Elderton Ashmead Family Barossa Shiraz 2004

Elderton Ashmead Family Barossa Shiraz 2004

Bottle/label shown
from 2003 vintage

Fruit for Elderton Shiraz is grown exclusively on the Elderton Estate Vineyards situated on the banks of the North Para River, Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. The 2004 was an ideal vintage for Shiraz in the Barossa with a wonderful cool growing season allowing physiological ripeness. This Estate Shiraz has become a "benchmark" wine for the Barossa Valley.

Fabulous complement to hearty blue cheeses on simple crackers, the 2004 Elderton Ashmead Family Barossa Shiraz exhibits dark purple/black in color with dark garnet rim, medium-full bodied, moderately complex, nicely balanced wine that predominates with a lively mineral tin flavor accented by flavorful blackberry, ripe plum, cherry and blueberry fruits with hints of mocha, tobacco and cedar on a flavorful finish. Approachable and drinkable now, consider this the poor man's little brother to the more expensive Elderton 'Command' Shiraz which received 98 points from Robert Parker for this vintage but which remains closed and subdued needing more time to reveal itself. Tasted from 375ml half bottle.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=729278

http://www.eldertonwines.com.au/

Torbreck Vineyards Barossa Valley Woodcutters Shiraz 2009

Dark inky purple color, big full body - big aromas of floral and perfume, forward full flavors of black and blue berry fruits, a layer of metallic mineral, vanilla, and spice on a full lingering tongue coating tannin finish. 

RM 89 points. 

L loves this style but the metallic tones detract from my preference. Taken and tasted with L, BYOB in the concierge lounge at JW Marriott in Indy w/ artisan cheese and biscuits prior to Kara and Gary's wedding.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1035343

Syrah Syrah - Mothers' Day Dinner Wine Selection

Syrah Syrah - Mothers' Day Dinner Wine Selection 

If you don't already know, Syrah is the same grape varietal as Shiraz. Mothers' Day family dinner gathering, Mom gets to choose her favorite wine (s). Ryan pulled from the cellar these two Shiraz's for L - d' Arenberg 'The Dead Arm' McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 and Flinders Run, Southern Flinders Ranges, Baroota, Australia, Shiraz 2005. For this momentus holiday gathering of four generations of family - Great-Grandmother Evelyn, Grandmother Linda, Daughter Erin, and Granddaughter Lucy, we dined at our favorite Italian trattoria, Angeli's Italian Restaurant and took our BYOB wines.We were also celebrating son Alec returning home from college graduation.

d' Arenberg 'The Dead Arm' McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 -  RP Review - ‘One of this estate’s flagship wines, the 2003 The Dead Arm Shiraz appears to be better than the 2002. A deeper, richer, fuller-bodied offering that spent time in equal parts French and American oak, it possesses an opaque purple colour, great intensity, and a fabulously sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, asphalt, earth, and oak. Powerful, super-concentrated, and obviously fashioned from low yields and old vines, this is classic McLaren Vale old vine Shiraz that should age nicely for 15+ years.’ RP Rating 95. 

My review - Reminiscent of the 94/95 Dead Arms reflecting a distinctive blueberry taste along with that sweet oak, blackberry and slight earthy smoke, but smooth and polished - more approachable than some of the overpowering over-ripe fruit bombs coming out of Australia recently. - RM - Dark full bodied, concentrated forward ripe black fruits, hint of cassis, raisin, slight tar firm tannin finish. RM 92 points.

This wine derives its odd name from the results of a louse that hit the region early in the last century and destroyed many of the vines. Many producers plowed the affected vines under and replanted. d'Arenberg cultivated their vines which survived however with only one remaining shoot having sacrificed the other main shoot, the 'Dead Arm'. The results were that the remaining vines produced rich extracted fruits from the diminished reduced yields of the surviving grapes benefiting from the nutrients of the full remaining root structure.

We first discovered this wine back in1994 at a dinner with AJ out in Silicon Valley. I still recall the bold, forward, full bodied, ripe black and blue berry fruits of that wine that characterizes Dead Arm wines to this day - worthy of our Mother's Day family dinner selection.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=84155 

Flinders Run, Southern Flinders Ranges, Baroota, Australia, Shiraz 2005 - One of our absolute favorite wines with a huge QPR (Quality Price Ratio). Dark inky colour - full bodied, elegant rich thick chewy - symphony of flavors of sweet currant, ripe plum, red raspberry, blueberry, a layer of mocha accented by hints of pepper, vanilla, and spice, and a lingering essence of creme brulee' and cedar on the long full soft finish. Now seven years old with a bit of age, this wine is smoother, more polished and more approachable than earlier tastings when young.

