WOW! Taylors 2016 Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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.

One of my new life's ambitions is to taste this in 10 years time.

GRAPE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2016
REGION:  A South Australian blend from the Clare Valley and Coonawarra
A/V: 14.5%
PRICE: $20 on a Members special
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 5/5 from me [should be higher]

Buy one get one free at Liquorland

Mildara Limestone Coast 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Mildara Limestone Coast 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

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

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.

Not surprisingly both are cabernet dominant with plenty of blackberry fruit on a firm mid weight palate. 

Highly recommended at this price

STONYFELL 2018 "THE CELLARS" SHIRAZ CABERNET

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]

Sometime in its history Stonyfell wines started being made from Langhorne Creek fruit and tasting this I'm delighted this tradition remains. 

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. 



GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
VINTAGE: 2018
REGION: Langhorne Creek , South Australia
A/V: 14.5%
PRICE: $8.50 on a buy one get one free promotion
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 5/5 at $8.50

Deleted Labels mean Huge Savings

Yalumba’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.

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]. My advice is to grab whatever you can.

YALUMBA “The Scribbler” 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz $11.99 at Aldi

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.

GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Shiraz
VINTAGE: 2016
REGION: Barossa Valley, South Australia
A/V: 14%
PRICE: $11.99
FROM: Aldi
RATING: 5/5 from me

Two Outstanding Bargains from Zilzie

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.

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. 

ZILZIE ESTATE 2017 SHIRAZ
REGION: Karadoc, NW Victoria
A/V: 13.5%
PRICE: $8
FROM: Liquorland
RATING: 4.5/5 from me


ZILZIE ESTATE 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
REGION: Karadoc, NW Victoria
A/V: 14%
PRICE: $8
FROM: Liquorland
RATING: 5/5 from me

Another Outstanding Winner from Taylors

TAYLORS 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

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.
And like the Shiraz it's a beautifully balanced mid weight red but featuring French oak instead of American.

REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia
A/V: 14%
PRICE: $15
FROM: Liquorland
RATING: 5/5 from me at this price

TAYLORS WINES, CLARE VALLEY SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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. 

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.

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.

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.

ESTATE RANGE [$20]  lowest I've seen in the last 12 months is $11

2018 Sauvignon Blanc [Adelaide Hills] 

2018 Tempranillo

JARAMAN RANGE [$25 for chardonnay, $32 for reds] Currently $20 to $23 at Dan Murphy, but check the vintages.

2017 Chardonnay

2017 Pinot Noir [Yarra Valley]

2017 Shiraz 

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon [Coonawarra/Clare Valley]

TAYLORS WINEMAKER'S PROJECT

2017 Riesling $25

2015 Tasmania Pinot Noir $40

2017 Shiraz $25

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon $25

TAYLOR MADE [$25]

2016 Pinot Noir [Adelaide Hills]

2017 Malbec

2017 Shiraz

2017 BDX [Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet Franc blend]

THE STUMP JUMP - brought to you by Spec Savers???

D'Arenberg's Stump Jack label and range has evolved considerably since it was introduced as a budget alternative to the iconic d'Arry's Original. So when you're trapped in the famous Eumundi Market carpark, with no red wine, there was no finer sight than this being offered at 2 for $25 at the local Thirsty Camel Bottleshop.
While the label looks like an eye chart [it comes with a back label justification] it's always the stuff inside that counts. And both really surprised me.

D'ARENBERG "THE STUMP JUMP" 2013 CABERNET MERLOT: At 5 years old I was expecting this to be a little tired. It's the complete opposite with lashings of vibrant berry fruit leaping out of a beautifully balanced, integrated palate. This is worth hunting for.
REGION: McLaren Vale
A/V: 14.4% 
PRICE: $12.50
FROM: The Thirsty Camel, Eumundi
RATING: 5/5 from me 

D'ARENBERG "THE STUMP JUMP" 2016 SHIRAZ: On Day One of tasting I thought this may just be too young. It was a little bit aggressive on the palate and fairly feral. So we tasted it over the next threed days and while it 
understandably softened it was still a wine that disappointed.
REGION: McLaren Vale
A/V: 14% 
PRICE: $12.50
FROM: The Thirsty Camel, Eumundi 
   RATING: 3/5 from me

