Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from Margaret River, the Margaret River wine region in Australia, & more.

2016 Torbreck RunRig, Australia, Barossa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$177.00USD

This is a blend of 97% Shiraz (Syrah) and 3% Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  Thee nose is great with boysenberries, blueberries, slight dark chocolate, dust and char.  Full bodied.  Very firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is both huge and tight.  Black berries, black currants, some blueberries, a bit of alcohol with underlying char.  This is deep and almost impenetrable.  Long finish.  This is outstanding today, but a huge and unwieldly wine.  Give it another five to ten more years in the cellar and it will flirt with a top score.  If opening now, give

Hardy’s 2019 Tintara Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Finding a value wine is not an easy task and a solid Cabernet in particular is even more risky. But this Cabernet offers light blueberry, huckleberry, Rainer cherry, plum, raspberry, pink peppercorn, a wisp of mocha and light vanilla touches. The tannins and acidity are mild, making this very drinkable from the start. Hardy is a name well known in Australia, having over 150 years of winemaking behind them, and their Tintara vineyard. This relatively new introduction to the U.S. offers an enjoyable Cabernet from a trusted producer at a reasonable price. ORIGIN: McLaren Vale, Australia.

2016 Penfolds Shiraz RWT Bin 798, Australia, Barossa Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$158.00USD

Purple/garnet in color, magenta at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, sandalwood, slight black pepper and roasted herbs.  Firm tannins.  Lovely texture.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with spice and some char.  Long finish.  Still youthful although progressing right along.  Drink over the next ten or fifteen years.  Great on its own, this worked well with roasted veggies.  Expensive but not crazy for the quality.  

2020 Toby Bekkers Syrah, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

A friend brought this back from his vacation to Australia.  My first time trying this producer.  It is very distinct but comes off more Cote Rotie than what I think of when I think Aussie Shiraz.  And, for that matter, why isn't it labelled Shiraz?  The label calls it Syrah.  In any event, an excellent wine if still young.  Purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, boysenberries, char, roasted meats and herbs, and slight black olive.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is dense but its easy to see to quality.  Tasted over a couple

2015 Penfolds Shiraz RWT Bin 798, Australia, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$119.00USD

Beautiful showing.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, anise, blueberries, spice, cedar and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is still young but showing a lot of depth and some complexity.  Delicious.  Black raspberries, blueberries, coffee and anise with underlying char.  Great energy and liveliness.  Long finish.  Drink over the next thirty years.  Great on its own, this would be a nice accompaniment to a standing Rib Roast.  

2002 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz, Australia, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This was purchased on release for around $15 and has been in my cellar ever since.  Really impressive showing.  Another wine that Robert Parker nailed!  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is expressive and very nice.  Black raspberries, espresso, smoked meats and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  Plenty of black raspberry fruit with some complexity.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Drinking well at age 21, and while it probably can go another ten years, I would drink sooner than later.  This would work well with Roasted ro

2015 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper, Australia, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$68.00USD

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, char, and coffee grounds.  On the palate, lots of spices along with black raspberries and cedar.  Medium tannins. Nice texture.  Long finish.  This is drinking young but nicely.  It may still improve but should drink well for another twelve to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with grilled lamb chops.  

2019 Nine Stones Shiraz, Australia, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

A different take on Barossa Shiraz that was not helped by being tasted with a bunch of typical brawny Barossa Shiraz.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries with slight white pepper and a bit of cedar.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Boysenberry fruit with a slight cocoa note.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with grilled or roasted meats of vegetables.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

2020 Hewitson Shiraz Ned & Henry's. Australia, Barossa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

Purple in color with some ruby  hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is a bit lighter with black raspberries, white pepper and slight clay.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberries with some char.  Good finish.  This is a bit lighter in style and makes for easy drinking over the next five to eight years.  A nice wine with a  burger.  

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