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Tag Archives: mclaren vale

Clarendon Hills ‘Kangarilla’ Grenache 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

09 Saturday Jul 2022

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$50, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


Deep ruby colored with pronounced aromas of black plum, coconut, blackberry, sassafras, loam, cedar and baking spices. The palate is dry with well integrated, powerful tannins. Medium to full bodied I get rich fruit cake flavors, black cherry, black plum, vanilla and spice. The acidity is medium and very balanced with the tannic structure. The finish falls off rather rapidly but it’s okay- the fruit intensity up till then was really great.  It finishes with a touch of charcoal, some tannic grip and black fruit. Very little tertiary notes at this time even though the wine is 11 years old. It should last another five or six years and drink really well with some grilled meats. 93 points, possibly higher if the finish were a little bit longer.  For $50 it is a 5 star wine.  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Romas Grenache 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

16 Thursday Jun 2022

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$70, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


Medium/deep ruby to garnet colored, this 11 year old Grenache is playing tricks on my old eyes.  The nose has generous aromas of rich red raspberry, red licorice, coconut, rooibos tea, dried herbs, menthol and black cherry.  The palate is dry with crispy tannins that coat my upper gums.  Low acidity and medium to full bodied, this delicious wine has ripe flavors of red and black fruit with red licorice, cocoa powder, menthol, rooibos tea, dusty bramble, leather and that garrigue I got on the nose.  I’m generally impervious to the alcohol level as I find it difficult to ascertain but this one does have a bit of heat on the back end (14.5% ABV).  The finish is medium plus in length with the tannins fading faster than the fruit.  I pretty much love everything that comes out of this winery- this bottle is no exception.  The alcohol detracts a bit but I think it is well made and delicious, worthy of 93 points from me. It runs  upwards of $70 per bottle making it a 5 star treat wine to drink till 2027.  I think it will develop more tertiary notes by then and be even better.  Roast game, grilled lamb leg or even Moroccan tagine.  Much better than the previous tasting of this wine.  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Moritz Syrah 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

06 Monday Jun 2022

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$40, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, mclaren vale, shiraz, syrah


Deep hues of ruby along with a hint of age- a garnet edge.  The nose has lovely, pronounced aromas of black plum, blackcurrant, licorice, vanilla, blackberry jam, cedar and spice box.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and well-melded tannins that are grippy yet unobtrusive.  The rich, ripe black fruit flavors dominate but I get some charred oak, black tea, licorice and spices in this full bodied beaut.  It flows seamlessly to a somewhat tart and slightly tannic finish that lasts a good 20 seconds.  I really like this winery, they produce enjoyable wines that age well.  This one will keep going until 2030 at the earliest and pair well with grilled meats, rich stews and wild game.  93 points from me for this $40 wine makes it a 5 star effort.  Salut….

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Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Griffon’s Key Reserve Grenache 2019, McLaren Vale, Australia

04 Saturday Jun 2022

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$35, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


This Grenache is rather light, I would say pale ruby in the glass.  The nose has medium intensity aromas of raspberry, red cherry, violets, pomegranate and dried spices.  The palate is dry and lively with ripe red fruit, medium acidity, lithe tannins and a medium body.  The floral and spice components are not as pronounced on the palate but I now get some charred wood and rooibos tea instead.  The finish is medium in length and a touch tart, refreshing.  I like this $35 effort and give it 93 points and 5 stars.  It will drink well now and age gracefully till 2030.  Pair with lighter meat dishes or even poultry.  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

27 Friday May 2022

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$45, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, cabernet sauvignon, mclaren vale


Deep garnet in color, this 11 year old Cabernet Sauvignon is getting paired with Wagyu Ribeye steaks for my son’s 25th birthday.  The nose is gorgeous- a mix of primary, secondary and tertiary notes that are quite pronounced.  Cassis, steeped black plum, mint, cedar, leather, tobacco, bramble, bilberry, vanilla and tar.  Wowza.  The palate is dry with firm tannins that grip, medium acidity, full body and a generous helping of the  aforementioned aromas that caress my tongue.  The finish is the only letdown here, it is quite short, albeit still bone dry from the tannins that are searing.  This wine has structure to cellar for another decade at least and will pair beautifully with our well marbled beef.  93 points for this $45 jewel makes it a 5 star wine to buy and hold/drink!  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Grenache ‘Clarendon’ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia

09 Monday May 2022

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$45, 4 stars, 91 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


I recently tasted the 2009 Clarendon Grenache and loved it.  I hope this newer bottling is as good!  Deep garnet in the glass with medium intensity aromas of raspberry, dried sage, black cherry, dust, charred wood, coffee, blueberry jam and vanilla.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and bracing tannins.  A full body with medium (+) intensity flavors of red fruit, oaky coffee, vanilla and charred wood along with some steeped blue fruit and rustic dust.  The finish is a dry, short to medium length affair that hones in on the charcoal and black cherry notes.  Overall, not as good as the ’09- it gets 91 points from me with a drinking window till 2028.  I give this $45 wine 4 stars.  Salut….

