Saturday, July 23, 2011

Rick's Index of Australian Producer's Wines Tasting Notes

Rick's Index of Australian Producer's Wines Tasting Notes

Barossa Old Vines Company Shiraz 2003 - June 24, 2007, February, 5, 2009
Barton Vale Smith's Folly Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001 - May 18, 2006. January 29, 2009
BlackWing McLaren Vale Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2005 - June 19, 2007
Branson Coach House Greenock Barossa Valley Rare Single Vineyard Coach House Block Shiraz 2002 - March 24, 2005
Branson Coach House Greenock Barossa Valley Rare Single Vineyard Coach House Block Shiraz 2002 - May 17, 2006
Branson Coach House Greenock Barossa Valley Single Vineyard Greenock Block Shiraz 2004 -
March 29, 2008,
February 6, 2009

Branson Coach House Greenock
Barossa Valley Single Vineyard Greenock Block Shiraz 2002 -
March 1, 2008
Brokenwood Vineyard 1997 Shiraz - June 13, 2001
Brothers in Arms Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2000 - 12/06/03
Cape Barren Old Vines Shiraz 2001 - Feb 12, 2004
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Merlot Margaret River 2002 - Aug 29, 2004
 Chateau Tanunda 'The Château' - '100 YEAR OLD VINE' Shiraz 2008 May 12, 2011 
Clarendon Hills Baker's Gully Vineyard Clarendon Syrah 2003 - February 26, 2011 
Clarendon Hills Brookman Vineyard Shiraz 1999 - April 7, 2007
Clarendon Hills Clarendon Liandra Vineyard Syrah 2001 - July 13, 2004
Clarendon Hills Clarendon Piggott Range Vineyard Shiraz 1999 - Oct 25, 2003
Clarendon Hills Romas Vineyard Old Vines Grenache 2003 - March 8, 2007
Clarendon Hills Merlot 1997 - Sept 25, 2000
Colonial Estate 'l'Explorature' Barosa Valley Shiraz 2004 - November 16, 2006
Connor Park Winery Bendigo, Australia The Honour Shiraz 2002 - Dec 23, 2005
Craneford Allyson Parsons Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - March 21, 2006
Craneford John Zilm Barossa Valley Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Jan 25, 2005
d'Arenberg The Custodian McLaren Vale Grenache 1996 - Dec 06, 2003
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006 - November 1, 2008
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 - Jan 7, 2006, October 23, 2008
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - Aug 7, 2004, February 26, 2009
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2001 - Collectables - March, 2004
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 1999 - Dec 23, 2003, November 19, 2006
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 1997 - Dec 29, 2004
d'Arenberg The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 1995 - Sept 1, 1999, May 20, 2005
Davey Family Vineyard "The Gate" McClaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - November 19, 2006
De Lisio McLaren Vale Krystina Shiraz 2005 - January 25, 2009 
Devil's Lair Margaret River Red Blend Wine 2004 - April 13, 2009
Diggers Bluff Watchdog Barossa Valley Cabernet Shiraz 2001 - March 1, 2008
Dutschke St Jakobi Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002  - July 17, 2010
John Duvall 'Entity' Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - November 17, 2006, April 24, 2010
John Duvall Plexus Barossa Valley GSM 2003 - Nov 16, 2005
Elderton Friends Barossa Shiraz 2003 - Mar 3, 2006
Elderton Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - June 10, 2007
Elderton Estate Barossa CSM 2000 - Aug, 23, 2005
Elderton Command Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - August 20, 2008
Elderton Command Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - May 16, 2006
Elderton Command Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001 - August 20, 2008
Elderton Command Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2000 - Dec 3, 2004
Fairview Paarl (South Africa) Beacon Block Shiraz 2002 - May 15, 2004 

