Winetastic

It seems like only yesterday I was reviewing the 2005 vintage of this wine, since then “The Story” by wine maker Rory Lane has really begun to unfold, grabbing high praise and high scores from the likes of James Halliday.

Vibrant in both colour and aromas, this deep purple Shiraz smells of inviting cherry and blackberry with a little vanilla and licorice. The initially tart blackberry and cranberry flavours transform over a few hours into sweeter blackberry and cherry, backed up with aniseed and a some spice on the finish. Much of the interest of this lies with the mouthfeel that runs a line from fleshy to intense and zesty before easing into the long smooth finish. Excellent balance, a wine of power and finesse.

A price tag of $30+ would be justifiable for a wine of this quality, however luckily for us some online retailers such as Boccaccio (cheaper freight), Squashedgrape and Auswine have a listed price of only $20-21 per bottle. Buy some - this is the best value for money wine I have tried this year.

Score: 93/100
Price: $20
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Other Opinions: Winorama, The Story Wines
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, this was a 6-pack buy for me.

It is said great wine starts in the vineyard and Lengmeil certainly have a head start in this regard, boasting some of the oldest shiraz producing vines in the world. This up and coming Barossa producer has made an intense and bold, yet strangely elegant wine from a blend of Shiraz (48%), Grenache (42%), and Mourvèdre (10%).

A deep blood red in colour, with a nose of brooding cherries, damp hedgerow berries and a hint of subtle spice, this blend is initially juicy and fruity on the palate. This wine settles down into earthier, almost dirtier, darker berry flavours, with prominent but fine tannin. Medium bodied, there is a subtle jammy quality which is balanced out by the red juicy acid flavours. This is a bottle that definitely benefits from some time in the decanter.

Score: 89/100
Price: $19.50 from the cellar door, though I do believe some Dan Murphy’s stores are carrying this wine.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Langmeil
Would I buy this wine again? I really appreciate the slightly more savoury approach to GSM’s, rather than the overly sweet fruit monsters that have made their way onto the market, so yes. I am also a big fan of this producer and have them down as one to watch over the next few years.

Turkey Flat is an historic estate in the Barossa Valley and is widely recognised in the wine world as one of the New World’s foremost rosé producers. Made from a unique blend of Grenache, Cab Sauv, Shiraz and Dolcetto, the Turkey Flat 2007 Rosé lives up to the high standards set by previous vintages.

A shocking pink in colour this rosé has a fragrant nose of fresh strawberries and raspberries. The palate is clean and crisp, with a hint of subtle strawberries balanced with a slight minerality which makes for a dry but surprisingly intense and full flavoured rosé. There is no real sweetness as you get with most examples of the variety, but instead there is a wonderful flavour concentration which makes for an appealing and very drinkable summer wine. My advice to anyone who has a bottle of this wine; chill sufficiently, pour into glass and drink.

Score: 87/100
Price: $18
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13%
Would I buy this wine again? For sure, this is a great lunchtime or summer wine, always good to have a bottle on hand.

Nestled on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range of New South Wales, Mudgee has had a one hundred and fifty year viticultural history and over eighty years of association with Italian wine. di Lusso is at the forefront of showcasing some excellent Italian varietals from a region well suited to growing these exciting grapes. Last night we decided to crack a bottle of the 2005 Barbera to accompany some home-made meatballs in a tomato, paprika and rosemary sauce. If anyone knows about making high quality wines to pair with food then it would have to be the Italians!

Enticing raspberry and blackberry aromas leap out of the glass with a hint of spice and earthiness lurking underneath. This wine is rich, round and velvety on the palate and very fruit driven. Medium bodied, there is a little spice and tannin on a slightly drying finish. Incredibly easy to drink this Barbera is fleshy, almost juicy, up front but makes the transition into a slightly more savory well balanced wine after some time in the decanter. This versatile wine carries its alcohol well, mainly due to the fullness of flavour. The flavours of the wine are accentuated with food, though I would be quite happy to drink this on its own.

Score: 91/100
Price: $23
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: di Lusso
Would I buy this wine again? Yes i would, I really like a lot of the Italian varietals and I think this is a good value example of a great food wine.

Usually I ramble on a bit about the background of a wine, however Wynns Black Label Cabernet 2006 really does not need any introduction. I will cut right to the chase and recommend buying a 6-pack for the cellar, especially now that the wine is sealed under screwcap.

Vibrant aromas of plum jam, blackberry, menthol and vanilla oak, this Cabernet tastes nowhere near as ripe as it smells exhibiting a somewhat savory palate of plum and blackberry, mint and a little cocoa. Weighty and mouth filling with a very chewy texture and loads of chalky tannin, the finish is rather long for a ~$20 wine.

I was surprised how the aromatics were leaping out of the bottle straight after removing the screwcap as you often find young red wines, especially Cabernet, are quite closed under these circumstances. It drinks well now, however you need to decant the wine for at least 3-4 hours before the fruit has time to swallow up the oak and tannins.

Score: 92/100
Price: $22
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Other Opinions: Winorama, TORBWine
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, outstanding bang for your buck - especially if discounted below $20 like the 2005 vintage