chardonnay 2004

Having tried their base Chardonnay, which was quite a fresh, simple well made wine, decided to give their main Chardonnay a go. Mid golden, on the nose were aromas of citrus, orange peel, yeast and cashews. On the palate it had flavours of orange again, vanillan and a small amount of oak. The structure was not that quite integrated, and there was some sulphur lurking. Weight wise it was a little thin and short. Overall a good attempt but could definitely be better crafted, which their cheap chardonnay is.
50+4+12+13+6= 85/100

Grant Burge Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV

Needing something sparkling, Phil and I grabbed this, as it doesn't stay on the shelves that long. This is great value sparkling wine. It had a lovely bready nose, with honey, nougat, biscuit and a touch of apricot. Palatewise it was a little less complex, but tight dryness and fine persistant beading made it a perfect palate cleansing wine. Perfect with our Thai entrees. This is great value and drinking at $25. 50+4+13+15+8 = 90/100

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 1999

I have had the 1998 vintage of this semillon some months ago at a restaurant, and was very impressed, so decided to give the 1999 vintage a go. On the bouquet were soft aromas of lemon and lime, a touch of honey and toast and possibly a hint of wax. On the palate it held fresh lime flavours, lemon curd, with a little toast, spice and vanilla. Very well balanced and smooth, this was quite fresh and refined drinking, and would develop very nicely with further ageing. Overall this I think is the finest Australian Semillon I have tasted to date, and only wish it's price was more affordable. Would be perfect with lemon Sole.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2004

Another Chilean chardonnay, this was mid-rich gold in colour, with a pungent bouquet of warm fruit, oak and nuts. Initially a little violent on the palate, it did calm down with melon, soft vanillan, almonds and a dry Spanish finish. This was OK, and I liked it better at the end of the bottle. Robust overall and holds its own well with food. 50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Tyrrell's Reserve Belford Semillon 1999

Pale to mid gold, this semillon had a very refined bouqet of lemon, honey, toast and a hint of vanilla. But the refinement ended there, as on the palate it was thin, sharp and acidic. Dissapointing for a wine already 7 years old, and I couldn't really see it improving that much for another 3 or even 5. Overall not worth its price, but you could mask the dissapointing palate with some grease, say some battered fish and chips.
50+4+13+12+6 = 85/100

Henry Fessy Beaujolais-Villages Domaine des 40 écus 2005

Lovely ruby-crimson, this Beaujolais (Domaine of the 40 Sheilds?) made from Gamay held a bright fresh fruity bouquet of cherries, strawberry, redcurrant and hints of hay, nuts and white pepper. On the palate it was very soft, dry with short length and finish. A nice example of Beaujolais. Lovely and ladylike.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

J. Vidal-Fleurie Cotes du Ventoux 2004

Being the second Cotes du Ventoux I have tried, I did have reservations. Initial aromas were slight, being a soft cherry with spice in the background, but as the wine warmed more aromas were forthcoming, including black pepper, cedar, nougat, violets and caramel. Palate wise it was very soft, smooth and well balanced, with medium body and length. After unlocking, this wine is quite enjoyable, enough so to explore wines from this region further.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Ruffino Rosa Di Ninfa Rosa Toscana 2005

This rose from Italy is very light in colour, and had aromas of strawberry, honey, and glints of rose petals. On the palate it was quite light, with light cherry and strawberry, with a nice dry finish. Not the best rose around, and could do with a bit more structure on the palate, but nevertheless good light drinking.
50+4+12+13+6 = 85/100

Cono Sur Chardonnay 2005

From the Colchagua Valley in Chile, this Chardonnay had a bright warm nose of tropical fruits, with hints of nuts. Palate wise it was well balanced with a soft creaminess. A little oak was evident, and had good length and a tight dry finish. Again, another Chilean white wine of good value and craft. They have a nice flash website too, but their company name is well, a bit wanky. 50+4+12+15+7= 88/100

Yering Station Chardonnay 2005

Pale Straw in colour holding a pure clean nose of flinty minerally characters with citrus, nuts and a touch of ash. The palate is clean and fresh with decent oak integration. Good balance with a tight minerality and slightly oily mouthfeel. A bit short on length, it is nevertheless a well made mid-priced chardonnay.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

De Bortoli Premium Reserve Merlot Cask 2L

Needing a cheap red cask, primarily for cooking, and better still to drink, I picked up this on a Quaff recommendation on its packaging being cask wine of the year 2006. And it may be true, as the bouquet on this Merlot was delightful, with cherries, violets, earth and autumnal mulch, not dissimilar to a decent Pinot Noir. Palate wise it was relatively light, with soft fruit and mellow acidity, making it very easy drinking. At around $10 this is great value, and one of the best bouquets I have had on red wine in a cask to date.
50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100

Amberley Estate Chenin Blanc 2005

Light straw in colour, the aromas were predominantly fruit salad comprised of red apples and pineapple. On the palate sweet red apples and pineapple, probably too sweet showing residual sugar. The acidity was not integrated, and split the palate, making it a touch volatile. Fairly round with a medium finish. Overall it lacked balance and was really not crafted that well. Disappointing.
50+4+11+11+6= 82/100

