Wine Review
Archive -
Australia, Shiraz/Syrah and Shiraz/Syrah
Blends
($13).
Deep scarlet color and heady with violet-scented
black currant. Medium- to full-bodied
plum and blackberry fruit picks up dark
chocolate, anise and a touch of toasty
oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine
12/04)
($15). Lush blueberry
and red berry fruit is laced with smoky
oak, coffee and vanilla notes. Smooth,
easy finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine 06/06)
($15).
Blackberry and plum flavors are smooth
and ripe, with hints of dark chocolate
and warm, spicy oak that linger on the
moderate finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine 06/06)
($35). Deep, rich blackberry, plum and
blueberry fruit is layered with pretty,
exotic spices, roasted coffee and toasty
vanilla. A mouthful of flavors that linger
on a long finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next three or four years. (Weekend
Wine 06/06)
($10).
Jammy, concentrated, bursting with ripe
red cherry and berry fruit, with a slight
smoky character on the finish. Easy
to drink now! (Weekend Wine, 04/03)
($32). From powerhouse Barossa Valley
Estate comes this "second label"
-- same great winemaking, lower price.
Deep and dark, with concentrated black
plum and cassis fruit, beautiful texture,
and peppery, vanillin oak accents. Lush,
lingering finish. Ready to drink now
and over the next four or five years.
(Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($10). Amazing
value price for this rightly constructed
wine with concentrated currant, licorice,
and pepper. Tannins are a bit firm at
this stage, but should soften within just
a year or two. Buy a case if you can,
you'll enjoy this one for years to come.
(Robyn's Picks, 11/00)
($23).
Riper than the 2003, with black pepper
accents to the full-bodied, intensely
colored black cherry and berry flavors,
with layers of cigar box, baking spices
and sweet vanilla through the lingering
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next four or five years. (Weekend
Wine 03/06)
($23).
Roasted meat and white pepper aromas introduce
focused red berry and currant flavors
that stay focused and tightly wound through
the moderate finish. Ready to drink now
and over the next five or six years. (Weekend
Wine 03/06)
($8). Good!
With a zesty black pepper kick accenting
the ripe red currant and cherry fruit.
Easy to drink and ready to drink now.
(Weekend Wine 02/05)
($15). Black currant
fruit is ripe and full-bodied, with
meat, spice, earth and dark chocolate
accents. Big and ripe, certainly, but
with respectible complexity and depth
of flavor. Ready to drink now. (Robyn's
Picks 10/04)
($11). Red currant, solid spice, a dash
of black pepper, and subtle oak all add
up to a solid and very enjoyable New World
syrah. The unexpectedly long finish is
a nice surprise. (eVineyard Picks, 09/00)
($9). Medium-bodied dark cherry and
plum flavors are accented with black
pepper and freshly cut herbs. A supple
mouthful. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine 10/05)
($8). A pretty little wine, with smooth
blackberry and spicy oak flavors supported
with racy acidity. Easy quaff and good
with food. Heck of a deal! Ready to
drink now. (Bargain Wine 04/05)
($8). Fruity, very subtle hints of herbal
and spice notes, light to medium bodied,
minimal pesky tannins to slow you down.
Tasted remarkably similar to the Cabernet
and the Merlot. We're fairly sure that
at some point during the evening, it all
became more of a Black Swan Red Cuvee
-- with Shiraz splashed into a Merlot
glass here, and a "which one of these
was mine?" there. One way or another,
they were all polished off with the greatest
of ease. Any, all, or a combination of
them would make a great red wine choice
for a big crowd! (Weekend Wine, 08/03)
($13). Jammy
and appealing, with deep, ripe plum
and black cherry laced with nutmeg,
black pepper and toasty oak. Ready to
drink now. (Bargain Wine, 10/03)
($33). Delicious overall package, with
distinct white pepper and spice aromas
and flavors mingling with ripe black currant
and blueberry fruit. Finishes with smoky
oak. Ready to drink now and over the next
three or four years. (Weekend Wine, 04/04)
($22). Concentrated and silky, with red
cherry and berry fruit accented with pepper
and spice, toast and vanilla that all fold
together onto a smooth finish. Ready to
drink now. (Weekend Wine 04/08)
($28). Rich, spicy nose introduces
pretty, supple black plum and currant fruit,
with a healthy peppery kick throughout.
Ripe without being jammy. Quite appealing.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (World Wide Wine 04/05)
($65). Pretty, aromatic blackberry and
raspberry fruit is delicately laced
with sweet, smoky tobacco and mushroom
notes. Supple tannins and a long, smooth
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next seven or eight years. (Weekend
Wine 04/07)
($78).
