Gramp’s Shiraz 2004
Gramp’s is both an Orlando brand and part of Orlando history – though I’m not supposed to use the word Orlando anymore. Orlando is owned by French company Pernod Ricard, and the umbrella now in favour is Jacob’s Creek.
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Price : $15.95Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008 - 2011
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Ravensworth Hunter Valley Shiraz 2007
Well I think I can tell you that the 2007 red vintage in the Hunter Valley will widely become considered one of the greats. Just as well really because it’s the birth year of my son, and along with Margaret River sharing an equally fine year, it makes for happy news as they are my two favourite regions in Australia (although I’m sure I should not declare any favouritism). I’ll be keeping an eye out for the better Bordeaux as well…but that will no doubt involve some careful triage not to mention serious payage… In the interim we have one of the first bottled specimens of that fine local vintage..most likely for local people.
Magnificent smelling wine with blackberry, clean earth, liquorice, spice, pepper and sort of an intriguing Chinotto-like top note. On the palate medium bodied with fresh acidity and lightly grainy ripe open knit tannin - quite light but very charming. It has flavours of bramble fruit, spice, cocoa and liquorice that tails off a little on the back palate but return with a flourish on the lengthy spicy aftertaste. A fine regional wine that offers great value and significant cellaring potential.
Tasted : Apr08Alcohol : 14%
Price : $22
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010 - 2017+
Source : Winery Sample
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Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2006
Gemtree Uncut Shiraz is made from the grapes of 40 year old vines growing on Tatachilla Road in McLaren Vale. I’ve seen the odd retailer sell this for just under $20, at which it represents extraordinary value.
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Price : $22Drink : 2008 - 2014
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Prophets Rock Pinot Noir 2006
A curiously cork sealed Central Otago pinot from the Bendigo and Pisa sub-regions. Very good though and perhaps a bit more refined than you would expect of a Central Otago.
Lots going on here with black cherry, plum, sarsaparilla, pepper, spice, smoke, flowers and pencilly oak all making their contributions to this aromatically action packed wine. It’s medium bodied with bright fresh acidity, smooth lightly chalky tannins and excellent flow through the mouth. Not heavy or sweet with flavours of black cherry, graphite, liquorice, spice, a little cocoa and a long clean spicy finish. It’s a very impressive wine.
Tasted : Apr08Alcohol : 14%
Price : $60
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008 - 2014
Source : Winery Sample
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Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007
By Campbell Mattinson
This is a special cellar door-only release of Lenton Brae semillon sauvignon blanc. I believe there was only 100-odd dozen made.
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Alcohol : 13%Price : $30
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2010
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Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
The name only mentions cabernet sauvignon but 14 fourteen per cent of this wine is shiraz. It helps fill out the wine well; the great Aussie blend is more alive and well than is sometimes reported.
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Price : $14.95Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2010
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Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay 2005
By Campbell Mattinson
This is made with a blend of grapes from Tasmania, the Adelaide Hills and Drumborg (Victoria) - not only an interesting mix but a great feather in the cap of all three regions.
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Price : $130Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009 - 2014
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Penfolds Reserve Bin 06A Chardonnay 2006
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Price : $90Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009 - 2014
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Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2006
Anthony at Boccaccio Cellars told me to get onto this wine because he said it was a match made in heaven with his signature dish of Findus Ham ‘n Cheese Crispy Pancakes. My culinary skills are not quite as advanced as his so I had to make do with oven roast duck breast and steamed Asian greens on a bed of spiced couscous. I usually like to add that I think Marlborough is generally under-rated as a region for Pinot Noir…so I will.
It smells of ripe cherry, spice, cocoa, tamarillo, smoke and Autumn leaves - at once both typically Pinot and NZ. On the palate medium to full bodied with bright sappy sour edged cherry and plum fruit that’s rich, mouthfilling and complemented by spice, cola and dried herbs. With smooth fine grained tannins, a velvet texture and excellent length of flavour this delivers the complete Pinot package - satisfaction guaranteed.
Tasted : Apr08Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $45
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2012
Source : Winery Sample
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Petaluma Chardonnay 2006
Hand picked fruit, 60% new oak from Diggle and Jiggle and 90% malo-lactic fermentation are the key points in the extensive technical bits that Petaluma always seem to provide…just in case you were wondering.
It presents as a more subdued and genteel wine with white peach, nectarine, grilled nuts and spicy smoky oak. On the palate medium bodied with an attractive flinty mineral texture offset by more creamy ‘banana split’ characters. It has fine acidity and feels beautifully balanced, controlled and composed throughout. It’s smooth and polished with no sharp edges or vulgar fruitiness and closes with a long dry flint edged finish. A wine of considerable charm and sophistication.
Other vintages : 2003
Tasted : Apr08Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $49
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2012
Source : Winery Sample
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Next Double Take :
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2007 - $33.99
