Category Archives: Shiraz et al

2010 Cradle of Hills Shiraz Mourvèdre

Cradle of Hills are a producer to watch in McLaren Vale but I must admit I’m not entirely enamoured with this release from the excellent 2010 vintage. It’s a touch too thick and slightly soupy with the alcohol also quite … Continue reading

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2009 d’Arenberg Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre

I’m of the opinion that Grenache fared better than Shiraz in the Vale during the warm 2009 vintage. It’s a generalisation but I’m content to make it. So it’s really not surprising that I vastly prefer the d’Arenberg Ironstone Pressings … Continue reading

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2010 Three Dark Horses Shiraz Grenache Touriga

The Shiraz and Grenache come from McLaren Vale, the Touriga from Langhorne Creek.  50%, 25% and 25% respectively. Aged for 18 months in new and old French oak. Redcurrants, cherries, minty lift, vanilla and red earth. Spicy and leathery on the palate. … Continue reading

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2011 Thomas DJV Shiraz 2011

I meant to taste this alongside the other 2011 Thomas red wine releases but I happened to misplace it. Have been checking in on it since last Friday. It’s my least favourite of his wines from that vintage. Sourced from the … Continue reading

Posted in Hunter Valley, Shiraz, Shiraz et al, Syrah, Syrah et al | Tagged | 3 Comments

2011 Le Chat Noir Minervois vieilles vignes Syrah Mourvèdre

Minervois is an appellation that sits in the western part of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of southern France. This is a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre sourced from bush vines aged between 79 and 82 years of age. … Continue reading

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2011 Yangarra Estate GSM

A blend of 41% Grenache, 31% Shiraz and 28% Mourvèdre and a testament to the value of canopy management and exposure in years that present issues of disease and rot. Silky and agile in the mouth, pretty and perfumed on … Continue reading

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2010 Pepperilly Purple Patch

We’ve got another winner in the sub $20 sweepstakes here. A Grenache, Mourvèdre, Shiraz blend from Geographe of all places. 65%, 25% and 15% respectively. Rich sweet purple berries on entry (not auto-suggestion) with some red and dark cherry fruits … Continue reading

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2011 Inkwell Road to Joy Shiraz Primitivo

Dudley Brown’s Inkwell Vineyard in Tatachilla appears to have fared astonishingly well in a tough year. Forget generalisations about 2011 or you’ll miss out on a bargain…and a damn fine wine. A blend of 86% Shiraz and 14% Primitivo/Zinfandel. Has … Continue reading

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2010 d’Arenberg The Wild Pixie Shiraz Roussanne

If you don’t like white grapes in red wine then look away now. Or keep reading; you may be surprised. This a blend of Shiraz co-fermented with 5% Roussanne. It’s a better wine than the d’Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier … Continue reading

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2012 Teusner Avatar

I had an interesting discussion with Kym Teusner this year on blends and the history of the Joshua and the Avatar. Both were first made in 2002, a couple of years before the juggernaut of the Riebke Shiraz “came and … Continue reading

Posted in Barossa, Grenache et al, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Shiraz et al | Tagged | 4 Comments