Concentrated, inky-purple, and rich --
offering pretty blackberry, plum and floral
aromas and flavors before picking up roasted
meat and mint on the full-bodied finish.
Decant to drink now; should age nicely
for 10+ years. (Weekend Wine 04/07)
($78). Rich
and smooth, with aromatic, lush blueberry
and black cherry fruit layered with smoky
bacon, mushroom and white pepper. A nice
balance between richness and elegance.
Ready to drink now and over the next seven
or eight years. (Weekend Wine 04/07)
($100).
Silky black fruits are the stars here
-- blackberry, black currant, dark plum.
With licorice and warm baking spices emerging
on the smooth, generous finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next 10+ years.
(Weekend Wine 04/07)
($100).
Tightly wound red currant and berry fruit
open up through the long, mouthwatering
finish to reveal subtle touches of white
pepper and roasted espresso. Stays focused
and racy throughout. Very pretty. Ready
to drink now and over the next 10+ years.
(Weekend Wine 04/07)
($325).
Dense and very nearly mesmerizing, with
silky, smoky cassis and blueberry fruit
layered with truffle, vanilla bean, cedar
and coffee notes that linger on the elegant,
evolving finish. Tempting now (with a
bit of decanting), but should age beautifully
for 10+ years. (Weekend Wine 04/07)
($70). Loads of cracked black pepper accents
ripe cherry and blueberry flavors, finishing
broadly, with tobacco and leather notes
adding complexity. Ready to drink now
and over the next 5-6 years. (Splurge
Wine, 08/04)
($18). Lush and smooth, this Shiraz blend
is rich with ripe red fruit and touches
of spice and earth. Wonderful finish.
So versatile with food. (Robyn's Picks,
02/01)
($19). Delicious and
a heck of a deal, with racy red cherry
and currant flavors laced with clove,
bacon and toast. Finishes smooth and
generous. Ready to drink now and over
the next four or five years. (Weekend
Wine 10/06)
($10). Lush and pretty, with lipsmacking
blueberry and red cherry fruit laced
with floral, spicy and earthy accents.
A blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre.
A heck of a deal. Ready to drink now.
(Weekend Wine 07/05)
($19). Dense and cedary, with concentrated
blackberry and black currant flavors
accented with black pepper, dark chocolate,
mint and black olive notes. Good length,
with a rich finish. Ready to drink now
and over the next three or four years.
(Weekend Wine 09/06)
($35). Enchanting aromatics
include floral and peach, introducing
voluptuous black cherry and berry fruit
layered with anise and clove and toast.
Pretty acidity throughout. Ready to
drink now and over the next four or
five years. (Weekend Wine 07/05)
($65). A "wow" wine -- intense
without being jammy, with beautiful
black currant and blackberry flavors
with warm spices, mushroom, white pepper
and cigar box accents. Long, complex
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next seven or eight years. (Weekend
Wine 07/05)
($10). Clean, pure fruit flavors and
aromas feature bright, sweet strawberry
and raspberry, with a hit of white pepper
on the pretty finish. Easy to drink
-- great value. A blend of Grenache,
Shiraz and Mourvedre. Ready to drink
now. (Weekend Wine 03/05)
($19). Concentrated, aromatic red berry
and currant fruit is layered with lush
mocha, sweet tobacco, generous baking
spices and a dash of earthy warmth.
A nice value. Ready to drink now and
over the next three or four years. (Weekend
Wine 06/05)
($18). Juicy and plummy, with excellent
concentration, nice tannic structure
and an interesting peppery note that
lingers through the finish. A blend
of Shiraz and Grenache. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(World Wide Wine 04/05)
($65). Earthy blackberry
and spice aromas introduce waves of
licorice, white pepper, concentrated
red currant and blackberry fruit. Ripe
fruit is supported by firm tannic structure.
Finishes with a wave of chocolate. Very
nice. Ready to drink now and over the
next four or five years. (World Wide
Wine 04/05)
($18). Incredible bang for
the buck here, with ripe, juicy black
cherry and berry fruit laced with mouthwatering
black licorice and warm spices. Stays
focused through the lingering finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next
5-6 years. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($17).
This annual favorite is back with a wine
that is solid and in-your-face, full of
spicy cherry and peppery kick. Give it
a couple of years to smooth out and then
enjoy with grilled steak and barbecue.
