Blockhead
Blockhead Barossa Shiraz 2017 is a bold, dry and could be considered a decent Shiraz wine. There’s aromas of plum, blackberry and a slight cedar nose. The Blockhead has soft tannins and is has a rounded medium bodied texture. Considering the price this is solid, however, St. Hallett has some better offerings out there. The Blockhead is well balanced and easy-to-drink with a nice price. Rating ★★★
LZ
The Bodega Lanzaga LZ 2017 is a fruity, attractive, fresh and very good wine. There’s evidence of black fruit aromas and herbs. The LZ has medium acidity, high tannins and is medium bodied with a long finish. A delightful, easy-to-drink and lively red wine. Rating ★★★★
Capel Vale
The Capel Vale Regional Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium bodied wine with fruit characters. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a smooth mix of spices and berries and is best paired with some red meat. The Capel Vale is nice on the nose, has a lovely deep purple colour and a classy well designed label. Smooth and well balanced and good quality considering the price point. Rating ★★★★
Fulcrum
The Fulcrum Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir was spicy, earthy, smooth and easy to drink. A fruity, medium body wine that is reasonably priced. This Pinot is lighter and fresher compared to classic Pinot Noirs and this makes it easy to drink. Nicely balanced, no rough edges and great value. Rating ★★★★
Gathering Field
Very appealing Pinot Noir with a beautiful label design! Smooth, spicy, lengthy and easy to drink. Gathering Field is light in colour but big on flavour with a full earthy feel. This wine shows bright and aromatic red fruits on the nose. A superb Yarra Valley Pinot. Fine texture and an excellent hit of tannin in the mid palate. Delicious. Rating ★★★★
Haha Wine
Haha New Zealand 2017 Pinot Noir ~ Cool name. Cool Label. Nice Price. Winery that is 100% sustainable.
Hay Shed Hill
The Hay Shed Hill 2016 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is a fair wine and offers value for money. Dark fruit and peppery with tannins and I’d suggest that it would develop further with cellaring. Overall a smooth Cab Sav. Rating ★★★
Pyrette Shiraz
The 2018 Heathcote Pyrette Shiraz from Bindi Wines was enjoyed at Melbourne’s Recreation Bistro x Bottleshop with a fine lamb meal and the wine was excellent. It offered a smooth experience with tones of red fruit and black pepper. Soft tannins, fragrant, complex and a tasty finish. Rating ★★★★★
La Dendeima
Outstanding! Smooth! Delicious! Complex fruity tastes that sent my taste buds into a pleasant fruit-spice journey with every sip. Rating ★★★★★
Peter Yealands
Peter Yealand Pinot Noir 2018 ~ The nose was a little unusual, but the the taste and texture was very good and considering the price-point AUD20 - it hits the mark. This Peter Yealands Pinot Noir has a good colour with cherry nose. The palate is balanced with ripe red fruit and soft tannins. Lovely red and I enjoyed the experience on a winters week night in Brisbane. Rating ★★★★
Black Clay
This smooth and bold Shiraz from St Hallett called Black Clay is a wonderful wine for those with a conservative shopping budget. Black Clay Shiraz offers aromas for oak, plum and spice and as a great with meal and not rushed so one can enjoy the strong flavours. Rating ★★★★
St Hallett Faith
Shiraz Barossa Australia St Hallett FAITH is a great wine that is easy to drink, fruity, with subtle complexity. A nice shiraz that offers excellent value for money from the Barossa in Australia. Faith offers a fruity and chocolatey aromas with a medium-full bodied palate and smooth tannins and a lingering finish. St Hallett is a proven winner. Rating ★★★★
Vendemmia
Vendemmia Excellent Red Wine from Italy - This outstanding Italian Vendemmia red wine was shared with me in 2019 from my friend David over a excellent dinner in Shanghai and my tasting notes read “Excellent Italian wine. Excellent. Fruity. Bold with good body.” Rating: ★★★★★
Babich Syrah
A good friend of mine, Michael, put me onto The Hawke’s Bay Syrah Shiraz and I really enjoyed it. This Syrah has bright aromas of spice, blackberries and raspberries. The taste exhibits dark berries and plum aromas with a sweet earthy note, vanilla and nutmeg. The flavours are expressive with modest tannin. My summary is - delicious, balanced with a long finish and I’d have no hesitation sharing a second bottle with a mate. Rating: ★★★★★
Windjammer Shiraz
A delicious Shiraz with oaky notes and flavours of plums and blackberries. Moreover, there are suggestions of spices with subtle pepper overtone. Sourced from deep rooted old vines and aged in American & French Oak barrels for 18 months, this is a fine example of McLaren Vale Shiraz. You can enjoy it now or put it away and enjoy at a later date - either will work. Rating: ★★★★
Cruz de Alba
Grape: Red Tempranillo Crianza
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14%
Variety: 100%
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Winery: Cruz de Alba
Pairing: Tapas and light snacks of smoked meats, beef carpaccio or soft cheeses
Price: $20-$29
Rating: ★★★★
Tim Adams Shiraz
Great value for money! This Clare Valley Shiraz has fruity flavours of plum and blackberry that is complemented by the oak. This Shiraz is a bold wine with lashings of tannins and generous flavour and structure. Rating: ★★★★
Saint Julien 1985 Château Ducru Beaucaillou
Saint Julien 1985 Château Ducru Beaucaillou ~ Delightful wine… I savored every sip! A beautiful earthy wine with an expressive nose featuring classic aromas of cigar. The palate was a resolved mix of dark cherry, currants, mineral, tobacco leaf, cedar and licorice. Without question ★★★★★
Prunotto Fiulot
Review of Prunto Fiulot - This red wine offered very good value, with a light, approachable a fruity flavour. The Prunto Fiullot 2015 red was an easy drinking wine with a light to medium body and soft tannins. I’m certainly buy this again, if the opportunity presented itself. ★★★★
Langmeil Prime Cut Shiraz 2017 · Red Wine · Barossa ★★★★★
Excellent value for money - this young wine has been beautifully crafted and offers lovely fruit - juicy and peppery, with blackcurrant and oak tones. The Prime Cut red wine is a medium bodied, full palate, elegant shiraz with a smart finish and a great nose.