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Tasting notes from an Australian tasting - Saturday, July 24, 2004, at the Wine Exchange in Orange, CA. Twenty wines were poured for a tasting fee of $25. The wines were double-decanted over a 24-hr period prior to the tasting.

Overall impressions: this was another mixed flight of currently released Aussies - primarily Shiraz. There was a lot to like in this tasting - and a few not to like, as well. First, the Henschke, Penfolds RWT, and Yalumba Shirazs were all fabulous. The Kalleske Grenache is a winner as well. As expected, several of the top wines were pricey - $55 and up. But, there were also two Shirazs in my top eight that were under $20, including the Jim Barry Lodge Hill at only $12!

As to disappointments, all I can wonder is what's up with Marquis Philips? Vintage or otherwise, these wines were just not up to previous standards - and the Cab was the worst of the entire flight. I suppose if one considers the price point of these wines, there should be no objection. That said, the Jim Barry delivers significantly bigger and better fruit - for Two Bucks less!

Tasting Notes

2002 Devil's Lair Chardonnay - Margaret River. $16.99. Light lemon color. Aromas of citrus and toast - almost seems crisp in the nose. Crisp mouthfeel, slightly tart fruit, moderately long finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B Overall score: B

2002 D'Arenberg Grenache The Derelict Vineyard - McLaren Vale. $29.99. Medium garnet color. Nice, somewhat candied scent to the raspberry fruit, along with some perceptable oak. Tons of raspberry fruit on the palate, along with a toastiness that give the finish a bit of grip.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2003 Two Hands Grenache Yesterday's Hero - Barossa Valley. $27.99. Medium garnet color. Smoky - almost musty oak peeks out from behind the smooth raspberry fruit in the nose. Very smooth and chewy on the palate, big and gutsy in mouthfeel, good balance, picks up a bit of heat on the long finish. No question, this wine is in your face! Here's the thing - despite the oak and some apparent heat, I really did like this Grenache - who knows, maybe just for its apt name!
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2002 Kalleske Grenache - Barossa Valley. $54.99. Dark ruby garnet color. Loaded with clove, licorice and vanilla to accent its big raspberry and dark cherry nose, the combination of fruit, spices and toast is intoxicating. In fact, there's almost a brandied fruitcake quality to the nose. Off-sweet mouthfeel, lots of smooth - almost jammy fruit, and a very long finish, and fascinating aftertaste. This was being touted as the next big thing. Just might be. Of course they'll need a nickname for it.
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2001 Peter Lehman Cabernet Sauvignon - Barossa. $13.99. Medium-dark ruby garnet color. Touches of oak and herbal qualities seem to be standing in for the aroma of fruit. Fairly weak on the palate, this seems somewhat underfilled, rather than just 'claret style.' Seems more like a "bulk wine" effort.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B- Overall score: B-

2001 Red House Shiraz/Grenache - McLaren Vale. $13.99. Medium dark garnet color. 50/50 blend. Initially overripe nose settles down a bit with some air, gaining some nice spiced red and black fruit. A bit pinched and underfilled in mouthfeel, with good balance and finish. The fruit's in there - somewhere, there just needs to be more of it.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Two Hands Shiraz/Grenache Brave Faces - Barossa Valley . $24.99. Dark ruby color. 65/35 blend. Lovely floral, peach scent to the spicy nose (Viognier?). Plenty of dark fruit, with a sweet-sour candy note, smooth texture, very nice balance, and long slightly tannic finish. Nice stuff!
Aroma score: A- Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2002 D'Arenberg Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Ironston Pressings - McLaren Vale. $51.99. Dark ruby-garnet color. Beautiful nose of red and black fruits, cinnamon, and semi-sweet chocolate. Lots of off-sweet dark fruit, smooth yet clingy mouthfeel, and very long finish. Yep, there's oak in here - but it's very nicely handled.
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2003 Marquis Philips Merlot - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99. Medium dark ruby garnet color. Nose of sweet creamy cassis - a bit cloying. A bit thin on the palate, correct flavors, but too few of them. Uninspiring!
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Marquis Philips Cabernet Sauvignon - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99. Medium dark garnet ruby color. A nose that's overripe, cooked, tea-like, thin, and musty. Moderate body, weak fruit, just a bit of flavor. Not sure what went wrong here - bottle, vintage, effort - who knows. An annoying little wine, nonetheless.
Aroma score: C Taste score: B Overall score: C+