RM 94 points. 

 https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=421985

We first discovered this wine down in central Illinois wineshop Friar Tuck's. We bought some and brought it home and loved it. We bought case quantities from Southern Hemisphere Wines in SoCal. Eventually Binny's featured this wine and we bought it all and are fortunate to have a supply as we continue to enjoy this wine which is improving with age!

Two bold and hearty Australian shiraz's - perfect complement to hearty Italian dinner fare on a special day and family gathering. 

St. Hallett Faith South Australia Barossa Shiraz 2006

St. Hallett Faith South Australia Barossa Shiraz 2006 

Dark inky black purple color - dense full bodied and chewy; initially tart cherry quickly burns off and gives way to black berry, tar, spicy cedar, hints of tobacco, white pepper, anise, charcoal and smoke on a lingering moderate tannin oaky berry finish. Slightly obtuse and lacking polish but an amazing value at $12.99.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=431862

http://www.sthallett.com.au/

Vintage Aged Cheese and Wine Pairing - 10 & 5 year old cheddars with Steve Hoff Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006

Vintage Aged Cheese and Wine Pairing

You read it right, vintage aged cheese paired with wine as opposed to cheese paired with aged vintage wine! Yes, there are aged vintage cheeses out there worthy of leading the pairing with a select wine. The word vintage indicating the year of production, or the age of the cheese. Tonight we feasted on two select aged cheeses, a 2001 vintage, ten year old cheddar from Sweetwater Valley Farms, and an aged five year old cheddar from Fair Oaks Farms. Both of these cheeses are sourced from large commercial dairy operations that take cheese very seriously. Both offer on-line shopping on the web or have commercial retail centers on main arterial interstate highways.While they may not warrant a long destination trip, they certainly warrant a stop if passing through or in the region. 

Sweetwater Valley Farms is located between the towns of Philadelphia and Loudon, in the heart of southeast Tennessee’s dairy-rich Sweetwater Valley, off of Interstate 75 between Chattanooga and the Knoxville - Nashville Highway Interstate 40. Sweetwater Valley Farm cheese is produced in a state-of-the-art facility, but they still preserve the fine art and craft of making cheese in the traditional farmstead manner, controlling the process from cow to consumer.They focus on high-quality cheddar cheeses.

Fair Oak Farms (FOF) is in northwest Indiana on Interstate 65 between Chicago and Indianapolis. One of the largest working dairies in the country FOF is a substantial diversified sustainable dairy farming operation run by five families spanning three generations. They feature the Dairy Adventure family attraction featuring a collection of educational exhibits,  a one-of-a-kind 4D movie experience, a world-famous Birthing Barn, and tours of the highly automated working dairy operation.

Of course any quality cheese counter will offer a broad variety of cheeses featuring such selections and many more from America, England, France and beyond.  

We enjoyed these cheeses at a gala dinner at Erin & Johnny's featuring bar-b-que ribs, twice baked potatoes, iceberg wedge wedge with feta cheese and blue cheese dressing, followed by a hearty chocolate cake desert. To complement the hearty cheeses, bar-b-que and chocolate we chose one of our favorite regional varietals a Barossa Valley Shiraz from Steve Hoff, vintage 2006.  These wines are full bodied, huge forward fruit flavored that go well with bold flavorful foods. We featured this wine in our tasting review May 6, 2011.

Steve Hoff Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006

This is as good as their higher priced select shiraz at a fraction of the price. Notably, a great compliment to hearty meats, cheeses, dark chocolate - Deep dark purple color - full-bodied, ripe and rich layers of deep blackberry, plum and anise, hints of blueberry and black cherry with a long lingering fine-grained tannin finish.  

RM 90 points.

Other reviews - 


92 pts Robert Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate (JM) - It is opaque purple-colored with an enticing perfume of smoke, meat, bacon, and blueberry. This leads to a full-bodied, plush, ripe, layered wine with gobs of savory fruit, well concealed tannin, and superior length. This in-your-face Shiraz will drink well for a decade.

91 pts Wine Spectator
Ripe and rich, with deep blackberry, plum and licorice flavors mingling for effect as the finish rolls on, finishing with fine-grained tannins. 

90 pts Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar (JR)
Ruby-red. Powerfully scented bouquet of cherry and blueberry preserves, smoked meat and dried flowers. Fleshy dark fruit flavors are weighty and velvety, with fully absorbed tannins and a late-arriving spicy quality. This is all about fruit and is already delicious, but it has the concentration and balance to reward cellaring for a few years.

As you read through our wine tasting journal here on unwindWine, note how often we include artisan cheeses. Next time you're planning a wine tasting, think, even start with cheese! 

