Wine reviews – Whitton Farm and Collector Wines – Canberra winemakers, Hilltops grapes

22 December 2021People, Vineyard, Wine, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Whitton Farm Hilltops Fiano 2019 $27 The fiano grape, originally from Campania, southern Italy, makes distinctive, full-flavoured dry whites. Jancis Robinson says the variety was first mentioned in 1240, while others speculate it may have been the variety behind the ancient Roman wine Apianum. The heat-tolerant variety finds a home in increasing number of Australian … Continue reading Wine reviews – Whitton Farm and Collector Wines – Canberra winemakers, Hilltops grapes →

The Phil Laffer tapes – part 2

10 April 2020People, Uncategorized, Vineyard, WineChris Shanahan

An insider’s view of the Australian wine industry and the Jacob’s Creek brand Transcription of an interview with Phil Laffer, Canberra, 16 March 2006 Jacob’s Creek people The winemakers If you’re going to be a good winemaker you have to be passionate about it. And that means passion about wine, food, people vines and a … Continue reading The Phil Laffer tapes – part 2 →

The Phil Laffer tapes

28 November 2019People, Vineyard, WineChris Shanahan

An insider’s view of the Australian wine industry and one of its successful brands The following is a transcript of my interview with Phil Laffer at Roland Flat, Barossa Valley, 14 March 2006. The interview was one of two I conducted with Phil for the production of The view from our place, a booklet released in … Continue reading The Phil Laffer tapes →

Wine review – Vickery, Tar and Roses, Balnaves, Xanadu, Bream Creek, and Taittinger

30 September 2015People, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Vickery Watervale Riesling 2015 Brazel, Castine and Koerner vineyards, Watervale, Clare Valley, South Australia $19–$23 This beautiful riesling is a collaboration between riesling master John Vickery (first vintage 1951) and Barossa based Phil Lehmann, winemaker for the WD Wine group, owners of Hesketh Wines, St John’s Road and Parker Coonawarra Estate. Vickery’s involvement extended from … Continue reading Wine review – Vickery, Tar and Roses, Balnaves, Xanadu, Bream Creek, and Taittinger →

Wine review – Xanadu, West Cape Howe, Shaw and Smith, Majella, Moppity Vineyards and Pig in the House

27 August 2014Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 $57–$65 Stevens Road vineyard, Margaret River, Western Australia Xanadu’s classy cabernet comes from “21 rows of Houghton clone cabernet at the bottom of Block 3” [of the Stevens vineyard, planted 1989], says the company’s website. This tiny batch of grapes made one of the purest, most elegant and harmonious … Continue reading Wine review – Xanadu, West Cape Howe, Shaw and Smith, Majella, Moppity Vineyards and Pig in the House →

Beer and cider review – Matso’s and Tilse’s

30 July 2014Beer review, CiderChris Shanahan

Matso’s Lychee Beer 330ml $3.42 Matso’s brewery, Broome, describe this as a “mixed marriage” derived from the various long-term influences on local culture – “Chinese, Japanese, Koepangers and Ghans”. Slightly reminiscent of the Belgian wheat style, Lychee offers fresh, light, delicate flavours with a little sweet kiss, courtesy no doubt of the lychee and elderflower in … Continue reading Beer and cider review – Matso’s and Tilse’s →

Winewise Championship sifts for nuggets

12 March 2014People, WineChris Shanahan

In late 2009, in the back of a taxi headed for the Macedon wine show, Winewise magazine’s Lester Jesberg outlined his ambitions for a grand final of Australian wine judging events. Jesberg’s idea was to hold a “best of the best” competition, inviting only gold medallists from Australia’s national shows, selected regional wine shows and … Continue reading Winewise Championship sifts for nuggets →

Wine review– Riposte, Tscharke and Redbank

25 August 2013People, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Riposte The Dagger Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2012 $20–$22 A visit to the Adelaide Hills in late July turned up some lovely reds and whites from the 2012 vintage – a very favourable season following the cold, wet 2011 season. Winemaker Tim Knappstein sources fruit from various parts of the hills and makes his wine … Continue reading Wine review– Riposte, Tscharke and Redbank →

Wine review — Penfolds, Combe Farm, Couryabyra, Paxton and Chrismont

5 June 2013Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Penfolds Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $350 Coonawarra, South Australia Late last year, Macquarie analyst Greg Dring estimated sales of Penfolds wines represented five per cent of the total for parent company Treasury Wine Estates – but comprised around 50 per cent of pre-tax profit. The international strength of the Penfolds brand, built over many … Continue reading Wine review — Penfolds, Combe Farm, Couryabyra, Paxton and Chrismont →

Penfolds Grange 2008 leads a distinguished line up

22 May 2013People, Wine, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

A few strokes on Lisa Perotti-Brown’s laptop – 100 points – gave the world its headline – “The perfect Grange”. And like catatonic chooks, eyes glued to a single point, the world’s editors obsessed on one wine of the seven Penfolds released on 2 May. What a lot of fun they missed. But Grange makes … Continue reading Penfolds Grange 2008 leads a distinguished line up →

Chris Shanahan

Australian wine & beer judge, writer and connoisseur

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