Wolf Blass Shiraz/Grenache

17 Friday Feb 2012

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The “Red Label” blend of of Shiraz and Grenache has no vintage, a 13.5% alcohol content, and nothing to differentiate it from the masses of ordinary Aussie plonk. On the nose, not much. On the palate, not much. Wait a minute, there is something…. Jammy Shirazy funk. I am really not sure why they bother, except there is a huge market down under for cheap Barbie wine. I’ve had their other lines, the yellow and black labels. This does not merit buying unless you are half-pissed already.
I was hoping for a little bit of interest here, considering the addition of Grenache, but alas, it is no Rhone Ranger. It is smooth though, with no tannins to get in your way, no complexity to make you pause, and an aftertaste that nags at you. Harsh? Perhaps, but life is far too short for cheap and nasty. Spend a little, live a little, and avoid this mass-produced garbage that gives Australian Shiraz a bad name. 1 star, and if I were a pro- 80 points, just because the label looks nice.

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Burgess ’96

17 Friday Feb 2012

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I once bought 6 bottles of this Napa Cabernet and was so blown away, I couldn’t wait to get more.  Alas, they were all out.  So, I moved on with my life and ended up buying several different vintages, pining for just one more bottle of this nectar.  Well, as luck would have it, I came across a deal and snapped up two cases.  Being the generous kinda guy I am,  one went to my neighbor, one to a friend, and we opened a few this past week.  Showing a slight ‘bricking’ in the glass tells me this wine is nearing it’s “sell-by” date.  The nose is amazing; tobacco, dark fruit and cassis.  Tasted blind, you would swear it was a Bordeaux.  With over 16 years on it, she’s still holding on, barely.  The secondary flavors are in full force, the tannins, receding.  The balance I remembered from previous bottles was slightly amiss.  Not sure what was happening there.  Instant gratification is all I can say when I open one of these.  A remarkable wine that I will say was one of the first Napa Cabs that really did it for me.  Must run, the other bottles are waiting for a decant- which I did not do for the first bottle.  Almost forgot- 5 Stars!  Perhaps a 93 pointer if you are into that kinda thing.

burgess cellars 1996

gritty wine

The need to decant

Yalumba Shiraz/Viognier “Y” series ’10

10 Friday Feb 2012

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If you read my previous post about this brand, and the 2008 wine, you will know that I liked it.  For a further comparison, I bought the ”Y’ series model, from the 2010 vintage to compare.  Priced a few dollars cheaper, it is obviously slightly lower on the pecking order for this producer.  Don’t get me wrong, it is still good, just different.  More jammy, typical of Aussie Shiraz, the Viognier doesn’t seem to come through on this bottle.  The nose is telltale Australia, not quite as pronounced as the other wine.  The tannins on this one are more evident, probably due to age.  I can taste a slight acidity, which should disappear in a year or two as the tannins meld.  There is a surprising length as well, which I like and is a sign of a well made bottle.  I’m not sure what the percentage of each varietal is, but looking at the 14% alcohol, the lack of softness from the Viognier, I would imagine a 90-10 split.  Whilst I give this one 3 stars and probably an 85 rating, I would suggest it would be a great addition to any party or BBQ with some big, earthy meat.  Very good value from a consistent producer, thumbs up you lot!

yalumba shiraz/viognier 2010 y series

Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier ’08

09 Thursday Feb 2012

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Having been off Australian Shiraz for a while, I was stumped for a wine yesterday at the local shop.  Seems like the choices are slim, and the majority of wines were either cheap French or Aussie Shiraz.  Soooo, I ended up with this blend of Viognier (which I love) and Shiraz.  Hailing from the Eden Valley, they blended the two wines into something pretty decent.  Nothing jammy, like too many other Australian Shiraz, but mellow, thanks to the Viognier.  Good nose of dark fruit, and definite black-blue berry on the palate.  Unobtrusive tannins tell me this one is built for 5-7 years tops.  Seeming to be in balance, the acidity was neither present nor lacking, and the end result was a consensus that we enjoyed this wine and would buy again.  3 stars and probably an 88 pointer.

yalumba shiraz viognier

Kittling Ridge Icewine/Brandy

30 Monday Jan 2012

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A gift from my Canadian cousin, I opened this bottle after dinner the other night.  I am a huge fan of white dessert wines: Sauternes, Late Harvest, Icewine, all of ’em. Except this one.  I could make out the telltale signs of “sticky” wine, apricot on the nose and the unctuous texture, but it was totally overshadowed by the addition of Brandy.  Not sure what the point is, but it detracted the essence of Icewine for me.  BTW, in case you didn’t know it, this style of wine is made from healthy grapes that have been left to freeze on the vine before being pressed.  The resultant juice is more concentrated and higher in sugars.  It tends to be expensive, and hails mainly from Canada and Germany.