(Robyn's Picks, 02/01)
($9). Appealing
everyday red from Australia, this offers
medium-bodied red berry and currant flavors
that pick up fresh mineral and lightly
spicy notes on the finish. Ready to drink
now. (Weekend Wine 02/07)
($35).
Big and bold, with leather and tobacco
accents to the full-bodied red currant
and plum fruit, picking up mint and anise
notes on the lush, lingering finish. Very
good now and over the next four or five
years. (World Wide Wine 01/05)
($62).
Dense and ripe, but maintains a sense
of elegance, with black cherry fruit
layered with mocha, smoke and sweet
herbal notes. Lovely, long finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next 8-10
years. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($25). Juicy berry,
coffee, fennel, and spice combine to
make an exceptionally well-structured
and balanced wine that continues to
unfold on the finish. Wonderful now
and for the next couple of years. (Robyn's
Picks, 11/00)
($60).
Lush and silky cherry, blackberry, toasted
oak, and nutmeg run wild here. The finish
will knock your socks off. Awfully good
now, but this baby will cellar beautifully
for the next six or seven years. (Robyn's
Picks, 11/00)
($22).
Intense, spicy berry aromas introduce
red plum and currant flavors, black pepper
and baking spices. Finishes long and rich,
with sweet vanillin oak. Good value here.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
years. (Weekend Wine 11/05)
($17). Very appealing, with warm spices
that lace red currant and berry fruit,
finishing with a delicious chocolate and
anise burst of flavor. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(World Wide Wine 04/05)
($37).
Loved the fine acidity weaving through
the focused red berry and cherry fruit,
with warm anise and black pepper notes
evolving on the generous finish. Very
good now and over the next four or five
years. (Wine Skinny Best 04/05)
($28). Textbook example of Aussie Shiraz,
with waves of ripe red cherry, currant,
white pepper, toasty oak, and generous
vanillin oak. Blockbuster style -- full-bodied
and lush. Lingering finish. Ready to drink
now and over the next three or four years.
(Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($15). Pretty aromatics and flavors
include sweet red fruit and spice notes,
with a long, toasty finish. Slurpably
delish! Ready to drink now. (Winery
Spotlight 10/05)
($15). A tasting favorite, with full-bodied
black currant and blackberry flavors accented
with aromatic white pepper and vanillin
oak. Supple mouthfeel, with plenty of
underlying tannic structure. Ready to
drink now and over the next couple of
years. (Wine Tasting 02/05)
($15).
Quite nice -- very good Shiraz at
this price point, with loads of flavor
and personality -- a good cheese party
wine. Black cherry, baking spices
and a kick of pepper some together
on a ripe, lipsmacking finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next couple
of years. (Bargain Wine 10/07)
($14). Deep and full of ripe red and
black berry and plum fruit and laced
with black pepper that lingers on
the moderate finish. Nicely balanced
and easy to like. Ready to drink now
and over the next couple of years.
(Weekend Wine 07/06)
($19). Dense and focused, with dark
cherry and blackberry fruit supported
by smoky cedar, licorice and earth
that linger on the finish. Ready to
drink now and over the next four or
five years. (Weekend Wine 09/06)
($15).
Jammy red berry and cherry fruit are
lively and appealing, with a touch
of spice emerging on the finish. Versatile
with food. Ready to drink now and
over the next four or five years.
(Weekend Wine, 08/01)
($16). A dose
of Heathcote Shiraz blends into this
complex, well-priced Shiraz from Victoria.
Rich black cherry and berry fruit is
accented with anise, sage and black
pepper. A lot of wine for the money.
Ready to drink know and over the next
couple of years. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
($18). Loved this
wine - and a great value, too! Appealing
whiff of fresh earth gives way to concentrated
black currant and berry flavors, white
pepper and anise. Balanced structure,
with a generous, evolving finish. Very
good now and should age beautifully for
seven or eight years, or more! (World
Wide Wine, 01/05)
($16).
Ripe blackberry fruit is laced with
vanilla oak, meat, and briar notes.
Dry tannins. Tightly wound finish. Very
nice! Ready to drink now and over the
next three years. (Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($16). Nicely integrated aromas and
flavors include red cherry and plum
fruit, licorice, toasty oak, and a dash
of cinnamon. Supple mouthfeel. Nice!
Ready to drink now and over the next
couple of years. (Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($16).
Spicy bouquet introduces bright red
currant and plum skin flavors with an
appealing herbal note coming up on the
fruity finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next year. (Richard's Picks,
12/03)
($40).
