tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68730008837190493752024-03-14T04:31:45.498+11:00OUTSTANDING WINES .... beers and anything else I feel like raving aboutThe Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.comBlogger561125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-53518893950948306962020-02-10T16:17:00.003+11:002020-02-10T16:17:54.923+11:00Taylors Estate Label 2018 Shiraz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZawoVtYvNE/XkDnOY44ivI/AAAAAAAADD8/jsTIcvudRdwbRhPFOHvuI0O4foKWnW1kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Taylors%2B2018%2BShiraz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZawoVtYvNE/XkDnOY44ivI/AAAAAAAADD8/jsTIcvudRdwbRhPFOHvuI0O4foKWnW1kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Taylors%2B2018%2BShiraz.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I reckon that anytime you can pick this up under $15 it's a bargain. That goes for the rest of this impressive range.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a very fine everyday drinking shiraz that ticks all the boxes. We enjoyed quite a few bottles of its outstanding 2017 vintage predecessor but at this stage of its evolution this falls just a little short. It's also overshadowed by the currently available cabernet in the range. As well as the big brother Jaraman 2018 at $20.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4/5 is arguably a harsh score so I look forward to revisiting it in a few months time</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VINTAGE: 2018 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $13.20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Dan Murphy
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 4/5</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-82993032209202833402020-02-09T15:44:00.000+11:002020-02-09T15:44:00.849+11:00WOW! Taylors 2016 Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YKX7lI9e4I/Xj-M_UziJ0I/AAAAAAAADDg/Bza2QJp9LcEr2qRIpf4kbeijNHF43-2KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Taylors%2BJaraman%2B2016%2BCabernet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YKX7lI9e4I/Xj-M_UziJ0I/AAAAAAAADDg/Bza2QJp9LcEr2qRIpf4kbeijNHF43-2KgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Taylors%2BJaraman%2B2016%2BCabernet.JPG" width="143" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I live for those moments when I taste a wine and the only rational response is WOW! Sometimes they are quite pricey but the quality still means they represent value. You can't afford to drink them often and save the few bottles you have for special occasions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS-hWtqNFfc/Xj-M_3ze8MI/AAAAAAAADDk/fbEeF1XSC8AkxDDdmVA4Sun3GS82xt13wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Taylors%2BJaraman%2B2016%2BCabernet%2BBL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS-hWtqNFfc/Xj-M_3ze8MI/AAAAAAAADDk/fbEeF1XSC8AkxDDdmVA4Sun3GS82xt13wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Taylors%2BJaraman%2B2016%2BCabernet%2BBL.JPG" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a mere $20 this wine is a WOW! Dangerously drinkable and ridiculously affordable. OK it's not its regular price but I reckon anything under $40 would make it a bargain. It's one of those reds I just want to hold in my mouth and roll around the tongue. There's plenty of acid for a four year old red, lashings of cassis fruit and layers of complex flavours. The French oak is a little overt but that will calm down over time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my new life's ambitions is to taste this in 10 years time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VINTAGE: 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: A South Australian blend from the Clare Valley and Coonawarra</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $20 on a Members special</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Dan Murphy
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me [should be higher]</span><br />
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-70626122503550677302020-02-08T20:28:00.000+11:002020-02-08T20:28:03.050+11:00Buy one get one free at Liquorland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17GDZ85UiYU/Xj5_BSzeQHI/AAAAAAAADDU/gfKJzoi6LrQIND3mRizEIi-S9fBPr0w9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mildara%2B2018%2BLimestone%2BCoast%2Breds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17GDZ85UiYU/Xj5_BSzeQHI/AAAAAAAADDU/gfKJzoi6LrQIND3mRizEIi-S9fBPr0w9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Mildara%2B2018%2BLimestone%2BCoast%2Breds.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mildara
Limestone Coast 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mildara
Limestone Coast 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both are $12 a bottle on short term promotion, both 14.5% a/v and both a highly recommended 5/5 rating from me at this price</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The retailer claims these are normally $24 a bottle. They're not quite worth that but at $12 we thought they were very worthy of whacking a dozen of each in the cellar. Which is what we did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not surprisingly both are cabernet dominant with plenty of blackberry fruit on a firm mid weight palate. </span><br />
