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. 

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.

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.

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.

JACOBS CREEK RESERVE SHIRAZ 2006

Review of Wine:

Firstly this wine was purchased as we were looking for a nice shiraz and noticed that it had won a few awards from different wine shows so thought it would be worth a try. Had to purchase it in a 6 pack which always has me a little worried when I haven't tried the wine before but it was well worth the purchase. The wine is incredibly smooth and a real pleasure to drink. Had a glass while marking a hardy meal in the kitchen as it was very cold and windy outside but the wine really shined once I had another glass with dinner as the plum and berry favors with a hint of pepper complemented the olives in the dish so well. I can see having quite a few great nights with this wine. Well worth the purchase I can say.

Wine Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia

Drink Until: 2016

Varieties: Shiraz

Food: An ideal accompaniment to most red meats, game and cheeses.

Colour: Deep crimson with dark red hues.

Nose: Lifted aromas of mulberry and blackberry with underlying hints of cloves and anise, balanced by spicy oak notes.

Palate:

The 2006 Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz is a full bodied wine displaying rich fruit flavours of dark berries and plums and velvety tannins. Lovely acid balance and integration of flavours result in a supple and engaging wine with a lingering finish of spice, chocolate and mocha.

Background:

In 1847, a young Bavarian immigrant by the name of Johann Gramp planted the Barossa Valley's first commercial vineyard on the banks of Jacob's Creek. Today, Johann's original cellar is still standing at Jacob's Creek. It's a testament to his enduring passion for wine. Johann's legacy instilled a simple winemaking philosophy that gave birth to one of the world's most popular wine brands. This premium, full bodied wine is an outstanding example of South Australian Shiraz, displaying an intensity of ripe plum with pepper spice, balanced by soft grape and oak tannins, leading to a lingering smooth finish. An ideal accompaniment to most red meats, game and cheeses. A wine that will develop further with cellaring.

Alcohol: 14.3%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased online from Cellermasters for around $85 per 6. At the time of order we found an online coupon which gave a $50 discount if ordered with another 6 wines so worked out to be quite a deal. Have also seen a case of 6 on Deals Direct for around $70.

LYRUP WINE COMPANY SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ 2008

Review of Wine:

Not an overly impressing wine to drink as isn't the smoothest wine. It is the kind of wine which gets better after a few glasses. Wouldn't recommend purchasing this wine unless budget is your main interest but saying this is perfectly fine if ordered in some kind of random mixed dozen. Also does have quite a nice aroma to the wine.

Wine Region: SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA

Drink Until: 2011

Varieties: Shiraz

Food: beef ragu, barbequed meats and hearty tomato dishes.

Colour: Rich dark hue

Nose: Lovely depp nose of Cherries and Black fruits

Palate:

The deep purple with garnet hues of this wine precede the vibrant redcurrant raspberry and cherry fruit notes of the wine. This medium bodied wine is fruit dominant but has some spicy tones on the palate, which comes from careful oak integration. Enjoy with Kangaroo steaks with a red currant jam, pork loin or after dinner with your favourite rich cheeses.

Background:

The grapes for this wine were sourced from Angove’s own Nanya vineyards and premium growers in the Riverland region. The grapes for this wine were picked at night to make sure that they were as cool as possible. Crushed to modern rotary fermenters the grapes were then allowed to macerate for 2 days before inoculation and fermentation. Pressed off skins 7 days later and allowed to go through the second malolactic fermentation. The wine has then had minimal handling prior to filtration for bottling.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Where to Purchase:

This was purchased in a mixed dozen of red wines from Wine Market. It can also be purchase purchased from Wine Market at $55 a case but Deal Direct also had it for $50 including free delivery.