This wine is aging beautifully, with its
rich black currant and berry fruit, layers
of black licorice, black pepper and tobacco
notes swirling and evolving. Beautifully
integrated flavors. Finishes long and
elegantly. A great example of a top tier
Shiraz. Ready to drink now and over the
next five or six years. (Richard's Picks,
12/03)
($15) --
Wonderful! Concentrated red currant and
plum fruit, with healthy doses of pepper
and nutmeg. Smooth and well-balanced,
this wine is a winner now and will continue
to improve over the next five years. Excellent
value. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
($75). Voluptuous and ripe, with waves
of black cherry and berry fruit studded
with mint, black pepper, leather and oak.
Beautifully structured. Ready to drink
now and over the next four or five years.
(Weekend Wine, 06/03)
($N/A). Spicy plum and black
cherry, with touches of bright red raspberry
and silky tannins, this is a very enjoyable
wine. Tempting now, but probably better
with a couple of years of bottle age.
(Robyn's Picks, 11/00)
($12). Concentrated cherry and plum fruit,
with pretty toasted oak, smoke and herbal
notes. Smooth and well-structured. Nice
finish. Great value. Ready to drink now
and over the next year or two. (Weekend
Wine, 04/03)
($13). Rich and nicely
integrated, offering blackberry fruit,
pie crust, vanilla and toasty oak. Smooth
and easy to enjoy. Ready to drink now
and over the next three years. (Robyn's
Picks 10/04)
($30). Rich and opulent, with velvety
finesse, featuring deep, spicy chocolate
notes accenting concentrated cherry and
black currant flavors. Finishes long and
lush with subtle touches of eucalyptus
and spicy, smoky vanillin oak. Ready to
drink now and over the next three of four
years. (Weekend Wine, 08/05)
($22). Chocolate cordial aromas pick
up more depth and spice on the palate.
Lush black currant and blackberry fruit
is nicely layered with cracked black
pepper, clove and subtle, integrated
toasty notes. An appealing, restrained,
food-friendly style. Ready to drink
now and over the next three of four
years. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
($28). Plummy and exotic,
with aromatic floral notes lacing ripe
blackberry and juicy plum flavors, licorice,
sweet tobacco and vanilla accents. Stays
focused and elegant through the long finish.
Hard to resist... and really, why bother?
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
($20). Lush, seductive
bouquet includes peach and apricot and
floral components that also weave through
the chewy black currant and cherry flavors,
along with cedar and smoke and cracked
pepper. Ready to drink now and over the
next three or four years. (Weekend Wine
06/05)
($13).
Really delicious and one of the best
deals in this article! With ripe black
cherry and currant flavors accented
with loads of cracked black pepper,
licorice and cedar. Stays big and
flavorful through the long finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next
three or four years. (Bargain Wine
10/06)
($8).
Easy-drinking stuff, with sweet, ripe
red cherry and berry, vanilla and
toasty oak. Finishes with all juicy
fruit. Ready to drink now. (Bargain
Wine 08/05)
($9).
Dried cherry and warm spice aromas
and flavors. A dash of tartness helps
balance the ripe character. Generous,
focused finish, especially at this
price point. Heck of a deal! Ready
to drink now. (Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($13).
Spicy cherry and cola notes are ripe
and juicy, finishing with dark chocolate
and coffee accents. Ready to drink
now. (Bargain Wine 08/05)
($8). Sweet red cherry and spice flavors
finish with a bit of milk chocolate
and vanilla oak. Ready to drink now.
(Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($13). Pretty blackberry and sweet floral
aromas lead to smooth blackberry fruit,
milk chocolate and black licorice flavors.
Lots of body and some dry tannins on
finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine, 02/04)
($10). Tasty and medium-bodied, with
red berry and plum fruit, herbal notes,
finishing with fine tannins. Ready to
drink now. (Weekend Wine, 04/03)
($14). Sweet red cherry and toasty oak
bouquet leads to deep red cherry and
currant fruit, spicy oak, licorice and
black pepper notes, and a generous finish.
Best of tasting! Ready to drink now.
(Weekend Wine, 04/03)
($10). Not crazy about this one –
it had a cherry cough-medicine flavor
that overwhelmed everything else. (Bargain
Wine, 04/03)
($50). Concentrated black
currant and plum fruit is laced with
chocolate, espresso and mint. Nice structure;
should age well. Focused finish continues
to evolve, picking up white pepper and
more herbal notes. Very good now and
over the next 5-6 years. (Splurge Wine,
08/04)
($50). Full-bodied and
intense, with concentrated black currant
and cherry fruit layered with deep milk
chocolate and mint accents. Delicious
overall package that is excellent now
and over the next four or five years.