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-83785939110695453932020-02-08T18:02:00.000+11:002020-02-08T18:03:58.897+11:00Highly recommended at this price<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBqPCo_q9dQ/Xj5cWB9nZeI/AAAAAAAADDE/XDATa7USgi8tHt7SkuGMYKOZ9pJYNa8RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Stonyfell%2B2018%2BShiraz%2BCabernet%2BFL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBqPCo_q9dQ/Xj5cWB9nZeI/AAAAAAAADDE/XDATa7USgi8tHt7SkuGMYKOZ9pJYNa8RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Stonyfell%2B2018%2BShiraz%2BCabernet%2BFL.JPG" width="220" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">STONYFELL 2018 "THE CELLARS" SHIRAZ CABERNET</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stonyfell started off as an Adelaide winery in 1859. Through numerous ownership changes it seemed to have been inexorably linked to the Barossa winery Saltram Those days have changed with Saltram being part of the Treasury Wine Estates empire and Stonyfell looking like it's owned by Woolworths. [The hint here is that all the website listed stockists are Woolworths retailers]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometime in its history Stonyfell wines started being made from Langhorne Creek fruit and tasting this I'm delighted this tradition remains. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rich and voluptuous this is a serious red wine and obviously Woolies want to clear some stock by offering it on a "Buy one, get one free" deal. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqbTDzF69CU/Xj5cUUlRPKI/AAAAAAAADDA/-CutXnXvgcUbzCGua2Y3y-DPo5aaNEZXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2018%2BStonyfell%2BShiraz%2BCabernet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqbTDzF69CU/Xj5cUUlRPKI/AAAAAAAADDA/-CutXnXvgcUbzCGua2Y3y-DPo5aaNEZXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/2018%2BStonyfell%2BShiraz%2BCabernet.JPG" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">VINTAGE: 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">REGION: Langhorne Creek , South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A/V: 14.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PRICE: $8.50 on a buy one get one free promotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">FROM: Dan Murphy
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 at $8.50</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-31099959426773760712020-02-08T15:54:00.000+11:002020-02-08T15:54:52.008+11:00Tough Times in the Oz Wine Industry No.1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">This is an email I received from the Chief Winemaker at the Hunter Valley's iconic Mount Pleasant winery. It has a cellar door that's in my TOP 5 to visit. Spectacular wines at very reasonable prices . </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">Living so close we've visited the Hunter three times over the last few months showing visiting family and friends around. So we've experienced the smoke and witnessed the struggling vines.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">On top of all that the parent company McWilliams recently went into receivership. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-size: 15px;">"As most of you would be very aware, Australia has been gripped by the worst bushfires in living memory. Many parts of Australia have suffered, with people losing their homes, their livelihoods and worse still, the loss of life. This is an absolute tragedy for all of those affected, and one which we offer our sincerest sympathies and condolences. Here in the Hunter, we were surrounded by bushfire, initially from the fires near Taree, and then closer to home with the Brokenback ranges ablaze with close to 1,000,000 hectares burnt out. With these fires smoke blanketed much of the region for nearly 3 months. Only recently have we begun to see clear skies and some much needed rain.<br /><br />The smoke that covered the region has not been great. Constant exposure over a period can result in the vines absorbing these compounds, which bind to the sugar molecules which are released upon fermentation. We have sent many samples off for testing with Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), Vintessential Laboratories and we had installed measurement devices in our Lovedale vineyard courtesy of LaTrobe University. We have also been conducting micro ferments in our lab, taking representative samples of many of our blocks and fermenting them to see if we could detect taint in the fruit before picking.<br /><br />With all the knowledge we have gathered through laboratory and sensory analysis of our Estate, Rosehill and Lovedale Vineyards, coupled with the third-party test results we have recieved, the difficult decision to not pick any grapes for Vintage 2020 has been made.<br /><br />This painstaking choice was not made lightly. If we were to pick these grapes and make wine from them, we could not guarantee the wine to be of the highest quality and of the standards we set ourselves. We have nearly a century of history at Mount Pleasant and vines almost 140 years old, and with this comes the responsibility to ensure that we uphold the highest integrity when making wine for you. We will not compromise on quality or take any unnecessary risks when it comes to this.<br /><br />Grape tests have been carried out across the whole of the Hunter Valley. While we are unsure how other producers have been affected, there are likely scenarios where there are clean grapes in other pockets of the region. We hopeful that other vineyards have been more fortunate and not have seen the levels of exposure our vineyards have. <br /><br />We look forward to seeing you in the future and trust our relationships will only strengthen with this over the coming years. Please do not hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions."</span></em></span></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #a48956;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather sans" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">- Adrian Sparks, Chief Winemaker</span></span></div>