Shiraz flight - Jim Barry "The McRae Wood" Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley, South Australia, Shiraz 2004 & Hage Family Vineyards Troll Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002

Shiraz flight - Jim Barry "The McRae Wood" Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley, South Australia, Shiraz 2004 & Hage Family Vineyards Troll Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002

Mini flight of two South Australian Shiraz' - both are dark purple colored, full bodied, rich and concentrated - the Troll Creek was forward extracted dark berry and ripe plum fruits with a layer of mineral, hints of smoke and tar on a full long tannin finish.

The McRae Wood exhibited similar black cherry and black berry fruits but exhibited a layer of graphite and bacon that detracted from the fruit. Both had moderate, nicely integrated tannins on a lingering finish.

Tasted at home with L over beef tenderloin dinner. 





Troll Creek - RM 88 points. RP 93 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=461107

McRae Wood - RM 87 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=390097

Branson Coach House Single Vineyard Greenock Block Barossa Valley South Australia Shiraz 2004

Branson Coach House Single Vineyard Greenock Block Barossa Valley South Australia Shiraz 2004

Dark inky color, full bodied, tongue coating full flavors of black fruits, a hint of raspberry and blueberry, graphite & mineral on a smooth polished moderate tannin finish. Starting to fall off slightly from earlier tastings.

RM 91 points.
Tasted from B&B's cellar w/ L Bill & Beth, BYOB at Angeli's Restaurant, our favorite neighborhood trattoria.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=246545 


Also tasted ..... Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Caldwell Vineyard Red Wine 1998....

Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Caldwell Vineyard Red Wine 1998

Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Caldwell Vineyard Red Wine 1998

Huge floral fragrance and rose petal tastes predominates from start to finish, accented by leather and a hint of charcoal, black cherry, black berry, cedar, and tar on a long full tannin finish. Consistent tasting notes from earlier tasting. 
RM 90 points. 


Tasted from the cellar w/ L Bill & Beth, BYOB at Angeli's Restaurant, our favorite neighborhood trattoria.

 http://cellartracker.com/w?..

Bill astutely exclaimed this tasted like a Marqaux! Alas, on researching the Caldwell Vineyard one finds this is not mere coincidence. From the Caldwell Vineyard website we learn that John Caldwell sought more than inspiration from Bordeaux.  From Caldwell Vineyard.com - "A trip to France and a chance visit to Chateau Haut Brion inspired his interest in clonal research. He planted his first block (including a few vines smuggled in from Bordeaux) in 1982 and harvested Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in 1985. Positive comments from some of the industry’s most respected palates inspired John to expand his plantings. He also built a nursery to supply the state’s top wineries with the latest clones and rootstocks from France.
In the early 1990s, the Caldwell property gained international exposure thanks to the highly praised Chardonnay and Merlot vineyard-designate bottlings from Pahlmeyer Winery. Since that time, the acreage devoted to vines have expanded dramatically and the list of clients has grown to include Phelps, Mura, Maris, Neiman, and Viader."

The first Caldwell Proprietary Red Wine was produced in the same vintage year, 1998 as this release offering from Neiman Cellars.

Also tasted ...

Branson Coach House Single Vineyard Greenock Block Barossa Valley South Australia Shiraz 2004

Dark inky color, full bodied, tongue coating full flavors of black fruits, a hint of raspberry and blueberry, graphite & mineral on a smooth polished moderate tannin finish. Starting to fall off slightly from earlier tastings.

RM 91 points.
From B&B's cellar.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=246545

Steve Hoff Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006

 Steve Hoff Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006 

This is as good as their higher priced select shiraz at a fraction of the price. Great compliment to hearty meats, cheeses, dark chocolate - Deep dark purple color - full-bodied, ripe and rich layers of deep blackberry, plum and anise, hints of blueberry and black cherry with a long lingering fine-grained tannin finish. RM 90 points.

Other reviews - 

92 pts Robert Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate (JM) - It is opaque purple-colored with an enticing perfume of smoke, meat, bacon, and blueberry. This leads to a full-bodied, plush, ripe, layered wine with gobs of savory fruit, well concealed tannin, and superior length. This in-your-face Shiraz will drink well for a decade.

91 pts Wine Spectator
Ripe and rich, with deep blackberry, plum and licorice flavors mingling for effect as the finish rolls on, finishing with fine-grained tannins. 

90 pts Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar (JR)
Ruby-red. Powerfully scented bouquet of cherry and blueberry preserves, smoked meat and dried flowers. Fleshy dark fruit flavors are weighty and velvety, with fully absorbed tannins and a late-arriving spicy quality. This is all about fruit and is already delicious, but it has the concentration and balance to reward cellaring for a few years.