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Clarendon Hills Grenache ‘Clarendon’ 2009, McLaren Vale, Australia

07 Saturday May 2022

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$45, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, grenache, mclaren vale


The more Grenache I drink, the more I like it.  This older bottle from near Adelaide has turned the color corner- medium garnet in the glass.  The nose has vivid aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, sarsaparilla, cedar, charcoal, red plum, a hint of vanilla and some coffee.  The palate is… wowsa.  Dry yet sweet from ripe fruit.  Rich raspberry, dark cherry, oak nuance, coffee, black cherry, red plum and sweet vanilla.  Medium acidity and very integrated tannins make for a lovely mouthfeel.  The body is quite full and the finish is nearing 30 seconds.  I like this wine, a lot.  It is very easy to drink but makes me give pause to consider what else I am experiencing in its complexity and depth.  It gets 93 points from me and for $45 it’s a 5 star wine.  I love this winery BTW.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, McLaren Vale, Australia

22 Friday Apr 2022

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$30, 5 stars, 93 points, australia, cabernet sauvignon, mclaren vale


This wine is opaque with a garnet hue.  The nose is classic Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon- Blackberry, black currants, mint, eucalyptus, coffee, blueberry compote, açaí berry, bilberry and vanilla.  A very inviting and complex nose to say the least.  On the palate it is gorgeous.  Ripe tannins and medium (+) acidity coat the black and blue fruit notes with emphasis on blueberry compote.  The richness of the fruit and the oak influence make for a full bodied wine that has pronounced flavors.  The minty component is delicious.  The finish of this wine is quite long and very balanced as is the whole package.  I am enjoying this immensely.  It gets 93 points from me and for $30 it’s a 5 star effort to be drunk till 2027.  We are pairing it with Bavette steak.  Salut….

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Two Hands Wines Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, McLaren Vale, Australia

31 Thursday Mar 2022

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$30, 5 stars, 91 points, australia, cabernet sauvignon, mclaren vale


A deep ruby color, this 14.1% ABV wine has thin legs in the glass.  The nose has gorgeous aromas of rich blackberry jam, coconut, vanilla, ripe blueberry, black]k plum and a whiff of alcohol.  The palate is dry with fine-grained yet forceful tannins, high acidity and a full body.  The rich, jammy black fruit is interwoven with oak and some black licorice notes plus that persistent heat.  The back end is very fruit rich and dry from the tannic grip that has coated my gums.  This is a big wine with lots of structure and cellaring capacity.  The timing of the finish is medium and really delightful.  I like this $30 wine that is drinking nicely now but will develop in the coming years.  I am pairing with grilled Tri-Tip and roasted cauliflower.  91 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

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Two Hands Wines Lily’s Garden Shiraz 2017, McLaren Vale, Australia

12 Saturday Feb 2022

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$50, 2 stars, 87 points, australia, mclaren vale, shiraz


I’m grilling Picanha steaks tonight and needed a rich red wine, Aussie Shiraz fits the bill.  This one is deep ruby, nearly dark purple.  Very brooding and mysterious.  The nose has got gobs of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant cassis, oak, purple licorice, and black plum.  The aromas are so pronounced I have to take a breather- super concentrated.  The palate is dry with an immediate back palate astringency that I don’t think I like.  I’m going to walk away and let it breathe.

It’s still there unfortunately.  Anyways- I get black fruit compote, rich cassis and oak cloaked in medium level tannins and medium (+) acidity.  I find the wine a touch thin on the mid palate making it medium bodied- not what I was hoping for tonight.  The finish, once I get past the astringent portion is actually quite nice and makes up for the thin mid.  Juicy, a touch dry from the lingering tannins and laced with licorice and black fruit.  Overall this wine disappoints me as I have had stunning bottles from this producer, perhaps this one is off.  At $50 this wine is a 2 star effort as I am going with 87 points- far below the pros who tagged it with 91,92 and even 96 points.  Must be a bad bottle.  Shame.  Salut….

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