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<tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px;" valign="middle" width="24"><a href="mailto:wineclub@mpwines.com.au" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="Email" class="CToWUd" height="24" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/AgTpLAy4FW9SH--49Q3B1wQrXo433Yy_RoNLgd_48fQXe_2Zp8bzh3f8mFikIEB47ARKChKAxNUaAvGTJmse-IK_vjalvol7HpMrdnOlqxLjQKJSSObetbAqYM39u5ftSZGw2JRAWPnuUV4bPQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/outline-gray-forwardtofriend-48.png" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: auto; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" width="24" /></a></td></tr>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-29964835896181857762020-02-04T13:21:00.000+11:002020-02-04T13:23:28.402+11:00Deleted Labels mean Huge Savings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIL2YTOZ3qY/XjjUjEPQ6bI/AAAAAAAADCg/btWRXFblVeo9yaNLklaEjr_zXomfuminQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Yalumba%2BThe%2BScribbler%2BFL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIL2YTOZ3qY/XjjUjEPQ6bI/AAAAAAAADCg/btWRXFblVeo9yaNLklaEjr_zXomfuminQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Yalumba%2BThe%2BScribbler%2BFL.JPG" width="165" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Y</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">alumba’s
“The Scribbler” label was introduced some years ago as an entry
level version of “Signature”, one of their flagships. Even so,
junior had worked itself up to a well deserved $20 retail price
before the decision was taken to delete the label. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Aldi
was given the opportunity to clear it and it’s on their shelves at
$11.99 – if it hasn’t sold out already. [I scored the final
seven at our local]. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My
advice is to grab whatever you can.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">YALUMBA
“The Scribbler” 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz $11.99 at Aldi</span></span></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCOlUq5_3ig/XjjUjTCTytI/AAAAAAAADCk/u7fHy0gJn5YEnm_qfOJDRm04rg_bVfILgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Yalumba%2BThe%2BScribbler%2BBL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCOlUq5_3ig/XjjUjTCTytI/AAAAAAAADCk/u7fHy0gJn5YEnm_qfOJDRm04rg_bVfILgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Yalumba%2BThe%2BScribbler%2BBL.JPG" width="188" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
is a Barossa blend of 62% Cabernet and 38% Shiraz in perfect balance.
Alcohol is a sensible 14%. It’s not surprisingly cabernet flavour
dominant with lovely cassis fruit character shining through with
shiraz firming up the palate structure. The wine is on the fuller
side of medium bodied with an easy five year cellaring life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: B</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">lend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Shiraz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">VINTAGE: 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">REGION: Barossa Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A/V: 14%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PRICE: $11.99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">FROM: Aldi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">RATING: 5</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">/5 from me</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-39598524059626738992019-11-18T15:00:00.000+11:002019-11-18T15:04:00.209+11:00When is half price the real price?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About now I reckon with these two Eaglehawk reds.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wandered
into the Liquorland store at Budgewoi last week and noticed they had the
Eaglehawk range at a mere $5. HALF PRICE the signage screamed! I resisted the
temptation to see which price the
quality of the wines really warranted. I yielded on Sunday when I paid a visit
to Dan Woolworths in Bankstown [I get around, you know] and saw them at $4.99. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jlsU2YLUTI/XdIXJ1jftHI/AAAAAAAADBg/ySpLKUEDdIwmeKmlQgmSkv9Gwd2ZiLrUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Eaglehawk%2BReds%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jlsU2YLUTI/XdIXJ1jftHI/AAAAAAAADBg/ySpLKUEDdIwmeKmlQgmSkv9Gwd2ZiLrUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Eaglehawk%2BReds%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="239" /></span></a><span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My decision
was rewarded at the checkout when I said “There appears to be a price war on
Eaglehawk”. She replied, with commendable corporate loyalty that someone had it
at $5 and as always her company beat it. “We always do” she emphasised with
eyes sparkling with pride. It was impossible not to respond to her enthusiasm
“Yes, you SMASHED it” thinking how fortunate I paid by card for that two cent
savings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the
wines ………….</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 105%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two I purchased were both 2018, both reedy thin and verging on transparent. One was a Shiraz, the other a Merlot. At least that's what the labels said. I suspect most cask reds offer far better quality and certainly better value.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How anyone would pay $10 for these in today's market is beyond me. Even $5 is hard to justify.