Flemings Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - June 13, 2011

Flinders Run Southern Ranges Baroota, Australia, Shiraz 2006 - November 4, 2010, December 10, 2010, - January 18, 2011  
Flinders Run, Southern Flinders Ranges, Baroota, Australia, Shiraz 2005 - April 13, 2008, April 24, 2008 May 21-22, 2008, September 19, 2008, November 11, 2008, December 3, 2008, January 14, 2009March 18, 2009, May 2, 2009, June 21, 2009, October 23, 2009, February 13, 2010, May 1, 2010, November 19, 2010
Fox Creek McLaren Vale Shiraz Reserve 1996 - Sept 2, 2000
Gibson Barossa Vale Shiraz 2003 - June 4 & 10, 2007
Ben Glaetzer Barossa Valley Amon Ra 2005 - March 27, 2007
Ben Glaetzer Barossa Valley Godolphin Shiraz 2005 - January 14, 2009
Glen Eldon Dry Bore Shiraz Barossa 2002 - Aug 27, 2005
Grateful Palate Airwines Boarding Pass South Australia Shiraz 2005 - December 2, 2007
Green Point Victoria Shiraz 2002 - Nov 17, 2004
Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - January 15, 2009
Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - March 22, 2009, March 7, 2009
Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - Nov 13, 2003, May 8, 2005, Oct 27, 2005
Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001 - Jan 31, 2004
Haan "Prestige" Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - March 3, 2007, December 30, 2009
Haan "Prestige" Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - Dec 4, 2004, Feb 9, 2006, May 17, 2006
JJ Hahn "1928" Barossa Valley Shiraz 2001- April 12, 2005
Hardy's Eileen Hardy McLaren Vale Clare Valley Padthaway Shiraz 1995 - Feb 11, 2005
Heathcote II  Shiraz 2004 - July 7, 2007, July 10, 2007, August 19, 2007
Henry's Drive Barossa Shiraz 2004 - August 25, 2007
Henry's Drive Australia Padthaway Shiraz 2003 - June 24, 2006
Henry's Drive Padthaway Reserve Shiraz 2002 - July 31 2005
Henry's Drive Padthaway Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Sept 12, 2004, July 30, 2007
Hazyblur South Australia Kangaroo Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - December 4, 2010
HazyBlur Baroota Shiraz 2004 - May 18, 2006, December 31, 2007, December 31, 2009
HazyBlur Baroota Shiraz 2003 - Oct 16, 2006
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2004 - December 23, 2008, January 7, 2008,
April 4, 2008
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2003 - April 20, 2005
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2001 - January 20, 2009
HazyBlur South Australia Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2006 - July 17, 2010
HazyBlur South Australia Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2004 - February 14, 2007, December 31, 2009
HazyBlur McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - December 31, 2009
Hentley Farm 'Clos Otto' Barossa Valley Greenock Creek Shiraz 2008 May 12, 2011  
Hewitson Mad Hatter McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - Dec 27, 2005
Hope Hunter Valley Australia Verdelho 2009 - October 2, 2010 
Jacobs Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz Reserve 1997 - 11/23/03
Jip Jip Rocks Limestone Coast Australia Syrah - Cabernet 2005 - July 17, 2008
John Duvall 'Entity' Barossa Valley Shiraz - November 17, 2006
John Duvall Plexus Barossa Valley GSM 2003 - Nov 16, 2005
Kaesler Avignon Barossa Valley Shiraz 2003 - Nov 27, 2004
Kaesler Barossa Valley Old Vines Shiraz 2004 - April 20, 2008
Kaesler Barossa Valley Old Vines Shiraz 1996 - Oct 10, 2002
Kaesler Old Bastard Barossa Shiraz 2001 - May 22, 2004
Kaesler Old Bastard Barossa Shiraz 1998 - March 11, 2002
Kaesler Stonehorse Barossa Shiraz 2004 - February 28, 2007
Kaesler Stonehorse Barossa Shiraz 2003 - Sept 22, 2005
Kalleske Greenock Vineyard South Australia Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005 - April 9, 2009, April 24, 2010
Kangarilla  Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Aug 27, 2005
Ken Norman Cabernet Merlot 1998 - Apr 21, 2000
Kilikanoon Clare Valley Covenant Shiraz 2002 -
Kilikanoon Oracle Clare Valley Shiraz 2005 - January 10, 2009
Kilikanoon Oracle Clare Valley Shiraz 2004 - February 15, 2009, December 28, 2009
Kilikanoon Oracle Clare Valley Shiraz 2003 - May 6, 2006, May 16, 2006
Kilikanoon Oracle Clare Valley Shiraz 2001 - Apr 21, 2004
Kilikanoon Oracle Clare Valley Shiraz 1999 - February, 27, 2010
Killikanoon Killerman's Run South Australia Shiraz 2005 - August 5, 2007, February 9, 2008
Kilikanoon Parable Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - July 22, 2007
Killikanoon 'R' Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - May 22, 2009
Kilikanoon Testament Clare Valley Shiraz 2004 - February 24, 2007, October 24-25,2007
Kim Crawford Marlborough Dry Riesling 2007 - Nov 7, 2009 
Koonowla Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - January 9, 2007
Leeuwin Estate Margaret River Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - 12/14/03
Liebich CW's Block Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - March 1, 2005
Lindeman's Pyrus Coonawara Blend 1994 - Aug 15, 2005
Marquis Phillips Southeast Australia Shiraz 2006 - September 17, 2008
Marquis Phillips Southeast Australia Shiraz 2003 - Aug 8, 2004
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2007 - July 23, 2011
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2006 - February 10, 2009, June 11, 2009
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2005 - April 8, 2007, June 20, 2007, August 19, 2007,
November 11, 2008
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2004 - August 6, 2010
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2003 - Aug 14, 2004
