Devils Corner Pinot Noir 2012

Review of Wine:

Pinot Noir is my wife's favourite red wine and also one of my favourites. Being a Tasmanian Pinot Noir and from Devils Corner you know the wine will be a high standard and it didn't disappoint as seems to be perfectly balanced. Although not the best Pinot Noir I have ever enjoyed it is a wine I would happy drink every night or be happy to take to a dinner party knowing everyone would enjoy it.

Wine Region: Tasmania, Australia

Drink Until: Enjoy now or over the next few years

Varieties: Pinot Noir

Food: Was enjoyed on it's own

Colour: This Pinot Noir is brightly coloured with youthful purple tones

Nose: A strongly perfumed style redolent of spicy black cherry, dark fruits and hints of raspberries.

Palate: The wine displays a juicy, sweet-fruit middle palate with soft, ripe tannins and fresh acidity.

Background:

Intrepid sailors navigating Tasmania’s Tamar River discovered a treacherous bend and named it Devil’s Corner Vineyard. Beyond the tumultuous waters they found an amazing sanctuary, where still waters rewarded their navigational efforts. Their courage in pursuing this sanctuary is celebrated in this truly cool-climate, finely crafted wine from exceptional Tasmanian terroir.

Devils Corner VineyardDevil’s Corner Vineyard is on the East Coast of the island and has a maritime climate, pristine air and perfect terroir – and the most spectacular view of the famous The Hazards of the Freycinet Peninsula. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling cool-climate wines have been crafted with fresh, vibrant fruit intensity, the Pinot Noir being the hero of the range.

Awards: Silver Royal Queensland Wine Show

Wine Rating: 90 Dan Murphy's Wine Panel

Alcohol: 13.0%

Price: $15.00-$20.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

Can be purchased from any of the major liquor stores. 

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.