    

JUST BUY IT

Aldi have been getting a few huge media wraps recently for their red wines. Unless I've missed it, everyone seems to have missed this one. And I reckon it's the best. This is a seamless red with plenty of berry fruit on a mid weight palate. Acid, tannin and fruit in perfect balance. Impossible to recommend highly enough


ONE ROAD 2017 CABERNET MERLOT
GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
REGION: Blend of South Australian and Victorian fruit from the King Valley
A/V: 14% 
PRICE: $6.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 5/5 from me 

QUITE DISAPPOINTING

I expect a retailer's $10 wines to be better than it's offerings 30% cheaper.The fact that this is not the case here reflects the premium that Margaret River wines command more than anything else. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the wine but nor is there anything particularly exciting.



AC BYRNE 2016 CABERNET MERLOT
GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
REGION: Margaret River, Western Australia
A/V: 14.2% 
PRICE: $9.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 3/5 from me 

CHILE TRIUMPHS IN AUSTRIA : sounds like a football game

Here's another example of a budget red being brought into a country that struggles to produce them. Terrific little wine that over delivers at this price and certainly won't offend anyone. Once again, it's way too young and with a screw cap could safely be stored for a few years.
If I lived in Austria or Germany I'd be buying at least 10 dozen of these each year. Storing for at least three years and enjoying them over the next five.

VIAJERO 2017 CHILE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
GRAPE VARIETY: Cabernet Sauvignon


REGION: Central Valley, Chile
A/V: 13% 
PRICE: 2.49 euro 
FROM: Lidl, Austria
RATING: 5/5 from me 

MORE CREDIT TO ALDI

If you're buying booze in Portugal or Spain it's daft to go past Aldi. Sure, there are gems everywhere but Aldi just have an outstanding range across all price points. Not just in wine. Their beers and spirits are equally impressive.
This is another stunning red wine to drink now or cellar. It's not a common blend but it works beautifully. It's on the upper end of medium weight with everything in perfect balance. Very highly recommended but not for the faint hearted.

FUERZA 2014 JUMILLA D.O.P.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION: Jumilla, Spain
A/V: 14.5% 
PRICE: 4.99 euro 
FROM: Aldi, Spain
RATING: 5/5 from me 

BE QUICK - I HOPE THIS IS STILL AVAILABLE

The problem of buying a whole heap of tasting wines from a sale is that it takes a while to wade through them. It's taken over 2 weeks to get to this beauty. 
The price is an absolute joke. This is a big rich fascinating red that's a little disjointed on opening but after three days reveals what a gem this will be for medium to long term cellaring.

Stop reading, get in the car and buy all they've got at this price.




SOBREIRO DE PEGOES 2016 PREMIUM VINHO TINTO

GRAPE VARIETIES: Castelao, Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION: Setubal, Portugal
A/V: 14% 
PRICE: 2.99 euro [reduced from 9.99]
FROM: Continente, Portugal
RATING: 5/5 from me 

TWO OUTSTANDING RIDICULOUS VALUE MARK DOWNS

It's easy to be sceptical about markdowns of this magnitude. Why so savage? And were they worth the original asking price. 
I don't know the answer to the first question but I can certainly answer "YES!" to the second.
These are two big, robust reds with plenty of everything. There's tannin, wood by the barrel load and lashings of complex fruit. Drink now with plenty of breathing or cellar indefinitely. 
If I lived in Portugal I'd be buying a few dozen of each.





Mula Velha 2016 Premium Red
GRAPE VARIETIES: Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouchet
REGION: Lisboa, Portugal
A/V: 13.5% 
PRICE: 2.99 euro [marked down from 10]
     FROM: Continente, Portugal
     RATING: 5/5 from me 

Rovisco Pais 2016 Premium Red
GRAPE VARIETIES: Touriga, Cabernet, Aragones [Tempranillo]
REGION: A/V: 14.5% 
PRICE: 3.89 euro [marked down from 13] 
FROM: Continente, Portugal
RATING: 5/5 from me 

TIME FOR ANOTHER ROSE CHALLENGE?

