Australia doesn't produce too much Malbec but it has found a place in Argentina. Typically Malbecs are medium to full bodied that pair well with spicy or heavier foods such as beef. They can move into the blackberry jam end of the spectrum with a rustic earthiness coming into play after a little time in the bottle. The better versions balance red and black fruits with the massive tannic backbone.
Terrazes De Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2007
Oh baby this is a big muscular wine with tannins to burn. It's like a personal assault of your taste buds however they do not distract from the effortless flow of the wine. The flavour profile is definitely savoury and needs to be paired with a superb beef casserole. I sat with this wine for a while and it showed flavours of red fruits, sweaty socks, menthol, smokey sour cherries with a little rust and spicy dates. All of these exquisite flavours sat on a great length palate.
Friday, 19 August 2011
Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2010
Last year I wasn't a fan of the 09 Riebke (81pts) so it was good to see things turn around. The Riebke and the Two Gentleman are made in a drink now, instant pleasure sort of way. On a marketing front it is good to see the price jump back to around the right mark as over the last two years it has been significantly discounted in the big stores. It is brilliant to see medium size wineries standing up against the big boys. All we need now is more like Kym.
Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2010
My notes read a little chalky tannin adds interest. Sounds like my previous note! However, the flavour profile is so much different. There is Christmas cake, red fruits, with a boiled blackberry making its way in on a medium to good length palate. The acidity brings everything back together. The only draw back was a mild alcohol warmth and the oak still mildly dominating on day three, but for the money I'm not concerned at all. Good quality Barossa Shiraz which is good value. What else could I ask for?
Teusner Riebke Shiraz 2010
My notes read a little chalky tannin adds interest. Sounds like my previous note! However, the flavour profile is so much different. There is Christmas cake, red fruits, with a boiled blackberry making its way in on a medium to good length palate. The acidity brings everything back together. The only draw back was a mild alcohol warmth and the oak still mildly dominating on day three, but for the money I'm not concerned at all. Good quality Barossa Shiraz which is good value. What else could I ask for?
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $17
Rated: 85
Drink: now - 2016
Price: $17
Rated: 85
Drink: now - 2016
Teusner Two Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
In 2007 Kym Teusner won the Gourmet Traveller young wine maker of the year award and he is a finalist for the 2011 wine maker of the year. His style of wines are high in juicy fruit without much oak influence and even though I thought the quality in last few vintages has dipped a bit, I think he is back on track. The dip could have been associated with two hot Barossa vintages which compared to others, Kym dealt with it rather well. The range of wines he produces has grown but I still think the heart and soul of his range is firmly with the Joshua and Avatar. Now to the new range.
Teusner Two Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
The wine starts out with blueberry pie, dark currants and green herbs but it is the effortless flow of flavours on the medium bodied good length frame that excites me the most. There is minimal oak handling and a light soft chalky tannin which leaves the wine feeling beautifully melded together. On the second day a bunch of flowers with some twig action joins the party and this is a party wine.
Teusner Two Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
The wine starts out with blueberry pie, dark currants and green herbs but it is the effortless flow of flavours on the medium bodied good length frame that excites me the most. There is minimal oak handling and a light soft chalky tannin which leaves the wine feeling beautifully melded together. On the second day a bunch of flowers with some twig action joins the party and this is a party wine.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $17
Rated: 86
Drink: now - 2016
Price: $17
Rated: 86
Drink: now - 2016
Outlaw Wines 5 Star Shiraz 2008
I thought I would write this note as I structure my tasting notes, without the scores for colour, nose and taste. It's a short note but it allows for an insight into how I taste. Practically all the wines I review get judged over a 3 to 5 day period. I have never seen this label before so I tasted first, then went about finding some information about the winery. I didn't even know the price until everything had been written up.
