Home / Red Wine

May
8

By

A new look at Barossa Shiraz

Category: Barossa Valley, bold reds, Features Tags: , Leave a Comment

This week I found myself consoling a friend of mine about their continued love of bold Barossan Shiraz in the face of a changing tide – particularly stateside where he lives.  I have long been an advocate for standing strong for your wine choices, they are your own and no one should take them away. Of course, you should never stop trying something new and widely sampling different wines.

The good news for my friend is that there are some young guns striving to make us take a fresh look at Barossa Valley shiraz. Get set to see wines more elegantly structured and purer in fruit coming from producers such as the Kalleske family, Kym Teusner and St Hallett’s, Toby Barlow. Each with a different story to tell but they come together in creating a fresher Read More

2 people like this post.
Unlike

May
3

By

Next Generation: De iuliis LDR Shiraz 2011

Category: elegant reds, Hunter Valley, Red Wine Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Mike De Iuliis, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:

 

Lovedale Road = LDR.  A bright and vibrant red from the winery with the tongue twister name – try pronouncing it after your brain has started to relax for the day.  It is a name well worth learning given the range of fresh and very drinkable wines they have on offer.

This shiraz is tight on opening at the moment, so let it get some space and air to flesh out. Then the black cherry, cloves and earth aromas loosen up to take on a more floral violet and pepper nuance.  The palate plumps up generously with plenty of fruit and the acid leaves the palate fresh and ready for more without needing an alcoholic lift. The long length finishes with just a hint of sweet garden herbs and fruit. This is not a wine that requires food but is certainly up to the task.

Date: 28th April 2013   Price:  $40    Value: $$$  Drink:  Now  – 7+ years

Read more about Mike and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

1 person likes this post.
Unlike

May
3

By

Next Generation: Thomas Sweetwater Shiraz 2011

Category: bold reds, Hunter Valley, Red Wine Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Andrew Thomas, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:


According to his website, Andrew Thomas is a ‘specialist in Shiraz and Semillon from the Hunter Valley’. This is perhaps an understatement. Andrew’s Braemore Semillon is one of the modern benchmarks for the varietal similar to his shiraz wines which have his personality stamped all over them.

The Sweetwater is sourced from, funnily enough, Sweetwater Ridge. It is rich with mulberry and plum fruit, earth and cinnamon.   The juicy fruit and supple tannin stride along the palate. The finish is rich but this poised and balanced shiraz is bold but not blocky. It is moreish and cheekily encourages you to refill the glass.

Date: 28th April 2013   Price:  $35    Value: $$$  Drink:  Now  – 4+ years

Read more about Andrew and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

2 people like this post.
Unlike

May
3

By

Next Generation: Margan Barbera White Label 2011

Category: bold reds, Hunter Valley, Musings Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Andrew Margan, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:

 

Andrew and Lisa Margan offer wine lovers good reason to venture to Broke with their stunning food and cellar door. This is a wine made for food, as is the barbera wines from Northern Italy.

The nose is rich with caramel spice, cherry and some wild herbs.  Bright acid and juicy sweet fruit dance along the palate leaving a maraschino cherry and coconut oak finish in its wake.  As a classic Hunter, it is medium bodied with supple tannins.  Drink it now with some venison pot pie and miniature steamed veges but I would probably leave it in the cellar to rest a while to come together more.

Date: 28th April 2013   Price:  $40    Value: $  Drink:  Now  – 7+ years

Read more about Andrew and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

1 person likes this post.
Unlike

Apr
30

By

Tandem Ars Nova Tempranillo Cabernet Merlot 2005

Category: bold reds, Musings, Red Wine Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

One of the brands in Spain making modern reds that still have some traditional aged roots such as this blend of the Spanish superstar Tempranillo blended with the Bordeaux greats Cabernet and Merlot.

A rich wine that offers plenty by way of interest in its middle age with dominant tannins, a fuller body and medium length. There are attractive dried rose and tobacco notes to the red plum and fresh red currant fruit. You do get the feeling that you have taken it out of the cellar a tad too early. Drink it with a smoky Paella and enjoy it now it is open.

Date: February 2013   Price:  $23  Value: $$  Drink:  Now  – 4 years

1 person likes this post.
Unlike
« Older Posts