Symphony Hill Reserve Petit Verdot 2012

Review of Wine:

Can say I'm quite a fan of Symphony Hill Wines as they are my favourite local boutique winery. Have always enjoyed shiraz wines and being a Petit Verdot has many similarities. The wine is very smooth once opening and breathing for 5-10 minutes. I would happily drink this wine day in day out but at the retail price feel it is a little over priced but as I receive is as part of a wine membership it works out to be $25 a bottle which I feel is very good value. The only other reason I can see why James Halliday would have only scored this a 92 is because their doesn't seem to be a lot of complexity to the wine. 

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink until 2027

Varieties: Petit Verdot

Food: I enjoyed this wine by itself and also with a vegetarian pasta.

Colour: A dark deep red with a purple tinge.

Nose: Explosive aromas of violets and loganberries are delightfully backed with a hint of licorice.

Palate: The palate delivers rich, ripe flavours of blueberry and blackberry wrapped in fine silky tannins and a juicy mouth filling finish.

Background:

Symphony Hill Wines is a group of family and friends bonded together on the quest to make world class wines and to never stop learning. We are a company that wholeheartedly believes in the mind blowing potential of wines grown and made on the Granite Belt. The Granite Belt is the promised land of viticulture with altitudes ranging from 600m to 1000m – all within the one region. As a result climatic conditions vary tremendously allowing all sorts of varieties to excel depending on which altitude they are planted. As an example, our own vineyard is the highest of the region allowing our flagship wine, Reserve Shiraz, to produce a style of wine that is unique in Australia and totally different to Shiraz grown at lower altitudes. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is harvested in early May which is one month later than Cabernet harvested in Clare Valley, showing how cool our climate is in comparison to other wine regions.

Awards:

GOLD MEDAL 2015 Royal Queensland Wine Show

Wine Rating: 92 (James Halliday) 

Alcohol: 14.5%

Price: $65.00 AUD but being sold to wine club members for $45.50 AUD (30% Discount)

Where to Purchase:

This is my personal favourite winery in the Granite Belt of Queensland as have been a wine club member for several years and have visited the winery many times over the years. Is available from independent liquor stores in south east Queensland or directly from the Symphony Hill website.

Rumbalara Shiraz 2013

Review of Wine:

Not the most amazing Shiraz I have ever had but for the price was a nice enjoyable Shiraz that I would be happy to enjoy again. I personally would not cellar this wine as think it is a wine to open and enjoy now.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink now or over the next 6 years

Varieties: Shiraz

Food: We enjoyed it during a BBQ of beef spare ribs, chicken wings and marinated lamb cutlets.

Colour: N/A

Nose: N/A

Palate: N/A

Background:

The property now known as Rumbalara was first surveyed before 1908. Part of the land occupied by early owners was a mining lease containing a silver-bearing quartz intrusion discovered during the construction of the railway linking Brisbane and Sydney. The land was originally used as an orchard, with the first grapes planted in 28. Bob and Una Gray purchased the property in 74 and planted and grafted (onto existing rootstock) classic wine grape varieties including semillon and cabernet sauvignon. Rumbalara was purchased by Mike and Bobbi Crag in 2002.

Alcohol: 14.0%

Price: $20.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

Having never been to the winery myself this was a gift from a friends recent trip to Stanthorpe when they come over for dinner. Can be purchased directly from the Rumbalara website.

Golden Grove Estate Barbera 2014

Review of Wine:

I have really enjoyed drinking a more unusual wine grape here in Australia. Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that is third most-planted red grape variety in Italy. It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid. This was my first experience with Barbera as can be hard to fine in bottle shops but look forward to enjoying many more bottles of Barbera in the future.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink now or over the next 3 years

Varieties: Barbera

Food: Perfect for light fresh food. I enjoyed it with an Italian pizza.

Colour: deep red

Nose: This wine shows vibrant cherry and plum fruits with a hint of spice.

Palate:

Generous flavours of dark cherry, a little compote like. Raspberry is flicked out just at the death, something which just sticks with a length that is giving.

