A personality that contrasts 2008, the greatest Yattarna yet, thanks to less Tasmanian fruit (50%) and more Henty (43%, the remainder Adelaide Hills), but every bit as distinguished. In the Aboriginal language, ‘Yattarna’ means ‘little by little, gradually,’ and finally its most recent vintages have refined its personality to match. In the same spirit, this […]
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Penfolds’ only single vineyard flagship cannot benefit from the blending advantage of its stable mates, making this a particularly impressive result after a hot January and the earliest harvest in history. A classic expression of Magill, in a vibrant, sweet-fruited and perfumed style, with impressive fruit expression framed in milk chocolate oak (French and American) […]
readA mild vintage has given birth to the best RWT since 2006, a brilliantly inky black shiraz of dense fruit presence and an undercurrent of classic Barossa milk chocolate and liquorice. Nuances of game, charcuterie and dried earth hover around a ripe, black core, lingering long and lush amid firm, fine tannins.
read2010 DM makes a vital statement: its phenomenal predecessor was no fluke. At thirty-nine years of age and privileged to fanatical biodynamic care, the Cullen vineyard is in a remarkable place indeed. At a tantalising 13.0% alcohol, elegance meets the strictest definition. Utterly enticing, profoundly pure, effortlessly seamless and earth-shakingly long-lived. Margaret River graphite, high […]
readIntroducing the finest sub-$15 chardonnay that’s hit the ground since Armchair Critic Under & Over Tumbarumba Chardonnay made its debut splash in Wine Taste Weekly eleven months ago. Varietal definition of white peach is framed in the taut, zesty structure of the cool 2011 vintage. With a whip crack of acidity and a chalky mineral […]
readHere’s the perfect way to convert any pinot drinker to shiraz. The cool 2011 vintage has blessed young Galway with a little more perfumed violet lift, a little fresher red berry fruit and a touch more pepper spice, making for an alluring, fruit-driven style with soft, supple tannins. $9.50 at Dan’s.
readCaptain Barossa is up to all kinds of tricks, and no one expected petit verdot to shine as one of his more clever stunts. Petit verdot doesn’t stand alone particularly comfortably – but this doesn’t taste a lot like petit verdot, and that’s the point. Instead, it’s a luscious and rich Barossa red, in the […]
readLindsay McCall is a genius in the stratosphere of shiraz, and with each passing year his expertise filters down all the more decisively to this tantalising price for us mere mortals. Peninsula is a maelstrom of complexity, a vortex of exotic spice, plum blossom, anise, coal dust and a churning current of black pepper. Masterfully […]
readEvery trick in the winemaking book was thrown at this wine, and a few besides (including sneaky frozen grape work) but the result transcends all the wizardry with its beautiful restraint, delicate lemon blossom fragrance and pure lemon, grapefruit and pear flavours. Delightful texture, finely structured acidity and outstanding persistence complete an enticingly sophisticated sauvignon. […]
readAvatar is the benchmark for new wave Barossa GSM and 2010 is an outstanding expression. Deep, succulent black plums and juicy black cherries are wrapped in folds of dark chocolate oak. Fine, textural tannins and vibrant acidity keep everything lively and focused. $23 at MyCellars.
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