Both these are from an extensive range we found at the stunning E.Leclerc St Vincent Tyrosse. Both are dry, both have a 4.5/5 recommendation and interestingly both are blends of three different red varieties. Their biggest difference is probably geographic coming from opposite southern corners of France. 

LARCISSE 2016 ST MONT ROSE
Never have I knowingly encountered a rose made from Tannat before. I associate that variety with huge thunderous reds - from Mclaren Vale in South Australia. For what it's worth Pinenc is also known as Fer.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Tannat, Pinenc, Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION: Saint Mont, Gascgone
A/V: 12% 
PRICE: 3.95 euro 
FROM: E.Leclerc
RATING: 4.5/5 from me



CHATEAU SAINT HIPPOLYTE 2016 ROSE
From the renowned Provence in the south east comes this beauty. Very pale salmon colour and searingly dry. Won't be to everyone's taste but we loved it
GRAPE VARIETIES: Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault
REGION: Provence
A/V: 13.5% 
FROM: E.Leclerc
RATING: 4.5/5 from me

THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SHELVES AT THIS PRICE

CHATEAU LA LOUVIERE GRAND VIN DE BORDEAUX

This was a huge disappointment. It opened a little dull and stayed that way. By Day 3 it was completely oxidised. Time to special this out, well under 10 euro.

GRAPE VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
REGION: Pessac-Leognan [Bordeaux/Graves]
A/V: 13% 
PRICE: 24.30 euro
FROM: E.Leclerc
RATING: 1/5 from me 

CHATEAU PENIN 2016 BORDEAUX ROSE

This is a dry delicate ethereal wine that just needed a little more acid zing that the palate could get hold of. Blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% merlot. 

6.9 euro from Cave L'Avant Garde Margaux
3.5/5 Rating from me

A BARGAIN GEM FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA"S MARGARET RIVER

There are some justifiably very expensive Cabernet Sauvignons produced in the Margaret River region. And then along comes this bargain gem. It's a perfect example of why the area is famed for this variety [it and Coonawarra are the regular star areas for Cabernet down under]. It's sumptuous and balanced, dripping cassis fruit flavours. Tannins and acid are all in the right spot. Oak is supportive and restrained with much less than many Aussie blockbusters. 
Drink now with plenty of breathing and over the next ten years.
This is a 5/5 rating at £9 - goes off the scale if you pay any less.
Outstanding stuff.




Ringbolt 2014 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon £6.75 from Tesco on promotion
£9 regular
AUD$22 Dan Murphy Australia

Vinaceous 2012 "Raconteur" Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

PUTTING THE FUN BACK INTO WINE
The best find from the first Trade Show of 2015 were eight beauties from WA's VINACEOUS WINES. I've seen them around, not tasted them and dismissed them as yet another concept label designed to justify high prices and stand out on the shelves.
Having tasted them I now see them as outstanding wines and I LOVE the labels.
Check out their website and you'll see what I mean about putting the fun back into wine.
http://www.vinaceous.com.au/

And if you're going to have a cabernet in your range it makes sense if it also comes from Margaret River. It's a bargain with all you'd expect from a $30+ MR offering.



Our Price: $20 per bottle by the dozen

SOLD OUT

Deen De Bortoli 2006 Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon

Bagpipes, Toukley RSL and a Captivating Cabernet
When Toukley holds a Highland Gathering, they know how to party. Which is how we found ourselves on a recent Saturday night at the glittering Toukley RSL being entertained by the Lithgow City Pipe Band. While most of the lasses and laddies were more than content with whisky and beer I was sent forth to find a bottle of red wine.
Which was how I met Cheryl the barmaid. She was a gem. Not only did she keep a straight face when I asked to see the wine list, she also knew that there were only two bottles of the only possible decent red in the place. She wasn't quite sure where the second bottle was but when I explained there was every possibiity we may require it, she made it her "mission possible" to make sure it woud be ready when we were.
And so it transpired that Toukley RSL ran out of their "premium" red that night and bad luck if they tried to order anymore now. I rang De Bortoli who told me they had 50 dozen left and I said we'd take the lot.

Our Price: $ 9 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT