Category Archives: Shiraz

2011 Alkoomi Frankland River Shiraz Viognier

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Incorporates 7% Viognier…which feels like a little too much in this wine. It’s slippery and tannic, floral and spicy. Underneath a thick veil of cedary chocolate oak are echoes of stonefruit, blackberry and mulberry. Seasoning in the way of ginger, … Continue reading →

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2012 Journey Wines Heathcote Shiraz

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

The journey takes winemaker Damien North to Colbinabbin in Heathcote for this inaugural Shiraz. Once again, the end result impresses. This is fast becoming a label to watch. Indigenous yeasts, 33% new French barriques and 20% whole bunch. Thoroughly regional, … Continue reading →

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2012 Luke Lambert Crudo Syrah

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

A wine which has me salivating at the thought of the coming releases of the 2012 Luke Lambert standard and reserve Syrahs. 20% whole bunches, no new oak. Not overly stalky. It’s fleshier than the higher tiered wines have been in the past, the … Continue reading →

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2012 Wyndham Esate Bin 555 Shiraz

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

A good vintage for a multi-regional blend like this. It tastes commercial and glossy but it still has some substance and the fruit seems to be of good quality. Sweet and soft cherries and blackberries with a lick of vanilla and … Continue reading →

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2011 The Armchair Critic Heathcote Shiraz

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Not a bad effort for a relatively inexpensive label and a tough year. Pepper, eucalypt, blackberries over red fruits. Stern, slightly green feeling tannin is a drawback. Not much persistence but good flavour within a medium-bodied package. 87 Region: Heathcote Alcohol: … Continue reading →

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2009 Teusner MC Sparkling Shiraz

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

If you’re looking for a Sparkling Shiraz with overt aged complexity, particularly of the mushroom variety, then this isn’t the wine for you. At least not yet. I’d love to see what it might serve up in another five to ten … Continue reading →

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2011 Meerea Park XYZ Shiraz

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Fruit was sourced from a couple of “mature” vineyards in the Hunter Valley’s Pokolbin area. Some inclusion of whole bunches which work in the wine’s favour. Slightly confected red and black berries mingle with streaky bacon, pepper and regional earthiness. Some vanilla from … Continue reading →

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2011 Teusner The Playground Six Million Dollar Eden Valley Shiraz

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

The Playground series from Teusner is available from their cellar door outlet – Artisans of the Barossa – and presents an opportunity for the winemaking team to explore parcels of grapes with an increased sense of freedom. From the press release: … Continue reading →

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2012 Zeppelin Big Bertha Shiraz

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

This is bombastic. Lacks any finesse but will suit a certain subset of drinkers and isn’t over-priced. Ripe, sweet, curranty, plummy, glossy and warm. A big wine. Not much in the way of definition or detail. The acid is spiky … Continue reading →

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2012 Zeppelin Barossa Shiraz

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jeremy Pringle

Made by Kym Teusner for McWilliam’s. Slightly soft-fruited but not in a way that detracts from the wine. Very approachable. Not at all bombastic. Blackberry, cherries and plums. Traces of nuts and salted licorice. The acidity sits comfortably and oak … Continue reading →

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