I honestly cannot pass comments on this wine as the style is not to my choosing.

kittling ridge

Top Hat ’08

30 Monday Jan 2012

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A Christmas gift from a co-worker, I wasn’t sure what to expect on this one.  I tried to search the web for it, nothing.  Very typical Cali Cab, bright fruit on the nose and palate, good tannins and a balanced finish.  I was really impressed with this bottle, but have no idea where to get it from or how much it costs.  I paired it with some Filets on the grill, worked a treat.  The tannic structure is perfect for this cut.  Not in-your-face, they are part and parcel, holding the wine together and showing no signs of letting up.  The fruit is still in primary mode, as would be expected from California.  Surprisingly, this wine is still very fresh yet shows some aging capability.  I would think it could last until 2018 at the least, and hopefully gain some secondary flavors without losing the its appealing fruit.  I reckon a 90 point rating and 4 stars are in order.

top hat cabernet

Magdelaine ’02

30 Monday Jan 2012

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From St. Emilion, this property has a strong pedigree albeit from a lackluster vintage.  90% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, this wine is smooth, balanced and ‘classic’ in style.  It is not a powerful wine, but rather an elegant offering.  The nose offers nice fruit, the initial attack is somewhat subdued.  The mid-palate is balanced and delicious.  The tannins are poking around, not obtrusive, yet holding it together quite nicely.  The pro’s were all over the shop with this one- 92 from the boys at WS but a measly 15/20 from across the pond.  At ten years of age, it is at a typical Bordeaux drinking window and I doubt it will get better.  Another 3 years and it is over for this one.  I would give it 3 stars. PS. if you remember my previous post about losing a bet- I won one back, and this was the payoff.

chateau magdelaine

I lost a bet, wine was the payoff

23 Monday Jan 2012

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That’s right, I picked the wrong teams two weeks ago against my buddy, we’ll call him Reming, or Mr. Flix (if you are not familiar).  The payoff was a ‘decent’ bottle from the cave.  So, I presented the Cantemerle 2001, which I had previously raved about.  I also took along the Hermitage La Chapelle 1999, hoping I had at least one bottle still going strong.  My pick of the Bordeaux was spot-on, the Hermitage confirmed my fears.  It was an enjoyable tasting that ended up with several additions from the local shop, including the now delectable Trivento Syrah, and two bottles of rotgut.

Vengeance is mine though, as we meet again tomorrow for the payback.  I can’t wait to see what little gem he has dug out from his cellar.  No doubt I will be harsh when critiquing, pictures to come!

The winner and loser

Simonassi Malbec “1922” ’08

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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The last bottle of my case, and still undelivering. Argentinian Malbec is, to me, very bright and fruity. This one has more of a balance problem, with too much oak, the acidity bothers me and the tannins are somewhat dry. From old-vines, it was aged in 80% new oak for 15 months- overkill.
When thinking Malbec, I want juice, fruit and decent tannins. The producer claims at least 10 years of cellaring potential. I can’t see it. The dryness that overpowers the palate is not pleasant. To me, I think they tried to mask the wine’s faults with lavish use of oak. 1 star here folks, not a repeat buy for the price.

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Chateau Gloria, ’00

12 Thursday Jan 2012

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This past month has been nuts with Christmas, New Year’s and all sorts of parties and celebrations.  So busy in fact that Moxie had to postpone her annual ‘Fundoo’ party for the gals over at her store until the dust had settled and everyone could catch their breath from the hubbub of a crazy retail season.  We do this event every year and it entails digging deep into the cellar and setting up a fondue party for 15.  Always fun, this year was no exception- the only downer being I had to get up at 6 the next morning to catch a flight out.

Anyway, we kicked it off with a Magnum of Chateau Gloria from the famed 2000 vintage.  A Crus Bourgeois, it ranks slightly lower than the “Growths”, yet consistently delivers value and quality.  This bottle was stellar, opening with just the right amount of cassis, black cherry and tobacco that makes me love Bordeaux.  The nose was pleasing, the mid-palate round and balanced.  The tannins are smooth and evolved, perhaps peaking.  This wine is drinking beautifully right now and will last another 3-5 years.  Rated 90, I would give it 5 stars.  A good performer from the region that doesn’t overcharge and under-deliver.

chateau gloria 2000