Dunsborough Hills Shiraz 2002

With fruit sourced from the Margaret River and Donnybrook, the initial bottle of this we opened was corked. But quickly ran down and replaced it as it showed promise. On the bouquet this had rich berries, pepper and spicy oak. On the palate it got better, with a wonderfully silky mouthfeel of soft fruit puree, with soft tannins and smoke. Medium in body and length this was very enjoyable drinking. I wish I had taken a bottle of this to the shiraz tasting, as it would have done well.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Domaine de la Garreliere Chenin 2004

A Chenin Blanc from Richelieu, Loire, rich gold in colour, this wine showed a somewhat reserved bouquet of green apple, honey and a touch of spice. On the palate were big cruncy green apples, touches of cinnamon and minerals. The acid was evident, yet softer and more balanced than other chenins/Vouvrays I have had in the past. Overall this is a very nicely crafted wine, supple and rounded with medium length and finish. Quite elegant, but would prefer a bit more liveliness on the bouquet. A good, safe example of the style.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

Cassegrain Chambourcin 2004

On the eve of another trip to the Hastings region, another Cassegrain wine. First that I have seen in a Sydney bottleshop (Annandale Cellars). So giving a twirl with Chambourcin. Light to medium colour, very leathery, slightly floral bouquet and wonderfully smooth full mouth, not a million and one flavours, but earth, dark sour fruits with the refreshing tannins. A lovelly chewy wine, yet smooth mellow in the mouth, very nice.

Rating 17.5/20
Affordability: Good for what you get
Alc 13%

Good call Phil. Deb and I tried a bottle of this last night and were impressed by it's unique flavour. Sort of a animal musky bouquet, with cherries and a sourness which reminded me perhaps of a cross between a mahgarita and sangria. Very easy drinking and good with food, in our case roast chicken with fennel. I believe Cassegrain make a rose from this grape.
50+4+12+16+7= 89/100

Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2005

Pale green-gold, aromas on this riesling were lemon, green apples, white fruit and flashes of grilled nuts and honey, something akin to baclava, as well as a touch of fish right at the back. The palate was tight and austere, with a smooth oily consistency, with good minerality and focused fruit. Acidity was robust, lending a definitive German/Austrian feel with a very long dry finish. This could definitely be cellared for some time. Excellent example of riesling in this country, and would recommend you try this and the Clare Valley riesling.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

A cheap red for dinner, this was admittedly a little young and could do with a bit of time in the bottle. Once it blew off, aromas of cherry, spice and oak. Again on the palate, with medium body and length, with a slightly volatile finish. Not bad for under $10, but not as good value as their riesling.
50+4+11+13+6 = 84/100

Tasting 05 - Shiraz - Results

Tasters were: Simon, Heike, Philip, Deborah and Brett.



1. Secret Places Shiraz 2002
Made by Kilikanoon from the Barossa Valley, this wine was very well balanced straight out of the bottle. It had aromas of soft plum and blackberry, with hints of caramel and spice. On the palate it was very smooth and medium bodied, with soft fruit and velvety tannins. Very well integrated with a tight dry finish. (WINNER).

2. Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2004
Again from the Barossa, this shiraz had plum and cherry flavours, with earth and a touch of banana leaf. A little thinner in body, it was well balanced with toasted oak and a soft dry finish. (2nd Place).

3. Charles Melton Shiraz 2001
Unfortunately this wine was corked, so we couldn't rate it. (Un-rated)
The dense ruby/purple-colored 2001 Shiraz is a full-throttle, classic South Australian Shiraz possessing abundant aromas of new saddle leather, creme de cassis, smoke, earth, and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and potent, with surprising purity as well as overall symmetry for a wine of its size, it will age for 5-10 years. - Robert Parker

4. Shottesbrooke Shiraz 2004
From McLaren Vale this showed promise. Initially relatively thin it had interesting aromas of strawberry, berries and spices. Palate wise it was mostly fruit, and not much oak. Light tannins and not much length. (3rd place)

5. Mount Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2002
From Victoria, this wine had a minimal bouquet. On the palate it gave more, being rich plum and berries, with decent weight and firm structure. Good body and length, but really needs a bouquet which may explain it's price reduction at the moment. (4th place)

Suggested wine for next tasting was Riesling, with a Fondue and Schnapps.

Big thanks to Simon and Heike for hosting a lovely evening.

Primo Estate La Biondina Colombard 2005

Picked this up for free from Vintage, as was curious about it's blend of Colombard, sav blanc and riesling. Pale yellow, initially it had big passionfruit aromas, which gave way to banana and melon. Palate wise it was very crisp and juicy, finishing clean and crisp with balanced acidity. Overall a delightfully fresh, light and fun wine, well made and good with our Thai meal. A great summer wine. 50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 2005

Pale green-gold, the aromas on this riesling consisted of lemon-lime juice, florals and musk. The palate had a slight oily consistency, with white fruits, sherbert and a soft minerality. A lovely mouthfeel, clean crisp finish and medium length. This is beautifully made riesling, with a slight German/Austrian feel. I will need to have this again.
50+4+13+16+8 = 91/100