2011 Clarendon Hills Astralis, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine review

Sadly, Shiraz from Australia has gone a bit out of style, but there are still some damn good ones. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black olives and black pepper. Full bodied. Nice texture. Light tannins. On the palate, this seems just a bit shy of maturity. Lots of black raspberry fruit, some coffee and black pepper. Long finish. While this is a big wine, it is not an ooze monster at all. Drink over the next fifteen years. This is great on its own and will work well with Lamb Stew.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2011

Current Price:

$190.00USD

Top Ten Australian Red Wines - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2001 Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage:

2001

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$180.00USD

When Marquis Phillips wines burst onto the scene around the beginning of the century, this was the flagship and quite the divisive wine. It was a poster child for the big, perhaps overblown style of Aussie Shiraz that was so popular at the time. Most loved them but many disliked the style. It was interesting to check in on this 21 years later. If you loved it then, you will still and vice-versa. Purple in color with ruby hues. Mostly clear and bright. It seems the color has faded a tad in the intervening 21 years. On the nose, this is fresh and big with black raspberries, black oliv

2011 Mollydooker Enchanted Path, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$80.00USD

This is still one of the poster boys for big, fruity Aussie wines. It can be a love it or hate it wine, but I find, as long as you know what to expect going in, this is a well made and delicious wine. A blend of 71% Shiraz and 29% Cabernet. Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, black pepper, slight dill (American oak?), and smoke. On the palate, this is rich and full bodied. Black raspberries, slight raisins with light tannins. There is some alcohol/heat on the mid-palate and finish. It is ripe and delicious and probably better on its own, but it trying

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

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

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

2017 Henry's Drive Shiraz/Cabernet, Australia, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

This is a blend of 72% Shiraz, and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia. Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper, and slight cedar. Full bodied. On the palate, there is a lot of black raspberry and black cherry fruit. Some alcohol is noticeable. It is very tasty but somewhat one dimensional. A throw-back to the Aussie Shiraz of twenty years ago. Good value if you like this style.

2011 Clarendon Hills Astralis, Australia, McLaren Vale, Wine review

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

2017 Henry's Drive Shiraz/Cabernet, Australia, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Wine Review