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2002 - Dec 17, 2003
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2001- Oct 10, 2003, May 8, 2005, Dec 29, 2005, June 5, 2006, February 21, 2007, February 23, 2008
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Shiraz '9' 2000 - July 17, 2003
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale 'S2' Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - June 30, 2011 
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale 'S2' Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - June 26, 2002, October 1, 2007, April 2, 2008, June 16, 2011
Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale Cabernet 'S2' 2001 - Oct 1, 2003
Marquis Phillips Proprietary Red Sarah's Blend 2003 - Oct 30,2004
Maxwell's Ellen Street Shiraz 2001- July 31, 2004
Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - July 17, 2007
Mitolo G.A.M McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - Dec 31, 2003 Mitolo Reiver Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - July 28, 2007
Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy 2006 - August 19, 2010
Mollydooker "Carnival of Love" McLaren Vale South Australia Shiraz 2005 - Feb 10, 2007
Mollydooker Enchanted Path Cabernet Shiraz 2006 - August 17, 2010
Mollydooker Goosebumps Sparkling Shiraz 2006 -  March 14, 2009
Mollydooker T"wo Left Feet" Mclaren Vale Shiraz Red Blend 2008 - October 27, 2010
Mollydooker "Two Left Feet" McLaren Vale Shiraz Blend 2006 - January 27, 2008
Mollydooker "Two Left Feet" McLaren Vale Shiraz Blend 2005 - November 26, 2006, September 8, 2007
Mollydooker "The Boxer" McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 - November 24, 2006
Mollydooker Velvet Glove Shiraz 2009 - May 12, 2011   
Mollydooker Violinist Verdehlo 2007 - February 13, 2010
Mr. Riggs Adelaide Shiraz Viognier 2004 - Feb 25, 2006
Mr. Riggs Adelaide Shiraz Viognier 2003 - Sept 9, 2004 February 26, 2009
Mr. Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - February 26, 2009
Muddy Water Waipara New Zealand Pinot Noir 2008 - March 26, 2011, March 27, 2011 
Noon Winery Langhorne Creek Reserve Shiraz 2003 - Oct 21, 2005
Greg Norman Estates - Cabernet/Merlot 1997 - Mar 21, 2000
Greg Norman Estates - Cabernet Merlot 1995 - Nov 15, 1999
Oliverhill Winery Jimmy Section McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 - March 17, 2007
Oliverhill Winery Jimmy Section McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 - Jan 16, 2004
Paringa Shiraz South Australia Individual Vineyard 2001 - Oct 4, 2003
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2001 - Jan 29, 2004
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1997  - Mar 26, 2000
Penfolds South Australia Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2001 - Jan 19, 2004
Penfolds Shiraz-Cabernet South Australia Koonunga Hill 1996 - Apr 23, 2004
Penfolds 'Thomas Hyland' South Australia Shiraz 2005 - January 3, 2008
Peter Lehman Clancey's Barossa Shiraz 1997 - 11/15/03
Peter Lehmann Clancy's Barossa Shiraz 1998 - Apr 28, 2000, March 14, 2009
Peter Lehman Barossa Shiraz 1999 - Oct 15, 2002
Peter Lehman Barossa Shiraz 1998 - Jan 8, 2001
Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz 1997 - Apr 28, 2000, June 18, 2005
Pirramimma 1998 McLaren Vale Shiraz Stocks Hill Vineyard - Mar 27, 2003
Pirramimma 1998 McLaren Vale Shiraz - Dec 14, 2000
Passing Clouds Bendigo Reserve Shiraz 2003 - January 16, 2007
Poonawatta Estate Eden Valley Shiraz - March 8, 2007
Possum Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - Feb 12, 2004
Possum Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2001 - Apr 17, 2004
Punters Corner Spartacus Reserve Shiraz 1998 - May 20, 2006
Punters Corner Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 1998 - Sept 23, 2001
Pure Love Wines "Layer Cake" Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005 - October 13, 2007
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Australian Shiraz 2004 - May 22, 2007
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Australian Shiraz 2002 - Mar 8, 2004, April 12, 2005
RedHeads Studio - Return Of The Living Red N.V. - February 26, 2011
Red Ochre 1997 McLaren Vale Red Wine - Sept 8, 2000
Chateau Reynella McClaren Vale Basket Pressed Shiraz 1994-11/13/02, 12/7/2000, 7/28/05
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 2002 - October 7, 2008,  May 15, 2011
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 2001- May 26, 2009
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 2000 - Sept 1, 2005, April 22, 2011
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 1999 - Aug, 19, 2003, Nov 23, 2002
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 1998 - Aug 30, 2001, Apr 14, 2001, March 18, 2007, May 8, 2009
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 1997 - Mar 19, 2001, June 2, 2000, Feb 13, 2007, December 30, 2007, December 31, 2007
Rosemount Estates Balmoral Mclaren Vale Syrah 1996 - June 29, 2008
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Syrah 1995 - 8/28/03, 12/18/99, 04/08/05, Feb 21, 2006, June 5, 2006, January 4, 2007, May 9, 2010
Rosemount Estates Balmoral McLaren Vale Shiraz 1992 - Nov 5, 2009
Rosemount Estates Mudgee Mountain Blue Shiraz Cabernet 1997 - May 2, 2001
Rosemount GSM (Grenache Syrah Mouvedre) McLaren Vale 2002 - June 9, 2006
Rosemount GSM (Grenache Syrah Mouvedre) McLaren Vale 1998 - Dec 15, 2000
Rosemount GSM (Grenache Syrah Mouvedre) McLaren Vale 1997 - June 11, 2006
Rosemount Estate Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1997 - June 14, 2000
Rutherglen Estate Red 2004 - March 24, 2006
Schild Estate Barossa Shiraz 2005 - April 14, 2008

