Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2012

Review of Wine:

This wine was given to me as a gift recently so thought I would open it one evening when we where making home made pizza with bruschetta and salami. I happily enjoyed this wine as found this particular year to be one of the better recent years. Although I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase this bottle I would enjoy it again if I was at a dinner party or a wedding and it was provided. The wine isn't quite as smooth as some shiraz's on the market and seems a little one dimensional but goes down well.

Wine Region: Barossa, South Australia, Australia

Drink Until: Drink Now

Varieties: Shiraz Cabernet

Food: I enjoyed this with home made pizzas. 

Colour: Deep dark red

Nose: N/A

Palate: Hints of raspberry, mulberry and redcurrant 

Background:

Australia's winemaking history of less than two hundred years is brief by European measures, though, like Europe, punctuated by periods of extreme success and difficult times. From the earliest winemaking days Penfolds has figured prominently and few would argue the importance of Penfolds influence on Australia's winemaking psyche. Without the influence of Penfolds the modern Australian wine industry would look very different indeed. Sitting comfortably outside of fad and fashion, Penfolds has taken Australian wine to the world on a grand stage and forged a reputation for quality that is without peer.

Penfolds has a history and heritage that profoundly reflects Australia’s journey from colonial settlement to the modern Era. Established in 1844, just eight years after the foundation of South Australia, Penfolds has played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking in Australia - and across the world.

Penfolds collection of benchmark wines were established in a spirit of innovation and the constant and endless pursuit of quality, evidenced from the secret bottlings of Grange in 1951 and the unbroken line of vintages of what is now Australia’s most iconic wine.

Awards:

No awards

Wine Rating: 88 Wine Spectator/Stephen Tanzer

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: $15.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

Can be purchased from any of the major liquor stores. 

Ballandean Estate Aged Rum Ball Liqueur

Review of Wine:

Purchased this when doing a wine tour of the Granite Belt a few years back and really enjoyed the liqueur as was a new take on a wine liqueur. Is something that I enjoy to have after dinner like having a port before going to bed. Would happily purchase another bottle of this to enjoy.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink Now or will keep for a long period of time.

Varieties: Liqueur

Food: Suggest rumballs, or any kind of chocolate truffle

Colour: Light red with hints of brown

Nose: N/A

Palate: N/A

Background:

Since 1932 our family has produced wine from our vineyards in Ballandean for the enjoyment of Australian & International wine lovers. We are exceptionally proud of our contribution to the unfolding story of the Granite Belt Wine Region. Ballandean Estate has 2 beautiful vineyards in Ballandean. The original vineyard situated on Sundown Road, was first planted by Salvatore Cardillo in 1932. The oldest vines on this vineyard date back to 1968. The second vineyard Bellview was purchased in the late 1990's and situated on a hill overlooking the Girraween National Park.

Awards:

No awards

Wine Rating: N/A

Alcohol: 20.8%

Price: $26.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

Can be purchased direct from Ballandean Estate at there cellar door.

Heritage Estate Reserve Shiraz 2013 Single Vineyard

Review of Wine:

Was expecting to enjoy this wine as had heard positive things about the winery but found the wine only average when drinking it. I didn't pair it correctly with food but still found the wine to be extremely smooth. I did find when drinking this Shiraz and it seemed like a high amount of preservatives seem to be in the wine as while drinking it was expecting to have a bit of a hang over the next day but didn't find this to be the case fortunately. I didn't know if at the time but the 2013 vintage was effected by hail so the 2012 or 2014 vintages might be much better.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink now or until 2018

Varieties: Shiraz

Food: Tried this wine with tomato based pizzas

Colour: A deep rich red

Nose: Vibrant spicy berry and subtle white pepper nose typical of Granite Belt Shiraz.

Palate: The palate delivers sweet mulberry and raspberry fruit with texture and length and fine grained tannins.

Background:

Heritage Estate (owned by Bryce and Paddy Kassulke) has two estate vineyards in the Granite Belt, one at Cottonvale (north) at an altitude of 960m, where it grows white varieties, and the other at Ballandean, a slightly warmer site where red varieties and marsanne are planted. Heritage Estate has been a prolific award-winner in various Qld wine shows and it has invested in a new bottling line enabling it to use screwcaps. After a series of difficult vintages, with the Cottonvale vineyard, predominantly planted to white varieties, hit by hail in 2013, Heritage Estate has bounced back impressively, taking full advantage of the excellent 2014 vintage.

Awards:

No awards

Wine Rating: N/A

Alcohol: 14.8%

Price: $25.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

Never been to the winery myself but can be purchased directly from the Heritage Estate website.