</span></div>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-87266662058025920552019-11-13T13:20:00.003+11:002019-11-13T13:24:00.158+11:00It was a different world in 1977<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEYsNzoOh74/XctnJff10PI/AAAAAAAADBE/6eGpHLJS6ZglDd_hGPqI11IvPB40Mpz3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/WSBG%2BCasks%2Band%2Bflagons%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEYsNzoOh74/XctnJff10PI/AAAAAAAADBE/6eGpHLJS6ZglDd_hGPqI11IvPB40Mpz3wCEwYBhgL/s320/WSBG%2BCasks%2Band%2Bflagons%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In their second anniversay issue Wine and Spirit Buying Guide magazine reviewed red wine offered in casks and flagons. This was the time when the newly invented "bag in a box"was still struggling with problems of leaking and oxidisation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The panel tasted 110 wines - 74 flagons and 36 casks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They culled this down to just 30 flagons and just 9 casks that they considered worthy of reviewing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The top wines were: Penfolds Rose, Orlando Coolabah Burgundy, dÁrenberg Dry Red and Tyrrells Hunter River Dry Red flagons along with the Orlando Coolabah Rougolais cask. It was the time when it was sadly acceptable to label Australian wines claret and burgundy while shiraz was regularly called Hermitage</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zUIjhFX3Ng/XctnJiOK2iI/AAAAAAAADBM/tuWjvEdqWkwOpdSSCuTIfhMGIAXGS_RsACEwYBhgL/s1600/WSBG%2BCasks%2Band%2Bflagons%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zUIjhFX3Ng/XctnJiOK2iI/AAAAAAAADBM/tuWjvEdqWkwOpdSSCuTIfhMGIAXGS_RsACEwYBhgL/s320/WSBG%2BCasks%2Band%2Bflagons%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love their conclusion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The moral seems to be - buy casks for everyday drinking but buy carefully, and buy flagons whenever the situation allows"</span><br />
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-68654701716695340112019-11-06T16:10:00.001+11:002019-11-06T16:10:16.383+11:004 things you should know about Fiano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Native Italian white grape variety from Campania, Italy. It's the region surrounding Naples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Almost became extinct last century due to its low yields. It survived due to a resurgence in interest in native varieties and a recognition of its quality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Probably first introduced to Australia by Coriole's Mark Lloyd in 2005. That's McLaren Vale. Now it's all over the place with styles ranging from dry and flinty to more textural and complex. Some feature wood while others don't</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. It's characterised by loose bunches, thick skins and high natural acidity. That gives winemakers plenty of opportunity to spin their magic. </span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-72129084794156353712019-11-05T14:41:00.000+11:002019-11-05T17:19:19.006+11:00No wonder the French got upset<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We spent a week in 2018 touring around Epernay in the heart of Champagne. Each day we hopped onto a mini bus that took us to tour and taste at champagne houses I'd never heard of. Some were simply houses in villages with cellars and production facilities that must have extended under all the neighbour's houses. We wandered around Epernay where many of the larger producers offered tasting flights for around 10 euro. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWCm85N0lTM/XcDvFjL6RjI/AAAAAAAADAg/77gVfUpZzMMs0M4nCfd_nSGMG3NGonHkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1980%2B-%2BCarrington%2BChampagne%2Bad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1095" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWCm85N0lTM/XcDvFjL6RjI/AAAAAAAADAg/77gVfUpZzMMs0M4nCfd_nSGMG3NGonHkACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/1980%2B-%2BCarrington%2BChampagne%2Bad.JPG" width="438" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The number one thing I learnt is no-one can afford to produce bad champagne. The Champagne Police keep a close eye on things. Plus he price of land is so high it virtually dictates a minimum price for the stuff . And as we all know, that's not cheap. Unlike Carrington which always seemed to be available somewhere at $4.99.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I had to laugh when I came across this ad in a 1980 issue of TIME magazine. No
wonder the French got upset even though it doesn’t excuse nuclear testing in
the Pacific. Champagne is made in Champagne, not Australia or anywhere else in the world. Not even in other parts of France. Ironically a French multi national, Pernod Ricard, took ownership of the company and the brand a
few years ago. The word champagne was rightfully dropped from the label a few years prior to that. </span></span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-25582964547343112792019-11-05T12:35:00.001+11:002019-11-05T12:35:55.240+11:00New Bargain Rose From Aldi <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2JHA0NNo2E/XcDR4WjV9eI/AAAAAAAADAU/K1cDszPpYh8BPw-Yjf9z1ziPlTF1uK00ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Aldi%2BLoire%2BValley%2BCab%2BFranc%2BRose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2JHA0NNo2E/XcDR4WjV9eI/AAAAAAAADAU/K1cDszPpYh8BPw-Yjf9z1ziPlTF1uK00ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Aldi%2BLoire%2BValley%2BCab%2BFranc%2BRose.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RESERVE DE LA FAMILLE DROUET CABERNET FRANC ROSE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a new addition to Aldi's shelves and it's a beauty. It's crisp and dry with delicious fruit on the nose and palate. Palate weight is light and yet there's enough to make this a really satisfying wine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cabernet Franc is THE red grape of France's Loire Valley and used to make all types of styles from full flavoured reds to sparkling wines. And of course delicious roses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very highly recommended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Cabernet Franc</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VINTAGE: 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Loire Valley, France</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 12%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $7.99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Aldi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me
