John Quarisa is a Jimmy Watson Trophy-winning winemaker, with a "long and distinguished" career (Halliday). Here he's provided a beautifully rich, lush and full-flavoured Shiraz, a triple Gold-winner laden with ripe fruits, delicious exotic spice and a smooth, long finish.
The Yellow Tail Shiraz has aromas of ripe berries and sweet vanilla. Spicy, sweet fruit flavours on the palate are matched with subdued earthy tones and fine tannins.
Tyrrells had been a well known winery for decades. Its Old Winery Pinot Noir is medium bodied due to the warmer climate in NSW. Attractive cherry and strawberry jams, perfumed spices with restrained oak on the nose. Its smooth texture and chalky tannins certainly leaves a great impression on the palate.
Bin 8 has been crafted in the traditional Penfolds style. Ripe, balanced fruit flavours are supported by softly integrated oak resulting in an impressive, smooth red wine. Textured, plush tannins create a neat and tidy framework to house rich blackberry fruit spiced by derived vanilla pod. Barrel maturation has added a creamy texture and mouthfeel.
Bin 707 is a Cabernet Sauvignon reflection of Grange, intensely-flavoured fruit, completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak, expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 when fruit was directed to other wines, nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003 or 2011 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 retains a secure place among the ranks of Australias finest Cabernets.
Taylors Discoveries Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant crimson red, with lifted fruit aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and a touch of herbaceous notes. A bouquet of subtle cedar characters from the oak maturation add complexity which works well with its medium body and gentle palate of juicy blackcurrant fruits. Silky smooth mouth feel and a lingering finish.
Restrained red fruit with a background of menthol, leather and tobacco on the nose leads to a big mouthful of cherries, vanilla and plums with good intensity. A nicely balanced wine, drinking very well.
Houghton Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stripe series of wines has loads of cassis and dark plum flavours that are perfectly balanced with hints of cigar box, soft tannins and a touch of oak. A true WA Cabernet for a fantastic price!