Outlaw Wines 5 Star Shiraz 2008
Flavours: Blackberry syrup, spice, charcoal and leather
Length: Medium to short
Tannin: A little underneath the flavour
Balance: Ok - alcohol providing warmth - on the sweet and cuddly side
Comments: A good entry level Barossa shiraz priced right
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $14
Rated: 83
Drink: Now
Outlaw Wines 5 Star Shiraz 2008
Flavours: Blackberry syrup, spice, charcoal and leather
Length: Medium to short
Tannin: A little underneath the flavour
Balance: Ok - alcohol providing warmth - on the sweet and cuddly side
Comments: A good entry level Barossa shiraz priced right
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $14
Rated: 83
Drink: Now
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Greenock Creek Apricot Block 2004
Greenock Creek make a variety of single site Shiraz aged in all American oak to show off the individuality of each site. What a brilliant idea! Regionality to the max. Out of all their wines I preferred the Creek Block Shiraz. As the salt levels have risen they have become noticeable on the palate, and therefore Greenock Creek have decided to stop production. They have planted a new vineyard called the Chook Block. It was located on the property next to theirs with a run down chook shed. They have now planted a Shiraz vineyard in its place.
Greenock Creek Apricot Block 2004
When I was a young boy I always dreamed of being a cowboy. Roaming the country with a whip in one hand, droving the cattle during the day and sleeping under the stars. Once the job was done we would russell up some hearty beef stew and drink a bottle of this. You need a meat flavour to tame this wild beast of a wine. Well, it has mellowed with age and would go perfectly in the cold of winter. The main drive of the wine is blackberry marshmallows mixed with leather, bitumen and pepper. The palate length is very long with chalky tannins pulling the flavours with them. The only worry was the alcohol on the back end thus I would recommend drinking this in winter.
Alcohol: 14%
Price: $45
Rated: 88
Drink: now - 2018
Greenock Creek Apricot Block 2004
When I was a young boy I always dreamed of being a cowboy. Roaming the country with a whip in one hand, droving the cattle during the day and sleeping under the stars. Once the job was done we would russell up some hearty beef stew and drink a bottle of this. You need a meat flavour to tame this wild beast of a wine. Well, it has mellowed with age and would go perfectly in the cold of winter. The main drive of the wine is blackberry marshmallows mixed with leather, bitumen and pepper. The palate length is very long with chalky tannins pulling the flavours with them. The only worry was the alcohol on the back end thus I would recommend drinking this in winter.
Alcohol: 14%
Price: $45
Rated: 88
Drink: now - 2018
Killibinbin Shiraz 2007
The label makes this wine. It is packaged very smartly with a bit of fun or tongue-in-cheek sophistication adding appeal. The wine on the other hand left me feeling under whelmed.
Killibinbin Shiraz 2007
This wine attacks my palate with fruit that tastes charcoaled. If I had to nail down flavours, I would say prunes and raisins with a little mint coming through that refreshes me, but all in all my palate was left feeling tired. I was expecting this to taste plush with a nudge of vanilla oak but all I got was a spiky sensation on my tongue.
Alcohol: 15.5%
Price: $30
Rated: 75
Drink: now
Killibinbin Shiraz 2007
This wine attacks my palate with fruit that tastes charcoaled. If I had to nail down flavours, I would say prunes and raisins with a little mint coming through that refreshes me, but all in all my palate was left feeling tired. I was expecting this to taste plush with a nudge of vanilla oak but all I got was a spiky sensation on my tongue.
Alcohol: 15.5%
Price: $30
Rated: 75
Drink: now
Monday, 15 August 2011
Coriole The Optimist 2008
Ever since I tasted the 07 Sangrantino, I have wanted to work at this winery just to see how they do it. Now I have a casual job at the cellar door so read the following note bearing that in mind.
Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $30
Rated: 91
Drink: 2024 - 2041
Coriole The Optimist 2008
Coriole has been making Chenin Blanc for a while now but they only delve into the reserve bottling on occasions. As this is not released I am thinking that this will be an age worthy version. Over the three days that I had this open it revealed something extra every time I went back. It is still very light on its feet with lemon balm, hay, crushed wet pebbles with spicy melon but the structure says put me away and I will reward thee. Mouthwatering acidity says I need food!
Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $30
Rated: 91
Drink: 2024 - 2041
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