Seppelt St Peters Shiraz 2008 $52.25–$69 St Peters Vineyard, Grampians, Victoria Legendary winemaker, Colin Preece, managed Seppelt’s Great Western cellars from 1932 to 1963. Although perhaps more famous for his sparkling reds than still table wines, Preece made glorious long-lived reds from the old shiraz vines that still surround the winery. I suspect he’d approve … Continue reading Wine review — Seppelt, Pol Roger, Majella, Curly Flat, Penfolds and Grosset →

Lindemans Coonawarra — $55 Pyrus Cabernet Malbec Merlot 2008 St George Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Limestone Ridge Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet 2008 It was telling at a recent lunch how few people recognised Lindeman’s pedigreed Coonawarra trio. From the heart of the original terra rossa soils along the Riddoch Highway, the three once excited drinkers of … Continue reading Wine review — Lindemans, Ducketts Mill, Capital Wines and Jim Barry →

Brand’s Laira Coonawarra Stentiford’s Old Vine Shiraz 2006 $67–$75 We’ll kick off today’s Coonawarra theme with this beautiful, elegant shiraz sourced from some of the region’s oldest vines. When John Riddoch opened Coonawarra’s first winery in 1896, retired sea captain Stentiford, sold Riddoch shiraz grapes from his Laira vineyard, named after his old ship, and … Continue reading Wine review — Brand’s Stentiford and Wynns →

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2008 $10–$20 It’s just released, the bottle price hit $15.99 by the dozen immediately – and since publishing this review in The Canberra Times has hit $9.90 — a screaming bargain. Stock up as this is an exciting red with a fifty-year pedigree. It’s a beautifully aromatic, vibrant, cool climate shiraz … Continue reading Wine review — Wynns Coonawarra Estate →

Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2007 $16–$24 Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007 $16–$24 This excellent pair from Tyrrell’s invariably attracts trade attention, resulting in very low prices for wines of such quality and provenance. As I write they’re available for as little as $15.99 by the dozen – a real bargain as they … Continue reading Wine review — Tyrrell’s, Tulloch and Penfolds →

Penfolds new release reds $23–$34 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz 2007 Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2007  Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2006  This year’s release of Penfolds reds has been a demure affair. The customary retail price wars seem to have given way to stock pictures, tasting invitations and nary a price … Continue reading Wine review — Penfolds →

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 →