Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Margaret River is an under appreciated region for Australian Shiraz, and it's hard to see why with Cape Mentelle's Shiraz showing a vibrant core of blueberry, mulberry and hints of raspberry. It is well balanced with cocoa and savoury oak. The palate yet, is fine, elegant and focussed, finishing with chalky and structural tannins.
Dog Point Pinot Noir
Dog Point is responsible for some of Marlborough's best Pinot noir. This release has lifted aromas of dark cherries stone fruit and violets. The palate is rich and complex with a supple velvety texture.
Gibson The Dirtman Shiraz
The Dirtman Shiraz by Gibson Wines is named after Rob Gibson, owner and winemaker. With love of viticulture and the soil, Rob has always been referred to as The Dirtman. This attractive Shiraz has wonderful rich, dark cherry notes with plums and a touch of apricot thrown in. The texture on the palate is vibrant with a length that is simply perfect.
Tasca Lamuri Nero d'Avola
Bright, intense ruby red, Tasca Lamuri Nero d'Avola displays rich aromas of cherry, blackberry and mulberry. Vanilla bean, tobacco and aromatic herbs on the palate lead into dark forest fruits and oak adding a beautifully balanced flavour. Good structure and pleasantly fruity with red and black berries.
Eden Hall Shiraz
Though part of the Barossa, the Eden Valley is a slightly cooler climate than the neighbouring Barossa Valley, so generally produce Shiraz that is slightly more elegant in style. That said, the Eden Hall Shiraz is a wine that is not only rich, vibrant and full of life today, it will also hang in for the long haul.
Mitolo Jester Shiraz
Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is considered Mitolo's baby G.A.M Shiraz using the same barrels in which the G.A.M was previously aged in. The palate is full of bright, red berry flavours, a subtle herbal character and an overall savoury quality to the finish. Made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, the Jester Shiraz delivers excellent quality for the price.
Frogmore Creek Pinot Noir
Organically grown grapes from Tasmania have yielded a complex Pinot Noir with dried strawberry fruit characters and a satisfying savoury palate. Elegant and enjoyable Pinot from an up and coming producer!
Pacha Mama Pinot Noir
This wine is made with Pinot Noir fruit grown on some spectacular vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley, comprising predominantly MV6 clone, with some 114 and 115. Pacha Mama use minimal additives or fining and aim to let the fruit shine through rather than clobbering all over it with heavy oak use or commercial wine-making techniques. Flavours of sour cherry and wild strawberries carry on to the palate complexed by a savoury spice and intriguing earthiness that lingers long after the last mouthful.
John Duval Entity Shiraz
John Duval rose to winemaking fame as the craftsman of the mighty Penfolds Grange, before going it alone to further forge his reputation as a maker of great Shiraz. The aim of The Entity is to produce a wine true to the region. Rich and complex it shows ripe, spicy fruit characters with a complex savoury oak influence framed by fine lingering tannins.
Gibson Reserve Shiraz
Gibson Wines is one of the reasons why we all love the Barossa Valley so much. Small family winery, ancient soils, hand-crafter wines all made by a true Barossa character, Rob Gibson. With his signature moustache and motorcyclists' leather waistcoat, Rob puts all his years of experience into every bottle. The Reserve Shiraz is grown from a single estate vineyard in Stockwell and displays aromas and flavours that are fresh and lively with juicy fruit tones that are hard to find in 2007. Amazing what can be achieved with rigorous fruit selection and detailed winemaking.