(Weekend Wine, 02/04)
($9). This is a fun easy-drinking wine
at a great price. Jammy plum and red
cherry aromas and flavors are balanced
with doses of white pepper and earthiness.
We paired it with grilled salmon, twice-baked
potatoes, and a green salad. The salmon
had plenty of spicy seasoning going
for it and was a surprisingly good match
with the medium-bodied wine. (Weekend
Wine, 10/00)
($17). This is the second "Lodge
Hill" wine we've totally fallen
for (the first was the Riesling). This
is an elegant style, with bright black
plum and berry flavors, delicate anise
and pepper spices, a hint of vanilla
and toast, and a long, mouthwatering
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next two or three years. (Weekend
Wine 09/06)
($15). Layered and complex, offering eucalyptus-laced
red currant and cherry fruit, along with
white pepper, mint and tobacco notes on
the finish. Medium- to full-bodied, with
an impressive lingering finish. Very good
now and over the next couple of years.
(Robyn's Picks 10/04)
. This is a Grenache-Shiraz-Cabernet
Sauvignon blend from the makers of some
of the best and most powerful Shiraz in
Australia – their Oracles Shiraz.
While the Oracles retails around $45,
this Siblings is closer to $15. The 1998
vintage’s heady bouquet features
jammy sweet fruit and a touch of spicy
oak. These notes are repeated on the palate,
including dark ripe plum, red cherry,
and spicy vanilla. Smooth tannins. Lovely
finish. Ready to drink now. (Robyn's Picks,
02/02)
($15). Full-bodied and flavored,
but with a sense of elegance, this balanced
Shiraz offers bright, concentrated red
currant and cherry fruit with baking spices,
black pepper, dark chocolate and minty
notes. A lot of wine for the price. Lush,
lingering finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next two or three years. (Robyn's
Picks, 04/03)
($40).
Just a baby at this stage, with intense
black currant, plum and blueberry fruit
laced with developing dusty spices --
cinnamon stick, freshly grated nutmeg
-- and touches of aromatic, savory white
pepper and nut meats that linger on the
tightly-wound finish. Tempting now but
should age beautifully -- at least five
or six years.
(Weekend Wine 04/08)
($21). Very nice overall package featuring
pretty black cherry and plum fruit laced
with freshly cracked black pepper and
vanilla oak. Lingers nicely. Ready to
drink now and over the next three or four
years. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($30). Smooth, with pretty
plum and red currant flavors laced with
warm spices and a touch of earth. Nothing
overly ripe or jammy here. Finishes with
touches of creamy vanilla and toasty oak.
Ready to drink now and over the next four
or five years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)
($10). Very nice winemaking here - at
a great price, with balanced blackberry
and raspberry fruit mingling with herbal
and vanilla oak notes. Appealingly smooth
and with a lingering finish. Ready to
drink now. (Bargain Wine 04/05)
($8). Like a chocolate dipped berry,
with bright red berry fruit, smooth
milk chocolate and a tasty, vanilla-laced
finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting
02/08)
($7). Heck of a deal on smooth, slurpable,
ripe black cherry and blueberry flavors
with a nice kick of spicy, toasty oak.
Ready to drink now and particularly good
with spicy barbecue! (Weekend Wine 02/05)
($20). Smooth plum and red berry aromas
and flavors are laced with moderate spices
and toasty vanilla. Juicy acidity on the
finish makes it easy to like. Ready to
drink now and over the next four or five
years. (Splurge Wine 02/08)
($32). New territory for a famous Rhone
producer, this Shiraz is delicious, showing
ripe red currant and plum fruit, accented
with white pepper, tobacco and herbal
notes. Lovely finish; pretty wine! Ready
to drink now and over the next two or
three years. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($12).
Tasty! With ripe black plum and cherry
fruit layered with freshly cracked black
pepper and warm spices. Has a meaty character
that is appealing. Finishes long and supple.
Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 08/05)
($N/A).
Good red fruit and a variety of spices
give this wine good character and balance.
Cinnamon and coffee notes are especially
nice. Firm tannins linger on the finish.
Good now and over the next five years.