2003 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99. Medium garnet ruby color. Nice spicy dark fruit in the nose. Spicy on the palate as well, with smooth even coverage, nice balance, and reasonably long finish. This Shiraz/Cab/Merlot blend was definitely the best MP wine in the flight.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Marquis Philips Shiraz - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99. Dark ruby color. Nose of dark fruit, clove, bubblegum, and old meat. Cloying mouthfeel of candied flavors, with some clove and oak. What, Shiraz doesn't live here anymore?
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

 

My Favorites - In Order of Preference

2001 Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone - Eden Valley. $59.99.
2002 Kalleske Grenache - Barossa Valley. $54.99.
2001 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - Barossa Valley. $69.99.
1999 Yalumba Shiraz The Octavius - Barossa. $68.99.
2001 Primo Estate Shiraz Joseph Angel Gully - McLaren Vale. $35.99.
2002 D'Arenberg Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre Ironston Pressings - McLaren Vale. $51.99.
2003 Two Hands Shiraz Angel's Share - Barossa Valley. $19.99.
2002 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill - Clare Valley. $11.99.
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2003 Two Hands Shiraz/Grenache Brave Faces - Barossa Valley . $24.99.
2003 Two Hands Grenache Yesterday's Hero - Barossa Valley. $27.99.
2002 Battely Shiraz - Victoria. $39.99.
2002 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 - So. Australia. $15.99.
2002 D'Arenberg Grenache The Derelict Vineyard - McLaren Vale. $29.99.
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2002 Devil's Lair Chardonnay - Margaret River. $16.99.
2001 Red House Shiraz/Grenache - McLaren Vale. $13.99.
2003 Marquis Philips Merlot - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99.
2003 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99.
2003 Marquis Philips Shiraz - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99.
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2001 Peter Lehman Cabernet Sauvignon - Barossa . $13.99.
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2003 Marquis Philips Cabernet Sauvignon - So. Eastern Australia. $13.99.


2002 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill - Clare Valley. $11.99. Dark ruby garnet color. Seductive nose of clove-scented blackberry, with just a touch of toast and coffee. Slightly soft and sweet in mouthfeel, with plenty of fruit, very nice balance, and long smooth tasty finish. Excellent value!
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2002 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 - So. Australia. $15.99. Dark ruby garnet color. Nose of spicy dark fruit, with hints of vanilla and toast. Nice smooth mouthfeel, lots of dark fruit, good balance, and long finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2003 Two Hands Shiraz Angel's Share - Barossa Valley. $19.99. Very dark ruby-garnet color. Beautiful nose - almost like blackberry pie, with touches of anise and toast. Rich and chewy mouthfeel, excellent balance and long finish. This wine surprised me, and does not appear to have been a 'vintage victim.'
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2002 Battely Shiraz - Victoria. $39.99. Dark ruby garnet color. Herbaceous leafy qualities seem to dominate the fruit aromas in this wine. Swirling did clear it off a bit, but it still seemed to return. Aside from that, the blackberry scent was nicely accented by minerals and iron or iodine. Off-sweet mouthfeel, very good balance, and long finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2001 Primo Estate Shiraz Joseph Angel Gully - McLaren Vale. $35.99. Medium dark garnet color. Beautiful nose of black fruit, pepper, cake spices, toast, and a bit of grilled meat. Considering the density of the nose, the mouthfeel was slightly lighter than expected. Well balanced, round, and a bit soft on the palate, the fruit takes center stage here,and remains smooth throughout the long finish.
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2001 Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone - Eden Valley. $59.99. Dark ruby garnet in color. Fabulous nose of dark berry, molasses, minerals, toast, and cake spices. Amazing! Perfectly balanced mouthfeel - everything seems in harmony here, with smooth flavorful fruit, fine-grained tannins, and lengthy finish. Like the Primo before it, this wine trades brawn for beauty.
Aroma score: A Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

2001 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - Barossa Valley. $69.99. Very dark ruby color. Notes of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg add to the black fruit in the nose. Not huge on the palate, but lots of fruit, very well-balanced, smooth and seductive flavors and finish.
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-

1999 Yalumba Shiraz The Octavius - Barossa. $68.99. Medium dark garnet color. A slight late harvest/late picked quality seems apparent in the nose, but aside from any sweetness, the nose is a veritable kitchen cabinet of aromas. Blackberry compote, kalamata olive, balsamic vinegar, cake spices, with a bit of havarti cheese thrown in. Full and rich on the palate, off-sweet freshly macerated fruit, excellent balance, very long off-sweet finish. Wow!
Aroma score: A-Taste score: A- Overall score: A-


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