Reviewed: 20 May 2012

There was an interesting cross-section of styles here, with quality wines coming from both warmer and cooler regions.

Angove has turned in another stunning value wine with their Vineyard Select shiraz. Handcrafted premium wine for less than $20!

Reviewed

Shingleback – Shiraz – D Block Reserve – 2009 (17.8+) A quality wine here. Surprisingly elegant and refined, with a degree of restraint. Licorice, menthol and chocolate to the fore here. The palate is very intense, textured and layered, but it is not overblown. The quality oak has been soaked up by the fruit and the length is outstanding. Make no mistake, this is a big wine that will be at its best in 10+ years. (The style did split the panel, hence no gold medal).

Angove – Shiraz – Vineyard Select – 2010 (17.8). A traditional Australian shiraz. Intense fruit that is somewhat subdued at present. Long, fine, chewy and textured, this has real presence in the mouth. Pepper, spice and textured oak combine with ripe fruit in a well made wine that will last for a decade or two. Another outstanding bargain at $18 or less! (Most of the panel members will be putting this into their own cellars).

The Lane – Shiraz – Reunion – 2009 (17.7+). Medium-bodied and well made, this is a smart wine. Textured, though fine, fruit and oak make for a harmonious finish. Long and fine with licorice and black pepper to close. An impressive wine that will only get better in with a few years in the bottle.

Flametree – Shiraz – 2011 (17.5). Gorgeous nose! Sweet red fruits to the fore with raspberry, spice and vanillin oak. A quality wine, the palate is fragrant, though quite one-dimensional at first. This really builds in the mouth, with white pepper, licorice, menthol and spice. Expensive oak is very well done.

Voyager Estate – Shiraz – 2010 (17). Forward cherry fruit that is both attractive and of decent quality. Well handled in the winery, there is enough density to make the palate rewarding. Long, though straightforward finish. A light, more elegant style from a cooler region.

Best’s – Shiraz – Bin 1 – 2010 (17). A more savoury style that relies on gentle, savoury fruit rather than power fruit and overt oak. Refined, this has quality fruit, but the wine took a couple of days to open up and show its best. Very well made and very long, with plum and mocha notes to close. Enjoyably different in style.

Chalk Board – Shiraz – Barossa – 2009 (16.9). A pretty wine that is still very youthful. Vibrant, juicy, long and spicy, with chocolaty oak to close. I would like to try it again in a year to see how it is coming together. A bargain from Vintage Cellars.

Angove – Shiraz/Cabernet – Organic – 2010 (16.8). Thick and dense smelling, showing licorice, spice and savoury oak. Ripe and quite powerful fruit on the palate with good balance. The finish is a touch short, but otherwise, an impressive wine for the cooler months.

Rogers & Rufus – Grenache – Rose – 2011 (16.8). Very pale salmon colour more akin to a European wine. This is a very good example of the style. There are red fruits, but the overall structure and finish is savoury and drying. Complex, long and mouth-watering, this is the highest mark I have given to a Rose in a long time. This is a style ideally suited to food.

Drakesbrook – Rose – Wild Bird – 2011 (16.5). Enticing nose that is fragrant and floral. Think frangipani and orange peel with a herbaceous twist. Quite a big wine, with nicely judged palate and a somewhat savoury close.

De Bortoli – Pink Moscato – La Bossa – 2011 (16.3). Pretty. This has lovely musk and grapey fruit on the nose. The wine sparkles in the mouth with a sherbet like tingle. Refreshing and quite long, this is a great quaff. 8% alc. (A bargain at under $10).