</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-2753563567711048982019-06-13T20:09:00.002+10:002019-06-13T20:09:43.797+10:00One for the red wine drinking dog lovers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIewPVGlxgM/XQIgjRZYsbI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/swWXIj34aAwUQ5UFkT064jGi2sAZ0e9vwCLcBGAs/s1600/2014%2BThe%2BLab%2BFL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIewPVGlxgM/XQIgjRZYsbI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/swWXIj34aAwUQ5UFkT064jGi2sAZ0e9vwCLcBGAs/s320/2014%2BThe%2BLab%2BFL.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE LAB 2014 LISBOA RED BLEND</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a Liquorland own label that I found last week in their Broome store. The vintage, price and origin surprised me. The fact that it was a multi blend didn't - those Portuguese just can't help themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a medium weight red in perfect condition with the promise of further cellaring rewards. It may be a little feral barnyardy for some tastes which is why I scored it a 4. I suggest grabbing a bottle and tasting it over 3 days. See what you think. You may be rushing back for more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: A quadruple blend of Castelao, Tempranillo, Shiraz and Touriga Nacional</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Lisboa, Portugal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 13%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 4/5 from me
</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-85994297943461243632019-06-13T18:57:00.003+10:002019-06-13T18:57:33.909+10:00Two Outstanding Bargains from Zilzie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two are currently on offer from Liquorland at a mere $8. And since I reckon anything under $12 for these is good value, $8 must be a bargain worth having a look at.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBoyOfHblCo/XQIPa0akWOI/AAAAAAAAC9A/39xwdQeE_24mQ_oLCYxHR0q04fQ-0XklwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017%2BZilzie%2BEstate%2BShiraz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBoyOfHblCo/XQIPa0akWOI/AAAAAAAAC9A/39xwdQeE_24mQ_oLCYxHR0q04fQ-0XklwCLcBGAs/s200/2017%2BZilzie%2BEstate%2BShiraz.JPG" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both are medium weight reds in perfect balance. The shiraz shows a little more charry oak than I'd prefer but that hasn't stopped it from picking up a gold and silver medal. The cabernet shows plenty of cassis fruit and will probably find more admirers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ZILZIE ESTATE 2017 SHIRAZ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Karadoc, NW Victoria</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 13.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 4.5/5 from me
</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxXYdDxaV8s/XQIPan_uL8I/AAAAAAAAC9E/cd0JF5IdNxEfOMAiov146wzMZLalD3OOQCEwYBhgL/s1600/2017%2BZilzie%2BEstate%2BCabernet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxXYdDxaV8s/XQIPan_uL8I/AAAAAAAAC9E/cd0JF5IdNxEfOMAiov146wzMZLalD3OOQCEwYBhgL/s200/2017%2BZilzie%2BEstate%2BCabernet.JPG" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ZILZIE ESTATE 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Karadoc, NW Victoria</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-74161582877715568542019-06-13T17:32:00.002+10:002019-06-13T17:32:28.345+10:00What would Dr Lindeman have thought of this nonsense?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1LDE-AFr0U/XQH72A9XiSI/AAAAAAAAC8w/NWieTSRXuAMfE-CK336MtyoeMXrwUUqvACLcBGAs/s1600/2018%2BLindemans%2BGC%2BShiraz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1LDE-AFr0U/XQH72A9XiSI/AAAAAAAAC8w/NWieTSRXuAMfE-CK336MtyoeMXrwUUqvACLcBGAs/s320/2018%2BLindemans%2BGC%2BShiraz.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LINDEMAN'S 2018 GENTLEMAN'S SELECTION RULE NO. 10 LISTEN UP BATCH N0. 5 2018 SHIRAZ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope I've put everything in the right order but this is a wine you need to drink with an iPhone rather than a glass. Turn to the back label and do this, scan that and experience something or other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The front label is an absolute nonsense but then so many are nowadays. They're coming from big producers who need to keep their marketing staff occupied. And despite the addition of fortified wine it's an OK drink at $12. It's chunky and solid with absolutely no dazzle. You may enjoy it but don't pay anymore than this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: South Eastern Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $12 discounted from $22</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 3/5 from me at $12</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-2640659309463639262019-06-12T16:45:00.002+10:002019-06-12T16:45:28.158+10:00This wine is an absolute crime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyM4r9TgZUg/XQCfTq1ihWI/AAAAAAAAC8g/rduF8os3hFMVk3qP9LPz9f919wKSp6OdwCLcBGAs/s1600/2018%2B19%2BCrimes%2BThe%2BUprising%2BRed%2BWine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyM4r9TgZUg/XQCfTq1ihWI/AAAAAAAAC8g/rduF8os3hFMVk3qP9LPz9f919wKSp6OdwCLcBGAs/s320/2018%2B19%2BCrimes%2BThe%2BUprising%2BRed%2BWine.JPG" width="239" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19 CRIMES "THE UPRISING" 2018 RED WINE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This aberration is on a heavily reduced price promotion this week at Liquorland. Don't be tempted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big hook on the label is that its been "Aged 30 days in rum barrels". Now who thought that was a good idea? The back label reveals that "a portion"copped that treatment and that's the only detail about the wine that appears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I regularly bang on about balance in a wine. It's important. The only reason to buy this is to see what I'm not looking for. It's one dimensional with jammy sweetness that made me think of McGuigan's Black Label on steriods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Who knows? Who cares?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: South Eastern Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 12%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $12 marked down from $18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 1/5 from me
