This is a well presented, dry rosé from Yalumba in South Australia. Its aroma reminds of florals and twigs. The palate is dry, crisp and pleasant, and its alcohol low at 11.5%. Ready to drink now, this rosé suits summer drinking and is sound value at $15. Rating: Acceptable to Good. Abv: 11.5%. Price: $15. […]
Tag Archives: South Australia
Hogs in the Woods Fleurieu Peninsula Tempranillo 2016
A slightly garish label, this wine is another from the BWS/Woolworths stable. It opens to ripe and fruity aromas of cherry and jam. The palate is full bodied, has seen some wood and presents as fruity and flavoursome, suitable for current drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.0%. Price: $18. Source: Sample.
Yalumba Y Series Whites 2017
I recently tasted through Yalumba’s new 2017 vintage of “Y Series” whites. All the wines are $15 and all five wines from different single varieties. As a group, these wines evidence the new modern Australian style – lower alcohol, more medium than full bodied and no discernible oak influence. The sauvignon blanc for example weighs […]
Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
A multi-regional blend of cabernet sauvignon sourced from Coonawarra and the Clare Valley. This wine (also tasted in the tropics where it may have been given a light cooking) tasted a little jumpy. Blackcurrant, ribena and blueberry characters feature. The palate is towards full bodied and is sweet fruited in impression. Pleasant enough. Rating: […]
Alex Russell Wines Alejandro Montepulciano 2014
This is an interesting montepulciano from Alex Russell Wines’ smartly labelled “Alejandro range”. You don’t see too much montepulciano in Australia, and you will see even less on the label due to my photographical skills, unless you are inclined to look particularly closely. The vine is most widely planted in Abruzzo in Italy, where it […]
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Checking Penfolds’ website for winemaking notes, there’s a more than passing resemblance to the websites of the Bordeaux chateaux although thankfully no music. It proves a good source of notes on back vintage wines. The Bordelaise resemblance I suspect is not entirely a coincidence in terms of the marketing strategy. The 2007 Bin 407 is […]
Some new releases: Penfolds Bin 389 2013, Penfolds St Henri 2012, Penfolds Bin 28 2012
Below are first impressions of some of Penfolds’ new release wines. Penfolds Bin 28 Kalmina Shiraz 2012Cedar, black fruits, plum and vanilla. Mid weight, acid poked out a little (but a morning tasting), medium length. Somewhere around the “good” mark on my scale. I unexpectedly tasted the 2012, rather than the current release 2013. Abv: […]
Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Jim Barry’s Cover Drive cabernet sauvignon is a reliable wine. Only the GI of “South Australia” is claimed on the label. The 2007 vintage, tasted here with 8 years of age on it, has aromatics of sweet plums, licorice and vanilla. The palate is mid length, with a sweet fruit and leafy expression, and some […]
Penfolds Grange 1986
Few Australian wines are so rich in anticipation as a bottle of Grange. The 1986 Grange here is a blend of 87% shiraz and 13% cabernet sauvignon and, as is usual for Grange, the grapes were sourced from all over, including for this vintage from the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and a vineyard it […]
Langtons Classification Tasting: September 2013
The Langtons auction house classification tasting has quickly become one of the “must attend” tastings on the Australian wine calendar. The Langtons classification is a ranking of 123 of Australia’s best wines in the categories “exceptional”, “outstanding”, “excellent” and “distinguished”. To make the grade, the wine must have at least 10 vintages, and a judgement is formed […]