Background:

Golden Grove Estate Vineyard and Winery, is situated in the highlands of the Ballandean Valley, in the heart of Queenslands premier wine district, the Granite Belt. The high altitude of 820 metres and cool summer climate make the area ideal for the growing of classic wine grape varieties and production of fine wines. The first vines were planted in 1975 and were followed in recent years by other classic varieties. The vineyards are planted in a northerly aspect in a combination type soil of decomposed granite with trap rock loam and are drip irrigated from the Accommodation Creek. These attributes contribute to the slow ripening and full development of soft delicate flavors. Mario and Nita Costanzo, growing grapes for the fresh fruit market, first settled the property in 1946. As the wine industry emerged classic wine grape varieties were planted for the making of commercial wine. The property was then taken over by son Sam and along with his wife Grace became the sole owners and operators of Golden Grove, who continued planting and making wine. In 1991 cellar doors were opened for wine tourism, tasting and sales. Their eldest son Raymond graduated from Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, with a Bachelor of Applied Science (wine science) and after having worked in the industry for seven years returned home to take over the winemaking role.

Alcohol: N/A

Price: $24.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

This was included as a wine from a Wine Club membership with the wine producer directly but is also available from selected independent wine shops. More details available directly from the Golden Grove website.

Old Caves 2008 Cabernet Merlot

Review of Wine:

I have to say I haven't had a lot of experience with the Pinot Noir variety of wines as one of my first experiences with this grape type didn't encourage me to order another bottle if you get my drift. Quite some time has since past so I thought I would give the variety another try and I'm glad I did. The wine is a nice change from your typical CabSav's and Shiraz's as seems all most lighter in texture but doesn't seem to disappoint in taste. I have read that you can't seem to find a nice Pinot Noir for under $40 a bottle but I think I have as a look forward to drinking the other bottle or so I have left.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: N/A

Varieties: Pinot Noir

Food: Veal cutlets with roasted potatoes and vegetables.

Colour: Medium crimson in colour.

Nose: This wine shows vibrant cherry and plum fruits with a hint of spice.

Palate:

This 2008 Cabernet Merlot displays lovely Rich, soft berry flavours with hints of cinnamon, subtle oak and soft, Fine tannins.

Background:

Nova Vita Wines is a small family business, run by Mark and Joanne Kozned. The name Nova Vita was chosen for as it reflected the beginning of their new life in the production of premium wines from their small family-owned vineyard.The 2009 Mad Russian Pinot Noir is a testimony to George Kozned, Mark's father. The winemaking is a collaborative effort between winemaker Peter Leske and Mark Kozned, with Peter's two decades of experience with one of the Adelaide Hills most renowned wineries providing the platform for the production of premium cool climate wines.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased directly from Cellermasters online in a 6 pack of different Pinot Noir bottles for around $90 or so. Also have seen on there website that it is available as a dozen as well for about $180.

Symphony Hill Wines White Serenade 2008

Review of Wine:

Symphony Hill Wines are unknown to most but on my first trip out to the Granite Belt I stopped in at a local bottle shop and decided to look at their local selection of wines. I happened to pick up a bottle from Symphony which I really enjoyed that night. Since then I have enjoyed quite a few bottles and always enjoy the chance to stop in at their cellar door for a tasting. Now my partner isn’t much of a red wine drinker like I am so she prefers to enjoy a white wine which is a little sweeter but this can be hard to find as some are just too sweet. On opening this bottle it has a lovely aroma to it and is nice and smooth to drink. The wine also has a lovely balance of sweetness which pleased my partner and myself which is hard to achieve in a sweeter wine.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: 2012

Varieties: N/A

Food: N/A

Colour: N/A

Nose: N/A

Palate:

A German style medium sweet wine. A bunch of flowers sprinkled with honey! Beautiful spices and floral notes fill the mouth. Gorgeous with desserts, cheese platters and curries or sipped while enjoying a bubble bath!

Background:

Symphony Hill Wines is a family-owned boutique winery located in the cool climate Ballandean highlands of Queensland's Granite Belt. Ewen and Elissa Macpherson bought the old table grape and orchard property in 1996 after falling in love with the area and its potential for premium wine production, and in partnership with Ewen's parents Bob and Jill Macpherson have developed the vineyard to its present high standard. Symphony Hill Wines is a family focussed venture with, at one stage, four generations of the family living on the property. Ewen's parents, Bob and Jill Macpherson, moved from the Sunshine Coast and are now living on the vineyard enjoying an idyllic retirement. Ewen has completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Viticulture and found the information gained in his studies invaluable in establishing the vineyard to produce ultra-premium quality from the first vintage. Ewen is Managing Director and focuses his efforts on distribution of their divine wines to top restaurants. Elissa is Marketing Director and is responsible for label design, cellar door presentation and overall promotional activities. Their children, James (9), Hamish (6) and Zara (3) are responsible for making their parents' tasks even more challenging! Symphony Hill's winemaker and vineyard manager, Mike Hayes, has also studied Viticulture and is a third generation viticulturalist in the Granite Belt area. His links with the property go back to his childhood where he had his first kiss on the property's tennis court! Mike's proudest achievement to date is making our 2003 Reserve Shiraz which became Queensland's first ever gold medal winner at the 2005 Sydney Royal Wine Show. Symphony Hill specialises in high quality wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Verdelho, Chardonnay and Viognier grapes proudly grown on the estate.

Alcohol: 13%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased directly from Symphony Hill Wines directly which is out at Stanthorpe for around $15 a bottle. Can also be purchased online from there website and a few select bottle shops around Brisbane seem to stock them.

Robert Channon Wines CASANOVA'S STORM VINTAGE PORT 2004

Review of Wine:

Firstly I have to say that I quite enjoyed this port during the taste testing at the cellar door but was very disappointed after having a glass or two after dinner one winters night. Compared to the other bottles of port we purchased on the same trip this port wasn't smooth at all and I felt the oak taste wasn't strong enough to balance the sweetness if the shiraz grapes. I do love there wines but can't say I will be purchasing port from them again.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: N/A

Varieties: Shiraz

Food: N/A

Colour: Rich light red with brown shadows

Nose: A pleasant light oak aroma

Palate: A fine vintage port with rich fruit characters and delicate spirit

Background:

This fine vintage port was made entirely from specially selected shiraz grapes grown at our Granite Belt vineyards. It was aged in old oak barrels for two years before bottling. The port is named in honour of there horse Casanova who was saved from certain death by the lucky arrival of a thunderstorm.

Alcohol: 17.5%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased directly from Robert Channon Wines Vineyard which is out at Stanthorpe for $20. Can also be purchased online from there website.

CASTLE GLEN VINEYARD 2005 VINTAGE CABERNET PORT

Review of Wine:

Our first experience with this port wasn't overly great. We visited the vineyard firstly to see the actual castle they have among the vineyards. After looking around we decided to taste test a few ports and settled on the 2005 Vintage Cabernet Port although at the time we didn't think much of this but this may have been due to brushing our tenth 30 minutes before tasting and also being before midday. To our pleasure surprise on opening this port one night at home for a night cap it really hit the spot. The port is extremely smooth and seems to have a really natural taste and Castle Glens approach to using nothing but 100% natural produce pays off.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: N/A

Varieties: Cabernet

Food: N/A

Colour: Rich light red with brown shadows

Nose: N/A

Palate: Lovely sweet taste which doesn't over power and really smooth taste.