</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-63876803916355011052019-06-12T16:19:00.002+10:002019-06-12T16:21:55.395+10:00Another Outstanding Winner from Taylors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1fBBemgERI/XQCZEfnH8gI/AAAAAAAAC8U/cPEWqSNFEo4ZdPZ_ljlFtn13SOZ15m3CQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017%2BTaylors%2BCabernet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1fBBemgERI/XQCZEfnH8gI/AAAAAAAAC8U/cPEWqSNFEo4ZdPZ_ljlFtn13SOZ15m3CQCLcBGAs/s320/2017%2BTaylors%2BCabernet.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TAYLORS 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like the others in this range this wine suffers from huge price fluctuations. It's also a strong buy recommendation at this price and below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And like the Shiraz it's a beautifully balanced mid weight red but featuring French oak instead of American.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me at this price</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-55618149930992217852019-06-04T13:42:00.000+10:002019-06-04T13:42:25.482+10:00JIM BARRY WINES, CLARE VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwF4qjfdfjc/XPXoUZ-gkoI/AAAAAAAAC8I/5q1DvnjRVgE3Awt7q3oDVkxXW28cjGBiACLcBGAs/s1600/2019-4-15%2BClare%2BValley%2B%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwF4qjfdfjc/XPXoUZ-gkoI/AAAAAAAAC8I/5q1DvnjRVgE3Awt7q3oDVkxXW28cjGBiACLcBGAs/s320/2019-4-15%2BClare%2BValley%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Jim Barry Cellar Door is an absolute MUST to visit. For me they are to Riesling in the Clare Valley, like Tyrrells are to Semillon in the Hunter. Their tasting lineup is more a priceless education than an enticement to buy. With extraordinary generosity they offer the opportunity to taste their current vintages, from a variety of diverse riesling vineyards, with old vintages from the same vineyards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their reds are equally impressive with a $40 offer on the McCrae Wood impossible to resist. You''ll also be offered a taste of back vintages. It really is a WOW experience</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll have no trouble finding their 2018 Watervale Riesling pretty much everywhere. It's the one with the distintictive W label and the 2018 features a substantial amount of gold bling</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcDnkukzKVU/XPXn66FBp2I/AAAAAAAAC8A/VvK1ohS_i0YY-9GyM2AGWa8GQEl7OTfOQCLcBGAs/s1600/2018%2BJim%2BBarry%2BRiesling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcDnkukzKVU/XPXn66FBp2I/AAAAAAAAC8A/VvK1ohS_i0YY-9GyM2AGWa8GQEl7OTfOQCLcBGAs/s200/2018%2BJim%2BBarry%2BRiesling.JPG" width="149" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Riesling, 2018 vintage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Watervale,Clare Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 12.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $20 maximum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: just about everywhere</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me
</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-5106760797287830412019-06-04T13:14:00.000+10:002019-06-04T13:14:12.164+10:00AT THIS PRICE IT GETS TOP MARKS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TAYLORS 2017 SHIRAZ</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_eQZxHHglQ/XPXh4ivUdUI/AAAAAAAAC70/Taqewgzn3jAexk6Ig3uxU9Pe63i9doIXQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017%2BTaylors%2BShiraz%2BFL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_eQZxHHglQ/XPXh4ivUdUI/AAAAAAAAC70/Taqewgzn3jAexk6Ig3uxU9Pe63i9doIXQCLcBGAs/s320/2017%2BTaylors%2BShiraz%2BFL.JPG" width="196" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The severe market price variations of this wine distract from how good it really is. The cellar door price is $20 and I've seen it as low as $11 in the last year. Dan Woolworths have it at $16 at the moment while Liquorland pip them by a dollar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At $15 this is a very worthy red to either drink now or cellar. There's lashings of flavour on a rich mid weight palate. The slightly overt American oak can be forgiven at this price plus it will settle down with time. Well worth a try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 14%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 5/5 from me
</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-76403781990480054932019-06-04T11:13:00.000+10:002019-06-04T11:22:17.844+10:00HALF PRICE SPECIAL! ... REALLY?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VT2OFpYkY54/XPXFN_ea91I/AAAAAAAAC7o/kdgfTmk5hvgIWF3kUzcf7epjbiNmNVJ2wCLcBGAs/s1600/2018%2BAtiru%2BSauvignon%2BBlanc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VT2OFpYkY54/XPXFN_ea91I/AAAAAAAAC7o/kdgfTmk5hvgIWF3kUzcf7epjbiNmNVJ2wCLcBGAs/s320/2018%2BAtiru%2BSauvignon%2BBlanc.