Category Archives: Notes

Rusty Mutt Shiraz 2006

The current release. Made by Scott Heidrich in the McLaren Vale. Spices on the nose; white pepper, a bit of Szechuan and dark fruits. Sweet blackberries, blueberries, liquorice, mulberries and some tanginess on the palate. Supple tannins. Quite elemental, even … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, McLaren Vale, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Mount Langi Cliff Edge Shiraz 2008

I have liked recent reds from Mount Langi, and this one continues the trend. A bit reduced to start with, but was fine on the second night. An interesting nose. Black cherries, spice, vanilla pod, stalk, charcoal and gunsmoke. Quite … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Grampians, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Grenache 2010

This will not be a long review. I suppose that’s an indication of the magnitude of the associated “score”. Which is fair enough, because great wines will make you effuse. Either that or leave you speechless. Anyways, after a quick … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Grenache, Notes, Price, Shiraz, up to $20 | Leave a comment

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2004

Second bottle, and worthy of a note because it was sooooo different. Firstly I can see why people think it is often corked; it has that Mourvedre reduced animal hide character and stinkiness which does seem to resemble a corked … Continue reading

Posted in France, Grenache, Mourvedre, Notes, over $100, Price, Rhone, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

1998 Briar Ridge Stockhausen Shiraz

This is reaching way back into my youth, when Hunter Shiraz was the done thing.  I thought these bottles were all gone, having peaked and tired a long time ago.  Well well, this bottle is just fine thanks.  Clear coloured, … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Hunter Valley, Shiraz | 2 Comments

Château Kirwan 2006

From the Médoc in Bordeaux. Margaux to be specific. That’s left bank; a Cabernet dominant blend. Dusty cigar box and graphite on the nose. Pencil dry. Red currant and graphite on the palate. Nice structure. Grippy tannins and dry length. … Continue reading

Posted in $50 to $100, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Notes, Price, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

De Iuliis LDR Shiraz 2010

Ooh er I like this one. Not finding enough time for reviews, but at least this one didn’t get consigned to Odds & Ends. Floral and earthy, dry spices, pepper, a little dusty too. Red fruited, cherries, a touch of … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Hunter Valley, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Burge Family Winemakers Clochemerle 2008

A GZSS blend. Incidentally, I had 4.1L Ford GZSS in the 80s. Two dual throat Webers and it used to go like a rocket. Anyway, the wine: 51% Grenache, 24% Zinfandel, 14% Shiraz and 11% Souzao from their Draycott and … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Barossa Valley, Grenache, Notes, Price, up to $20, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Odds & Ends XV

Guigal Lieu Dit Saint Joseph 2006: all finished now. Very nice too, which was not unexpected considering I had the same wine a month ago or so Telmo Rodriguez Dehasa Gago 2007: looked a bit odd Burge Family Olive Hill … Continue reading

Posted in Notes, Waffle | Leave a comment

Rockford Moppa Springs Grenache Mataro Shiraz 2007

Fresh off the truck, or at least, fresh from the Post Office. Two bottles tried, with very similar results. Oh, I don’t know about the breakdown of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz; it’s not on the back label, but might be … Continue reading

Posted in $20 to $50, Australia, Barossa Valley, Grenache, Mourvedre, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment