Winetastic

Gotta love Barwang, flying the flag for NSW Cabernet and keeping those rampaging hordes from the south and west at bay. This 2006 vintage is excellent, however by the time you read this it’s probably too late to snap any up from retail shelves which are now stacked with the very good 2007 - a review of which is pending.

The sweet aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry lure you into the full bodied palate, naturally loaded with blackcurrant flavour supported by a dash of spice and fine tannins with a little grip. Youthful, balanced and very drinkable right now, or you could cellar over the medium term.

I think it is fair to say that this is the best value for money Cabernet I have tried this year, so if you happen to spot any bottles left at retail, buy the lot and send me a few more.

Score: 93/100
Price: $16
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, sadly I only managed to get my hands on 4 bottles.

Following swiftly on the heels of the very good 2006 vintage is the Meerea Park Shiraz 2007, a blend of 60% Hilltops and 40% Hunter Valley Shiraz.

Showing vibrant ripe berry and plum aromas, this medium bodied red has soft tannins, cherry and plum flavours supported by spices and a little leather or earth on the finish. Very easy drinking, finishes a touch short but what do you expect for $12?

I am probably being a points miser this time around, it really is a great BBQ wine and punches well above its weight. For what its worth, Gemma liked this wine even more than I did. You can buy some at Dan Murphy’s.

Score: 88/100
Price: $12
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Other Opinions: Meerea Park
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, its a great value every day drinking wine

Up until this review I had not tried any Clonakilla wines, however now I think it is fair to say that if you live in NSW and are feeling a bit parochial, but not in the mood for something from the Hunter, then the Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2007 will be a safe bet.

Perfumed aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry and some floral notes. On the palate it’s lush and full flavoured with grippy, yet fine tannins and a long lingering finish. Although very approachable now, a few years in the cellar should do wonders.

I tip my hat to the winemaker Tim Kirk, this is a fine effort. I cannot wait to crack open a bottle of the super-premium Shiraz Viognier - an occasion that will need to wait a few years.

Score: 93/100
Price: $27
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Cant seem to find any outside of subscriber only websites
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes indeed, I am pleased to say I have 3 more bottles in the cellar.

This new release Meerea Park Shiraz 2006 is a blend of 60% Hilltops and 40% Hunter Valley fruit and is their first stab at the “budget wine” market. It will not be available at the cellar door, however you should be able to find it quite easily at Dan Murphy’s etc.

Deep crimson with jammy aromas of blackberry, blueberry and clove, this medium bodied red shows dark fruit flavours of blackberry and cherry, grippy drying tannins and a dash of oak on the savoury finish. NB: The wine was very recently bottled when these notes were taken.

The verdict? I like it, good shiraz fruit at a snappy price. Alternate dippings between a case of this regional blend and Mount Pleasant Philip 05 would be enough to make any New South Welshman swell with pride at the top notch budget booze we have available this year.

Score: 90/100
Price: $15
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Other Opinions: Meerea Park, Winorama
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, great value for money