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ATIRU 2018 MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Liquorland have this on their shelves marked down from $22* to $11. Is it worth $22? No way. Is it worth $11? Definitely but only if you like the style which is far removed from the popular mainstream Marlborough taste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is quite textural and full bodied with the palate weight you're more likely to find in New Zealand Pinot Gris. If you like those you'll rate this much higher than I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">REGION: Marlborough, New Zealand</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">A/V: 12.5% </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">PRICE: $11</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">F</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">ROM: Liquorland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">RATING: 3/5</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">* What annoys me about this most of all is that this is a Liquorland controlled label. So they are determining, what appears to me to be, a vastly inflated regular shelf price. The market isn't setting the price, they are. </span></div>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-81411150940585825452019-06-03T14:24:00.001+10:002019-06-03T14:24:16.939+10:00Our first taste of 2019 and it's a beauty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> JACOB'S CREEK 2019 RIESLING</span><div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfgCDxbXHUE/XPSgvUZly9I/AAAAAAAAC7U/Re2rKm5JTVEGqx-EZfMk3Y9DuWL20CjMACLcBGAs/s1600/2019%2BJacobs%2BCreek%2BRiesling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfgCDxbXHUE/XPSgvUZly9I/AAAAAAAAC7U/Re2rKm5JTVEGqx-EZfMk3Y9DuWL20CjMACLcBGAs/s320/2019%2BJacobs%2BCreek%2BRiesling.JPG" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a dazzling little crisp dry white that I picked this up at Liquorland in Broome for just $8. I then did a search and discovered Dan Murphy have it and the range on at a mere $5,95. That really is ridiculous but make sure you are buying the new vintage. It's very possible they may still have the 2018 on their shelves. I haven't tasted that but it would be unlikely it's better than this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">A/V: 11.7% </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">PRICE: $5.95 - $8</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">FROM: Dan Murphy/ Liquorland</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">RATING: 5/5 from me at anything under $10</span></span></div>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-87610522834766513542019-05-08T16:23:00.000+10:002019-05-08T16:23:19.894+10:00TAYLORS WINES, CLARE VALLEY SOUTH AUSTRALIA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're planning a visit to a wine area make sure you visit one of the big producers. They set a benchmark against which the smaller winemakers can be evaluated. Sometimes the big guys surprise you and often they disappoint. Which is why we had to visit Taylors and we are so glad we did. This family owned winery has achieved so much in 50 years and with what we tasted the future looks outstanding. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB3VZSlfd9A/XNJzzp-Ub3I/AAAAAAAAC68/X9cBbu5awXQFMdCcrDpaZRoqLkTCCFiRgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB3VZSlfd9A/XNJzzp-Ub3I/AAAAAAAAC68/X9cBbu5awXQFMdCcrDpaZRoqLkTCCFiRgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most wine drinkers would be familiar with their Estate Label featuring the sea horse logo. Sadly it's become a label at the mercy of the volume retailers who manipulate the market with huge variations in price. Their Jaraman range is far more obscure but even that is currently on some retail shelves for 60% of their cellar door price. The vintages we tasted were outstanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Cellar Door visit highlight was tasting their two ranges that aren't on retail shelves: the TWP and Taylor Made Range. Contact the winery for these on 08 8849 1118 or email cdsales@taylorswines.com.au.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We tasted a lot of wines. Here are the ones that scored the 5/5 rating from us. It's a long list with their cellar door prices. Be careful of the vintages, the ones listed are what we tasted. Insist on those.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ESTATE RANGE [$20] lowest I've seen in the last 12 months is $11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2018 Sauvignon Blanc [Adelaide Hills] </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2018 Tempranillo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JARAMAN RANGE [$25 for chardonnay, $32 for reds] Currently $20 to $23 at Dan Murphy, but check the vintages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Chardonnay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Pinot Noir [Yarra Valley]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Shiraz </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2016 Cabernet Sauvignon [Coonawarra/Clare Valley]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TAYLORS WINEMAKER'S PROJECT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Riesling $25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2015 Tasmania Pinot Noir $40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Shiraz $25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Cabernet Sauvignon $25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TAYLOR MADE [$25]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2016 Pinot Noir [Adelaide Hills]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Malbec</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 Shiraz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 BDX [Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet Franc blend]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-297862013838002532019-03-21T16:41:00.000+11:002019-03-21T17:02:14.056+11:00Nobody says it better than Bill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even though it was the middle of vintage we were fortunate enough to score a private tasting with owner Bill Shrapnel [thank you Leigh]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The passion he has for his block of paradise a kilometer above sea level is best expressed in his own words:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">https://www.colmarestate.com.au/the-inspiration/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We