Montrose Mudgee Stony Creek Chardonnay 2007 $19–24 Montrose Mudgee Black Shiraz 2006 $24–29 In December 2006 Bob Oatley and family, founders of Rosemount Estate, bought Orlando’s Mudgee vineyards and its winery, founded originally as Montrose Wines by Carlo Salteri and Franco Belgiorno-Nettis in 1974. Historically, and among the new releases, the standout wine is the … Continue reading Wine review — Montrose Mudgee & Jacob’s Creek →

Jacob’s Creek Shiraz 2006, Grenache Shiraz 2007, Shiraz Cabernet 2007, Merlot 2007, Cabernet Merlot 2005 $9–$11 My pick of these always-reliable reds is the shiraz, described in a breathless and silly press release as ‘a great example of a big hearty red’ but more aptly, on the back label, as ‘a medium bodied wine’. That’s … Continue reading Wine review — Jacob’s Creek, Oxford Landing & Climbing →

Centennial Vineyards Woodside Tempranillo 2006 $20.99 Centennial Vineyards Sparkling Tempranillo Rosé $24.99 Centennial Vineyards is a substantial Southern Highlands grower, maker and exporter with an impressive cellar door facility. Of its Southern-Highlands-grown wines, these two, made from the Spanish red variety, tempranillo, appeal. The red offers attractive ripe-berry aromas and a tasty, fruity palate that … Continue reading Wine review — Centennial Vineyards, Tertini & Jeir Creek →

McKellar Ridge Canberra District Shiraz Viognier 2006 $22-$24 Brian and Janet Johnston’s McKellar Ridge is a tiny operation focusing on small parcels of high quality Canberra district fruit. The wines have always been good. But this latest release, to my taste, does away with a few little blemishes that kept earlier vintages out of the … Continue reading Wine review — McKellar Ridge, Jacob’s Creek Steingarten, Stefano Lubiano and Tower →

Madfish Western Australia Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 $15–$19 Cape Mentelle Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 $25 Today’s summer-drinking selections feature three pairs of proven regional varietal specialties. The first pair are brilliant, contrasting examples of one of Australia’s most popular blends – sauvignon blanc and semillon from southwestern Western Australia. Madfish is all about … Continue reading Wine review — Madfish, Cape Mentelle, Jacob’s Creek, Chandon, Tyrrell’s & La Chablisienne →

Cumulus Wine Climbing Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $19.99 At last year’s Orange District wine show judges James Halliday, Celine Rousseau and I pushed this wine to the top of the cabernet class – meaning a trophy as well as a gold medal. Away from the sip-and-spit pressure of a wine show and six months on, … Continue reading Wine review — Cumulus, Fox Creek & Eileen Hardy →

Ravensworth Canberra District Sangiovese 2005 $22 I recommended this now gold medal winner back in March as a wine that “just needs a little time in bottle to emerge as a vibrant and sophisticated expression of the variety”.  As noted earlier this is one of the best Australian shots I’ve seen with this Italian variety, … Continue reading Wine review — Ravensworth, Surveyors Hill & First Creek →

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Sauvignon 2006 $22 If one wine displays – deliciously — the fruit muting underway at DeBortoli Yarra Valley, it’s sauvignon blanc. They’ve even pruned the name to ‘sauvignon’, indicating that’s something’s up. And what’s up begins with low yields in the vineyard, hand picking, gentle handling and spontaneous fermentation (i.e. no … Continue reading Wine review — De Bortoli Yarra Valley & Bream Creek Tasmania →

Chateau Pato Hunter DJP Shiraz 2004 $45 & Old Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz 2004 $29 Chateau Pato, founded by the late David John Paterson and now run by his son, Nick, makes impossibly small batches – 160 dozen and 180 dozen respectively – of these classic Hunter Shiraz styles. The first, bearing David’s initials and from … Continue reading Wine review — Chateau Pato, Fox Creek & Mount Horrocks →

Jacob’s Creek Johann 1999 $100, St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet 2002 $40, Centenary Hill Barossa Shiraz 1997 $40, Steingarten Barossa Ranges Riesling 2002 $30, Reeve’s Point Padthaway Chardonnay 2002 $30 Meet the posh members of the Jacob’s Creek family: Johann, an extraordinarily rich, elegant Barossa Shiraz, Coonawarra Cabernet blend for long cellaring; Centenary Hill, a powerful, … Continue reading Wine review — Jacob’s Creek, Cloudy Bay & Brookland Valley →