Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2006

January 8th, 2010 Chuck Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz No Comments »

Overall a fairly well rounded blend, although the two varietals together made me lean towards a merlot; since the shiraz’s pepper notes weren’t announcing themselves loudly. Medium oak and rich plum were the center of attention in this bottle.
The bottle says this wine has won a few Asian awards…maybe my food pairing was wrong…lemme know!
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste dark fruit, oak, plum
Smell plum, dark berry, black cherry
Food grilled lamb chops
Sweetness dry
Price $12.45
LCBO# 106377
Score
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D’arenberg The Stump Jump White 2007

March 16th, 2009 Sean Posted in Australia, White Blend No Comments »

The thermometer broke the 0 mark this weekend, which means its time to get ready for summer by chilling some white wine. Wanting to ease in to the white wine season I picked a blend hoping for something easy going and well rounded. This wine certainly achieved this. Like it’s name, it did jump out of the glass, but in a good way.
Comprised of 62% Riesling, 18% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Marsanne, 6% Viognier and 6% Chardonnay
Tip: Chill Well
At a Glance
Taste mixed citrus, lemon, light oak
Smell gooseberry, pear
Food cashews, tart fruit
Sweetness dry
Price $14.95
LCBO# 922203
Score
Bottle Image
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Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz 2005

June 27th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Shiraz No Comments »

Australia is a great place to pickup a shiraz, and for general list, this one’s not bad but I was expecting a little more balance on the tannin side and was left wanting more of a pepper note which this varietal is so famous for.
As far as shiraz goes, this one is easy drinking and smooth. My thoughts are this vintage is slightly overpriced, but I suppose someone’s gotta pay for this fancy bottle :)
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste blackberry, vanilla, dark fruit
Smell ripe dark fruit, subtle spice
Food lamb
Sweetness dry
Price $15.85
LCBO# 302349
Score
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The Little Penguin Merlot 2007

May 29th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Merlot No Comments »

This wine has it’s place, picnic barbecues. It also has it’s place with the many other merlots from companies who choose to name their product after animals or something cutesy. If you’re a buyer of these wines and enjoy them, give this one a shot, I found it much more enjoyable than the merlot by yellow tail, and it’s a whole nickel cheaper - I’m probably paying for the name ;)
To watch for: how this wine is sweet on the attack but finishes with a slight bitter note.
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste cherry, raspberry, vanilla
Smell cherry, berry
Food picnic food
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.15
LCBO# 598912
Score
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Hope Estate Shiraz 2006

May 18th, 2008 Sean Posted in Australia, Shiraz No Comments »

Picked up this wine on a Friday night after a long and exhausting work week. It was one of several that made it in to the basket somewhere between some inexpensive Sangiovese and some white stuff. Talk about a rose between two thorns.
The moment the cork came out of the bottle I knew something was up, which immediately prompted a call to Chuck telling him to get to the liquor store. This is a very lively and expressive wine, full of fruit and spices with a nice bold middle and easy finish. It had all the hallmarks of Shiraz but with a something a little more interesting that kept me coming back for more. 6 bottles will me making their way in to my collection for sure.
Tip: I’m a very picky Shiraz drinker, loved this one.
At a Glance
Taste wild strawberry, wild raspberry, pepper
Smell black cherry, raspberry, plum
Food mediterranean, bbq
Sweetness extra dry
Price $16.95
LCBO# 59998
Score
Hope Estate Shiraz
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Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot 2006

April 24th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Merlot No Comments »

Bursting with ripe plum and dark berry flavours, this off dry Australian merlot can be sipped on it’s own or paired with food. Noticeably, this wine is designed to be very palatable from the first pour to the last, it does not open up or oxidize as you make your way through the bottle.
For those taking note, get your pen out, as you could call this wine flabby. To be balanced, it would need more tannin and acidity.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste grape, plum, vanilla
Smell plum, vanilla, menthol
Food roast beef
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.35
LCBO# 458679
Score
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Wolf Blass Eagle Hawk Shiraz 2006

April 5th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Shiraz No Comments »

Wolf Blass’ Eagle Hawk shiraz is well crafted and simply put, an excellent value at under $13
This well balanced shiraz is definitely a crowd pleaser. I found it off-dry, fruit forward with a subtle spicy note on the finish along with medium tannins.
Tip: tulip glass
At a Glance
Taste ripe plum, red berries, spice
Smell black cherry, caramel, pepper
Food grilled red meat
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.85
LCBO# 589564
Score
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Yellow Tail Chardonnay 2006

March 28th, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Chardonnay No Comments »

This is my second yellow tail review and I’ve noticed something similar, these wines don’t follow the typical varietal characteristics at all. Both the merlot and this chardonnay tasted too sweet and over manipulated.
It’s not a big surprise to me, they say it on the label ‘the nose leaps from the glass and displays a peachy, vanilla and coconut aroma’. The first two are fine, I can deal with them. But the coconut triggers something in me that says “don’t drink suntan lotion”
Tip: balloon glass
At a Glance
Taste coconut, apple, vanilla
Smell coconut, butterscotch
Food seafood
Sweetness off dry
Price $11.20
LCBO# 627802
Score
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Yellow Tail Merlot 2006

February 23rd, 2008 Chuck Posted in Australia, Merlot No Comments »

Yellow Tail….ahhh, the world’s top selling brand. Lets begin.
This is definitely a love it or hate it wine, I found it to be in a class on it’s own.
If you’re a typical merlot drinker, you may not like this one.
If you’re not a typical wine drinker you may love this wine.
This wine has been labeled as being created in the boardroom rather than in the vineyards (translation: that’s what the kids call a ‘diss’, or what adults call an insult). So they try to appease the masses, good business and it shows, hell, they are the first winery I’ve found to display Nutritional Information.
Tip: open this bottle up for non-winedrinkers, you just may convert them to the dark side ;)
At a Glance
Taste an entire spice rack, juicy ripe fruit
Smell plum, oak, vanilla
Food bbq
Sweetness off dry
Price $12.20
LCBO# 625350
Score
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Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2006

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Australia, Chardonnay No Comments »

From the winemaker www.lindemans.com
Full bodied and soft with bright varietal flavours of pineapple and fig. The palate is creamy and smooth with light touches of spice that define the long, stylish finish.
Nose: A delightful Chardonnay nose with touches of melon, tropical fruit, peaches and nectarines. A subtle note of spice completes the offering.
$ 10.90
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
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Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2006

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Australia, Shiraz No Comments »

From the winemaker www.lindemans.com
A medium to full bodied Shiraz, packed with intense plum flavours, touches of dark chocolate and spice. Creamy vanilla flavours frame the long, elegant finish.
Nose: Dark fruit aromas: cassis; mulberry; and plum, blend seamlessly with cedar-like spice and hints of creamy vanilla.
$ 12.95
This wine has not been reviewed by nosnob.com
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Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon No Comments »

From the winemaker www.lindemans.com
A medium to full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that combines dark berry fruit and cassis flavours with hints of chocolate and mint. The finish is stylish, long and juicy.
Nose: Cassis and bramble fruit aromas meld with dark fruit notes and subtle spiced touches.
$ 12.35
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Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir 2005

January 13th, 2008 Archive Posted in Australia, Pinot Noir No Comments »

From the winemaker www.lindemans.com
Medium bodied, soft and elegant. Fresh red berry flavours develop savoury, game characters. The finish is balanced with cleansing acidity and a touch of smoky oak.
A complex nose with cherry and strawberry highlights and darker meat jus gamey notes.
$ 12.35
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