Category Archives: Coonawarra

2009 Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra 14.0% Cork $25 This is the younger sibling of Yalumba’s The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced (I believe) from the same vineyard and vinified in much the same way. It sees 14 months in mostly French hogsheads. Following on from … Continue reading

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2006 Parker Terra Rossa First Growth

Coonawarra 15.0% Screwcap $110 Onto the Granddaddy of the 2006 Parker Terra Rossa releases, the First Growth Cabernet Melot blend (86%, 13% and 1% unaccounted for). Seriously, if you buy this don’t crack it yet – or if you do … Continue reading

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2006 Parker Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra 15.0% Screwcap $40 The ABV does not lie- this is a big wine (something I’m discussing on twitter as I type this note). I could even say it’s a leviathan but I’d prefer to avoid being sued for using … Continue reading

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2006 Parker Terra Rossa Merlot

Coonawarra 14.0% Screwcap $40 Anyone familiar with the Balnaves label will be well aware that Pete Bissell isn’t shy about using a bit of oak. He’s quite capable of pulling it off too, under the right circumstances. This one sees … Continue reading

Posted in Coonawarra, Merlot | 6 Comments

2008 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra 14.0% Screwcap $31.95 Well, this wine has been reviewed to death but Wine Will Eat Itself is light on Coonawarra Cabernet content and I just can’t let that situation stand can I? It’s an excellent release from a vintage that … Continue reading

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2007 Zema Estate Shiraz

Coonawarra 15.5% Screwcap $25 Source: Sample Some may disagree with the above text… From the difficulties of Coonawarra’s 2007 vintage, Zema have crafted a winner here. The alcohol is certainly high but it doesn’t impart any real heat on the … Continue reading

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2006 Zema Cluny Cabernet Merlot

Coonawarra 14.0% Screwcap $25 Source: Sample A rustic wine. Very, very rustic. Needs the right food and then it’s ok. 60% Cabernet, 25% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec. Violets and raspberry jam with briary red fruits, plums (in … Continue reading

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2008 Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra 14.5% Screwcap $28 Source: Sample Max Allen’s new book, ‘The Future Makers: Australian Wines for the 21st Century’ refers to “the beautiful, rustic, salami-loving edge of Zema Estate’s reds”. It’s a line that I hope my readers have firmly in their … Continue reading

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2007 Coonawarra Tasting- Styles & Vintage

I had the pleasure of recently attending a tasting of the new release wines from Coonawarra kindly put on by Tyson Stelzer. I’d never tasted wines in this manner before & it was a learning experience in many ways. Here … Continue reading

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2006 Wynns Alex 88 Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra SA 14% Screwcap $40- Tasted 21-22/8/09 Some Coonawarra Cabernet “For Your Pleasure” (my favourite Roxy Music album, in fact I only listen to the 1st two, when Eno was on board). Oh this was tast-eeeee. Wynns are doing the … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra | 4 Comments