(Robyn's Picks, 01/01)
($11). Decent
vibrancy and peppery kick to the red
currant fruit. Medium bodied, moderate
finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain
Wine 04/05)
($12). Tasty and appealing,
with concentrated black cherry and currant
fruit accented with loads of warm spices
and smooth mocha notes. Ready to drink
now. (Bargain Wine, 08/03)
($25). Wonderfully heady bouquet leads
to ripe black currant and plum fruit layered
with licorice, white pepper, and espresso
notes. Ready to drink now and over the
next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 06/03)
($15). Great wine for the
money, with cracked black pepper aromas
and flavors lacing pretty red berry and
plum fruit and judicious toasty oak. Ready
to drink now and over the next year or
two. (Weekend Wine 03/07)
($38).
Tightly wound, with concentrated black
currant and blackberry fruit, loads of
mineral notes, and touches of smoky white
pepper, mint, cedar and clove. Long, focused
finish. Delicious now and should age beautifully
-- easily eight to ten years. (Picks &
Nibbles 11/07)
($25). Really lovely
stuff, with pure fruit intensity -- think
purple plum, blackberry, blueberry --
mingling with savory spices and licorice.
Terrific length. Delicious now and over
the next four or five years. (Weekend
Wine 04/08)
($45). Wonderful contrast between ripe,
rich blackberry and black cherry fruit
and smoky, earthy, tar accents. The two
sides come together nicely in the generous
finish. Nicely structured. Ready to drink
now and over the next 4-5 years. (Splurge
Wine, 08/04)
($12). Plump and juicy,
with blueberry and plum flavors
laced with warm baking spices, caramelized
vanilla and a touch of racy black
pepper. Ready to drink now. (Bargain
Wine 02/08)
($15). Jammy dark blackberry and
plum fruit is laced with aromatic
cedar and spices, finishing with
touches of sweet vanilla. Ready
to drink now. (Bargain Wine 02/08)
($12). Pretty
floral and black fruit aromas introduce
medium-bodied blackberry and currant
fruit with bittersweet chocolate
and toasty vanilla notes. Ready
to drink now. (Bargain Wine 02/08)
($23). Bright, aromatic red berry
and cherry fruit is laced with mint,
baking spices and a touch of black
pepper, with a bit of grip on the
long, mouthwatering finish. Nicely
balanced. Appealing now and over
the next three or four years. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
(Weekend Wine 07/07)
($23). Delicious, with
roasted meat and aromatic, spicy
dark chocolate accents to the plush
blackberry and plum fruit. Long,
supple finish. Ready to drink now
and over the next three or four
years. Locate this wine online or
in your area. (Weekend Wine 07/07)
($40). Aromatic rich chocolate and
delicate florals make an appealing
contrast in this full-bodied Shiraz,
with loads of black currant and
blueberry and plum fruit mingling
with warm spices and licorice. Picks
up blackberry jam on the long finish,
along with toasty vanilla. Ready
to drink now and over the next five
or six years. (Weekend Wine, 08/05)
($50). An array of luscious red berry
flavors and aromas include strawberry,
raspberry and red currant are layered
with cedar, cigar box, cinnamon and
other warm spices. Very nice acidity
keeps things focused and lively. Ready
to drink now and over the next five
or six years. (Weekend Wine, 08/05)
($70).
Absolutely delicious, with velvety
smooth ripe blueberry and blackberry
fruit layered with pretty lavender,
espresso, dark chocolate, cinnamon
and anise. Beautifully integrated
and structured, with a long, lush
finish. So good now and over the next
seven or eight years. (Weekend Wine,
08/05)
($50). Medium-bodied but still offering
good concentration, with meaty plum
and red currant fruit accented with
cedar, warm spices and a dash of vanilla.
Focused finish. Very good now and
over the next four or five years.
(Splurge Wine 10/04)
($80). Rich
and elegant, with lovely plum, floral
and anise aromas introducing deep
blackberry and currant fruit laced
with mocha and spicy vanillin oak.
Silky, polished mouthfeel. Delicious
now and over the next ten-plus years.
(Splurge Wine 10/04)
($40).
Firm and concentrated, with tightly
wound blackberry and currant flavors
integrated with tobacco, white pepper
and bittersweet chocolate. Tempting
now and should age beautifully over
the next seven to ten years. (Splurge
Wine 10/04)
($10). The oohs and ahhhs began from
the first pour until the final lick
of the glass. This is a rich, full-bodied,
well-textured red. The currants of the
Shiraz and the berries of the Cab combine
to make this wine a beautiful and remarkable
bargain. We very much enjoyed with black
pepper brie, dry salami, and pear on
baguette. (Weekend Wine, 09/00)
($22).