tasted nine wines and I scored eight of them at my maximum score. I'd recommend them as "must tastes" to everyone. The star is probably his riesling but then again his gewurztraminer is possibly the most perfectly balanced I've ever tasted. Then there's his Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc which are all outstanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Colmar Estate is at 790 Pinnacle Rd, Orange NSW</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ph 0419 977 270</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">contact@colmarestate.com.au</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cellar door 1030 to 1700 Sat and Sun. Other times by appointment </span></div>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-4490119137008530312019-03-21T15:57:00.001+11:002019-03-21T17:02:37.523+11:00A MUST visit Cellar Door in Orange NSW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rowlee produce a small range of outstanding premium wines at high altitude in Orange. As dazzling as their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay are, their 2018 Arneis really stood out for me. It's as good as I've tasted anywhere in the world. It's a delicate, yet powerful dry white with a tantalising perfumed nose that follows through on the palate. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12CrxAQS148/XJMZSXy2fJI/AAAAAAAAC6I/OWsI26KdTVQRKbGjYjdCeDT18Mf1uYkowCLcBGAs/s1600/2019-3-6%2BOrange%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12CrxAQS148/XJMZSXy2fJI/AAAAAAAAC6I/OWsI26KdTVQRKbGjYjdCeDT18Mf1uYkowCLcBGAs/s320/2019-3-6%2BOrange%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not a huge fan of the Fume Blanc style but Rowlee's 2017 is talented winemaking with the perfect marriage of fruit and oak which raises it well above a mere wooded sauvignon blanc. On top of that you'll love the cellar door experience. Wonderful hosts who are passionate about their contribution to establishing Orange as one of the premium wine regions in Australia.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check for cellar door opening times plus they do lunch by prior arrangement</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19 Lake Canobolas Rd Orange NSW 2800</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">info@rowleewines.com.au</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ph 02 6365 3047</span></div>
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-22814205626018052832018-12-26T17:26:00.005+11:002018-12-26T17:26:56.455+11:00BROUGHT TO YOU BY MARKETING<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19 CRIMES 2017 RED BLEND</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpu_b-WkiCM/XCMe5taAyiI/AAAAAAAAC40/Jyjnl_i0e0whpl60FF8IEweih-H_oaU0QCLcBGAs/s1600/19%2BCrimes%2BFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tpu_b-WkiCM/XCMe5taAyiI/AAAAAAAAC40/Jyjnl_i0e0whpl60FF8IEweih-H_oaU0QCLcBGAs/s320/19%2BCrimes%2BFL.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vso3pMtAqEA/XCMe5t-yE_I/AAAAAAAAC4w/FhLUDlQaV7c61UroSEw15zKBDDUOdHVAACLcBGAs/s1600/19%2BCrimes%2BBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1336" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vso3pMtAqEA/XCMe5t-yE_I/AAAAAAAAC4w/FhLUDlQaV7c61UroSEw15zKBDDUOdHVAACLcBGAs/s200/19%2BCrimes%2BBL.jpg" width="166" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I first saw this label in the UK, earlier this year, dismissing it as a standard stereotype that was only missing a kangaroo. It was considerably more expensive than the $10 I've just paid, which was a low enough cost to tempt me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a pleasant surprise with a jammy mid weight palate in perfect balance. The wine is so much better than the silly nonsense on the label.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Not specified</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Not specified but probably some Barossa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 13.5% </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $9.90</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Dan Murphy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 4.5/5 from me at this price</span></div>
The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6873000883719049375.post-46290867123732141342018-12-26T17:14:00.001+11:002018-12-26T17:14:24.084+11:00IT'S JUST A BIT TIRED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGReLQXSqFM/XCMbwekS_GI/AAAAAAAAC4g/QRutIZqfGmkBSvo0AffrsM2U1EEXhbCjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Yallingup%2BSSB%2BFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGReLQXSqFM/XCMbwekS_GI/AAAAAAAAC4g/QRutIZqfGmkBSvo0AffrsM2U1EEXhbCjgCLcBGAs/s320/Yallingup%2BSSB%2BFL.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YALLINGUP 2017 SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The problem with so many wines like this is that they need to be drunk in their year of vintage. It's perfectly drinkable, dry and austere and really starting to show it's age. It may morph into something complex but that's the risk you take.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsjRCNp94Og/XCMbwECpDLI/AAAAAAAAC4c/StjzyAQ9DAs8QwxTk1Lmn1_AW3b6dPxOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Yallingup%2BSSB%2BBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsjRCNp94Og/XCMbwECpDLI/AAAAAAAAC4c/StjzyAQ9DAs8QwxTk1Lmn1_AW3b6dPxOQCLcBGAs/s200/Yallingup%2BSSB%2BBL.jpg" width="159" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A/V: 12.5% </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PRICE: $8.90</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FROM: Dan Murphy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RATING: 3/5 from me</span><br />
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The Outstanding Winemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16052838549604800996noreply@blogger.com0