Background:

All Castle Glen Vineyards Wines are 100% manufactured and produced in Queensland at our property on the Granite Belt. Our Stanthorpe Wines, Ports and Wine Products are 100% Natural, Chemical Free and Preservative Free! Great care is taken in harvesting and processing our wonderful grapes. They are all hand picked and transported carefully to our processing plant. The grapes are then squeezed by a unique press. This grape press is the only one of its kind in Australia. It is more like the traditional methods of old. If great care is taken in the harvesting and production process the use of sulphur dioxide or any other sulphites is not needed. Wonderful, natural, sulphur free wine is the result. At Castle Glen we do not add other nasty chemicals to our wine like tannins or colouring. There are no additives to change or modify the wine in any way. Many wine companies are using a cocktail of chemicals to make wines taste and look more appealing. Sulphur dioxide and other sulphur products are not the only chemicals added to todays wines. Every year in our lives is different. So to it is with wine. There is no need to laden wines with chemicals or preservatives if great care is taken in growing, harvesting and production. Mass produced wine has become a mish-mash of preservatives, colours and flavours. It might be said that sometime you would be safer eating a bright red candy. That this could very well contain less chemicals and irritants that your glass of wine. Where have the days gone where wine was just made from grapes?

Alcohol: 18%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased directly from the Castle Glen Vineyard which is out at Stanthorpe (Yes they really do have a castle) for around $20 but can't quite remember. This port seems hard to find as isn't available from your local bottle shop or online discount liquor store. Castle Glen has an online ordering option but can't even see the port available there either.

OLD CAVES ARMCHAIR PORT

Review of Wine:

Quite a pleasant port to drink. Isn't the best port or worst we have ever tried but would purchase again specially at the price we paid. Can't remember but not a bad deal at all or at least drinking it had us convinced. We tried this port on a weekend away and it was second out of the three we tried in terms of smoothness. Without the discount I would suggest maybe the Robert Channon Port we tasted the same weekend as think it is a little better value then the Old Caves Port. We have enjoyed this port even before or during dinner when you feel like trying something different so is great for any occasion.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: N/A

Varieties: N/A

Food: Serve this port with your favourite desserts and coffee.

Colour: N/A

Nose: N/A

Palate:

This is our most famous port. It is a five to six year old Tawny Port style. The Armchair Port has a slight chocolate overtone, soft, smooth and silky. Serve this port with your favourite desserts and coffee.

Background:

Situated on the New England Highway, just north of Stanthorpe, Old Caves specialises in producing “everyday” wines, non-vintage styles that are inexpensive enough for people to enjoy on a regular basis. A range of vintage wines are also produced at the winery. We are one of the smaller, commercial wineries in the Granite Belt area. Old Caves has grape planting covering 12 acres, including varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, White Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. We also have contract growers to fulfil all our grape variety needs.

Alcohol: 16.5 %

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased directly from Old Caves Winery on a weekend away. Can't remember exactly what we paid but we purchased a range of wines and the guy gave us a nice discount. Can be purchased from the cellar door directly or online at $22.50 a bottle. Have done a quick search online and can't seem to find any discount wine stores selling it.

ROBERT CHANNON WINES SINGING LAKE CHARDONNAY VERDELHO 2007

Review of Wine:

A great wine which has a nice balance of flavors. Is very versatile as can be enjoyed at lunch as we have on many occasions (Have purchased a few bottles) while we have also taken as a BYO bottle to the local Indian restaurant. We find it a beautiful wine which can be enjoyed by wine lovers and the not so big wine drinks as offers that balance of fruit without being overly sweet.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until:

Varieties: Chardonnay and Verdelho

Food: Excellent aperatif that also works well with spicy foods

Colour: Clear yellow

Nose: Lovely fruity aromas with a hint of citrus and peach

Palate:

Our very popular blend of Chardonnay and Verdelho. Fresh citrus and peach aromas lead into a medium bodied wine and medium sweet palate but still fresh, balanced with good acidityand fruit. A favourite wine for summer lunches.

Background:

Robert Channon Wines is producing some of Australia’s finest Verdelho, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon from its family-owned winery and vineyard in the Granite Belt district of Queensland. All of our wine is made at our winery from grapes grown in our cool climate vineyard at an elevation of about 950 metres.

Alcohol: 12%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased direct from the vineyard on a weekend away in the Granite Belt for $14.50 a bottle. Can also be purchased directly from there website. Also did see on the Wine Experience website for $13.05 a bottle when purchased as a case.