This is the budget shiraz from renowned Grampians winery Mount Langi Ghiran and it gets a capital V for value from me even if the fruit is drawn from three different regions; home soil, Bendigo and Swan Hill. The whole cool-climate shiraz thing is going on here with plenty of pepper and spice on the medium-weight palate with some fine tannin action, but there's also plenty of sweet dark fruit flavours (and 14.5% alcohol). A terrific wine for affordable everyday drinking pleasure.$18. www.langi.com.au.
Showing posts with label shiraz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shiraz. Show all posts
Shiraz does not have to be in-your-face; all macho and snarling. It can also be soft, silky and amenable, as is this case with this old favourite from Bendigo winery Water Wheel. Estate grown, this has a ripeness and softness to it that makes it irresistible; a veritable Lolita. There are also some savoury, earthy notes but it is the vibrant dark berry fruit that leads the way. A real bargain and a great choice for a weekend barbecue. $18. www.waterwheelwine.com.
Clonakilla is a family winery, established in 1971 at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra. Winemaker Tim Kirk is the man who put shiraz viognier blends on the map in Australia and his success with that combination sometimes tends to overshadow the other wines in an impressive portfolio; like a terrific 2010 riesling and this comparative bargain basement red made from fruit grown in the Hilltops region outside Young, which is producing some stunning shiraz grapes. This is a generously proportioned wine with plenty of richness and flavour (dark plums, currants and spice) but also with nicely balanced cedary oak, some elegance and definite aging potential. $30.
Mike Press is a winemaker who has been around the block a couple of times and now makes wines under his own label that represent phenomenal value for money at $150 for a case. This is a lovely fresh wine made from Adelaide Hills fruit with dark berry flavours and a good dollop of spicy oak. There are some nice textures and it’s well balanced – ridiculously good for the price really. The only problem is it might be hard to track down, but you can order it from www.mikepresswines.com.au. Get together with a couple of friends, order a dozen and plan a party. $12.50.
St Henri is often an unsung hero when it comes to Penfolds' range of premium reds but there's no chance of the 2006 being overlooked - it's an absolute ripper. It's a gloriously out-there wine in which pure fruit flavours are the focus, with oak influence negligible. It has bright, concentrated fruit flavours on the blueberry side of the spectrum, some light spice elements, lovely length on the palate and plenty of weight, while being beautifully balanced. It's drinking superbly right now (our bottled seemed to miraculously evaporate) but this is a proven cellaring prospect. Australian shiraz doesn't get much better. $90.
This was one of my favourite wines from a recent trip to Canowindra and Orange in the Central West of NSW - and it's all the more meritorious because it follows in the footsteps of the much-awarded 2007 shiraz, which is all but sold out. Winemakers Chris Derrez and Tom Ward have got it right again with a wine that has excellent complexity but is also very easy to drink. Dark berries and spice characters are prominent and this has already won a gold medal at the Royal Sydney Wine Show. Excellent value for $20.
The Paxton vineyards in McLaren Vale are farmed using biodynamic principles and the wines certainly shimmer with bright fruit. This is made from old vines and is a lovely shiny wine with appealing spicy dark berry characters, minimal oak and a delightfully silkly palate. Despite being the product of a warm year, the alcohol is relatively restrained at 14% thanks to the fruit having been picked early. Available from Dan Murphy's stores and a very good buy for $20.
Bin 389 is one of Australia's vinous treasures. Created by Max Schubert, who also made the early Granges, it is sometimes decribed as "baby Grange" because components of the wine are matured in barrels that held the previous vintage of Australia's most famous red. This is a stunning 389, tightly-focussed with bright dark fruits, immaculately integrated oak and ripe tannins. A wine of complexity and structure that will certainly repay cellaring - although it would be superb right now with a roasted lamb, goat or venison. $65.
Adam Foster is the sommelier at the Lake House in Daylesford, one of regional Australia's most outstanding restaurants. He's also a winemaker of considerable ability, as is underlined by this impressive shiraz made from fruit grown at Heathcote in central Victoria. It's a powerful and expressive wine with toasty oak prominent but also shows some restraint - not an easy trick to pull off. Fabulous drinking even in its youth. $50.
Rory Lane is the former marketing manager for Shelmerdine who has struck out on his own and is making some excellent wines using fruit from Victoria’s cool-climate Grampians region (www.thestory.com.au). There are two individual vineyard wines for around $45, but this suits me just fine, thank you, with lovely fruit and some real elegance on the palate. Natural yeast, unfiltered, unfined, sensible alcohol (13.5%) - and absolutely terrific. $24.
If only all Australian shirazes were this good. Shaw and Smith use cool-climate Adelaide Hills fruit but still manage to produce a beautifully balanced medium-bodied wine that has plenty of juicy impact while at the same time offering elegance and hints of spice. French oak plays an understated support role with the vibrant fruit the star here. Deep red in colour, aromatic and appealing, this is a wine of concentration and quality that is drinking splendidly right now but will also cellar well. $38.
Vintage after vintage this is one of Australia's great wine bargains. OK, so it is still very youthful - but it is also very drinkable. There's plenty of flavour here with rich berry and dark plum characters on the palate and spicy, peppery nuances. Medium-bodied and stylish and nicely balanced with 14% alcohol, this is one of those reds that you should have a case of - just in case. Often found for much less than the recommended retail of $19.99.
Who would have thought an unlikely blend of Frankland River and Mudgee shiraz would be this delicious? Lip-smackingly sweet dark fruit flavours, spice hints, good oak - really soft and approachable. This label is really hitting its straps. $25.
Cold nights are upon us, so the time is right for a bottle of something hearty to accompany stews and casseroles. This is plummy and rich, but not too rich, with nice pepper characters, soft appealing tannins and good length. A lot of wine for $22.
Former Shelmerdine marketing manager Rory Lane is making tiny quantities of high-quality wine from the Grampians. This is an elegant cool-climate red with real character and drinkability - and excellent value for money at $24.
Rich, ripe fruit is the key here; this is a bold red with plenty of personality, but also with finesse and layers of flavours. Plum and dark berry characters to the fore with savoury hints and soft tannins. A serious wine that will cellar well. $55.
Cornelius is a new label from the Scotchman's Hill winery outside Geelong and this is an outstanding Rhone-style shiraz which has been hand-picked, open fermented and given top-class oak treatment. Well balanced with real personality. $45.
One of an outstanding range of shiraz releases from an iconic winery in the Grampians of Victoria, this is a delicious (and affordable) cool-climate red with complexity, intense fruit flavours, savoury nuances and lovely texture. $25.
One of an outstanding range of shiraz releases from an iconic winery in the Grampians of Victoria, this is a delicious cool-climate red with complexity, intense fruit flavours, savoury nuances and lovely texture. $25.
The perfect choice for meat eaters. A bargain from one of the Barossa's most reliable producers. Juicy fruit flavours, hints of chocolate, a soft, mellow finish. A wonderful match for home-made hamburgers. $20
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