Killer Shiraz here. Red and black berry.
Raisin. Earth. Mint. Kicky black pepper.
All these big flavors and equally firm
tannins need some time. Buy some now
and drink in about three years. Wonderful!
(Robyn's Picks, 01/01)
($25).
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and
Cabernet Franc are blended to make this
generous, fruity wine. Black currant,
plum, red cherry, and spicy oak flavors
are backed up by smooth tannins and finish
long and luxurious. Drink now and over
the next eight to ten years. (Robyn's
Picks, 11/00)
($28). Rich and big, but still showing
some finesse, this Shiraz offers spicy
red plum and concentrated red berry fruit,
espresso and dark chocolate accents, and
a peppery full finish. Ready to drink
now and over the next two or three years.
(Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($23).
Rich cigar-box scented bouquet introduces
dense, concentrated red currant and cherry
fruit with a complex, integrated fruit-driven
finish that lingers generously. Delicious
now and over the next five years. (World
Wide Wine 01/05)
($16).
Light toasty oak supports vibrant, fresh
strawberry and red cherry fruit that is
laced with light spices and milk chocolate.
Very easy to enjoy - bright and appealing.
Great with food. Ready to drink now. (Winery
Spotlight 04/05)
($11). Smooth, medium-bodied blueberry
and blackberry jam flavors are accented
with baking spices and chocolate. Moderate
finish. A nice wine for the price --
and a good choice for backyard barbecues!
Ready to drink now. Locate this wine
online or in your area. (Weekend Wine
07/07)
($10).
Black and red berry fruit is laced with
toasty oak and white pepper notes. Finishes
clean. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine,
04/03)
($17).
Delicious for its silky red cherry and
blueberry flavors, picking up anise, tobacco
and vanilla through the generous, smooth
finish. Ready to drink now and over the
next three or four years. (Weekend Wine
03/07)
($13).
A new venture from legendary Australian
winemaker Philip Shaw, this is a bright,
happy wine, with lipsmacking red cherry
and berry fruit that stays juicy through
the lively, toasty finish. Ready to
drink now and over the next two or three
years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)
($12). Outstanding value on this lovely,
medium-bodied Shiraz, with juicy blackberry
and cherry fruit layered with soft black
pepper and a light toasty oak note.
Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($50). Velvety smooth blackberry and
plum fruit is laced with licorice, mint
and smoke aromas and flavors. Elegant,
complex finish. Good structure should
age beautifully. Ready to drink now
and over the next 6 years. (Splurge
Wine, 08/04)
($8). Lip-smacking red raspberry and
cherry fruit make this easy drinking
and a great buy. Just a touch of spice
lends interest and balance. Versatile
with food. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine, 08/01)
($15). Young and spunky
but with a dark edge. Chock full of
spice, plum, and currant and drinkable
now, but would probably do particularly
well with a few years of cellaring.
(Weekend Wine, 09/00)
($40).
This is a wine I've wanted to open for
a while, and dinner with two of my favorite
people was the perfect special occasion.
When I first tasted this wine at the
1998 Boston Wine Expo, I could not believe
how black, inky and thick it was. Three
and a half years later, and it's still
a serious wine. It is velvety on the
palate and explodes with flavor. It
is dark and deep with blueberry, grape
and herb, with subtle cinnamon and spice
notes. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)
($15). Definitely the "best
buy" of the tasting, with mouthwatering,
ripe red cherry fruit layered with black
licorice and dark chocolate and nicely
integrated warm spices. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(Weekend Wine, 02/04)
($7). Schlurpy yummy, with ripe black
cherry, warm spices and toasty oak.
Pairs nicely with sharp Cheddar. Ready
to drink now. (Bargain Wine, 12/03)
($30). A pretty package of smooth blackberry
and blueberry fruit, with milk chocolate
and anise coming alive on the finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next two
or three years. (Weekend Wine, 02/04)
($26). Deep,
heady bouquet introduces concentrated red
berry and plum fruit along with mocha and
sweet, bourbony-vanilla oak. Long, lush
finish. Ready to drink now and over the
next three or four years. (Winery Spotlight
04/05)
($14). Nice cigar box aromas mingle with
fleshy blackberry and cherry fruit, with
a smooth, bright finish. Ready to drink
now. (Wine Tasting 02/08)
($20).
Lush red cherry and blackberry jam
fruit flavors pick up warm spices
and light herbal notes. Smooth tannins,
easy to enjoy. Ready to drink now
and over the next 4-5 years. (Weekend
Wine, 01/04)
($11). Jammy red cherry and berry
fruit is smooth and accented with
black pepper and toasty vanilla oak.
Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine,
04/03)
($24).
Medium bodied, but with firm enough
tannins and good structure, this wine
features blackberry, plum, and integrated
toasty oak. Very good now, and will
probably improve over the next four
or five years. (Robyn's Picks, 11/00)
($NA).
Fruit forward and juicy, this latest
vintage of the famous Old Block presents
ripe blackberry and concentrated black
currant with a wonderful chocolate note
that emerges on the lush finish. Tempting
now, but would benefit from at least
two and up to eight years of cellaring.
(Robyn's Picks, 11/00)
($27). Loads of body and structure, featuring
concentrated, inky blackberry and black
plum fruit, a hefty dose of funky earth,
and loads of black pepper spiciness. Benefits
from decanting now, drink over the next
four or five years. (Weekend Wine, 02/04)
($35). Seductively
perfumed, with ripe red berry and plum,
savory spices, and a touch of coconut-laced
vanilla bean. Flavors include a balanced
mix of raspberry and plum and cherry,
cracked black pepper and chocolate, with
a finish that goes on and on. Lovely,
smooth, elegant. Ready to drink now and
over the next ten years. (Weekend Wine
04/06)
($22). This is a well-structured wine,
with ripe blackberry and red plum fruit,
plenty of spicy zip, and integrated oak
and tannins. Enjoy now and over the next
three years or so. (Robyn's Picks, 02/01)
($50). Big and concentrated, with intense
red currant, raspberry, black pepper and
dark chocolate flavors that linger on
a focused finish. Integrated tannins and
a mineral note grace the smooth mouthfeel.
Ready to drink now and over the next ten-plus
years. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
($18). Pretty
and fragrant, with heady allspice and
chocolate aromas and flavors lacing
lively black currant and berry fruit,
picking up espresso through the bright
finish. Ready to drink now and over
the next five or six years. (Weekend
Wine 09/06)
($18). Delicious,
with lip-smacking blueberry, black currant
and spice flavors that are rich and
bright. Appealing white pepper kick
on lengthy finish; nicely integrated
oak. Great value. Ready to drink now
and over the next couple of years. (World
Wide Wine 04/05)
($45).
Loads of ripe blueberry and currant fruit
are layered with generous spices -- exotic
and aromatic -- ending with a white pepper
accent. Aromatic, rich and delicious.
Ready to drink now and over the next four
or five years. (World Wide Wine 04/05)
($20). Concentrated and rich, with exotic
spices accenting smooth cherry and berry
fruit that lingers on the lush finish.
Ready to drink now. (Splurge Wine 02/08)
($30) is aromatic and lush, with anise,
espresso, chocolate and toast accenting
ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit.
With a long, smooth, creamy finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next
three or four years. (Weekend Wine 01/08)
($34). Intense and tightly wound, with
focused black currant, blueberry, spices
and toast that linger on the generous
finish. Decant now. Should continue
to age nicely for five or six years.
(Splurge Wine 06/07)
($59). A spicy
little number, with loads of black and
red pepper, clove and anise supporting
concentrated black plum and cherry fruit.
Decant now. Should continue to age nicely
for four or five years. (Splurge Wine
06/07)
($65). A "yowsa" wine, with
full-bodied blackberry and black currant
fruit accented with aromatic cedar, tobacco
leaf, mineral and delicate spices that
all linger on the persistent finish. This
is a great example of the balance that
Two Hands achieves - stays elegant from
beginning to end. Ready to drink now and
over the next eight or nine years. (Splurge
Wine 06/07)
($65). Quite feminine, actually, with
focused red cherry and berry flavors layered
with touches of white pepper, anise, mineral
and light toast notes that all fold together
on a smooth, fleshy finish. Lovely now
and over the next seven or eight years.
(Splurge Wine 06/07)
($59). Loved
this wine - for its mouthfilling richness,
pretty black currant and racy cherry fruit,
aromatic cigar box, black olive and toasted
vanilla notes, and generous, lingering
finish. Really delicious. Ready to drink
now and over the next six or seven years.
(Splurge Wine 06/07)
($55).
Vibrant and full of plush red cherry and
berry fruit, with layers of dark chocolate,
tobacco, cedar and a rush of acidity that
carries through the racy finish. An excellent
food wine. Should age beautifully. Ready
to drink now and over the next 8-10 years.
(Weekend Wine 04/06)
($50). Veritas wines are certainly achi |