Shingleback McLaren Vale, South Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - July 20, 2011

Shingleback D Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 - May 30, 2006
Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 - June 2, 2006
St. Hallett Barossa Faith Shiraz 2001- Sept 6, 2001
The Standish 'Single Vineyard Shiraz' Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - August 2, 2008, August 16, 2008

Steve Hoff Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006 - May 6, 2011

Tait Ballbuster Barossa Valley 2005 - January 27, 2007
Tapestry McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - April 22, 2006, June 10, 2007
Tapestry McLaren Vale Shiraz 2001- April 12, 2005
Tapestry McLaren Vale Shiraz 2000 - Nov 26, 2005
Tatiarra Heathcote Shiraz Pressings 2003 - Dec 4, 2004
Te Kairanga Cesarina Reserve Chardonnay North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough, New Zealand 2005 - December 9, 2010
Thorn-Clark Barossa Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 2006 - August 19, 2007
Thorn-Clark Barossa Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 2004 - April 14, 2006
Thorn-Clark Terra Barossa Shiraz 2006 - December 12, 2008
Three Rings Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - Nov 18, 2005
Hardy Wines, Tintara Winery McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - October 10, 2007
Tir Na N'Og McLaren Vale Grenache Old Vines 2003 - Nov 11, 2005
Torbreck Vineyards Cuvee Juveniles Barossa Valley 2008 - April 6, 2010
Torbreck Vineyards Barossa Valley Woodcutters Shiraz 2005 - May 16, 2007
Torbreck Vineyards The Struie Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004 - May 12, 2007
Torbreck Vineyards Barossa Valley Woodcutters Shiraz 2003 - Nov 28, 2004
Torbreck Vineyards Juveniles Barossa Valley 2002 - Apr 2, 2004
Tower Barossa Valley Shiraz 2000 - Nov 26, 2004
Trevor Jones Barossa Valley Cabernet Merlot 1995 - July 16, 2008
Trevor Jones Dry Grown Barossa Shiraz 1996 - Feb 4, 2000, Aug 2, 2004
Troll Creek Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2002 - May 16, 2006
Turkey Flat Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - Dec 3, 2004
Two Hands Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - Nov 9, 2005
Two Hands Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 - Sept 6, 2004
Two Hands 'Brave Faces' Barossa Valley Shiraz Red Blend 2007 - December 2, 2010
Two Hands Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 - February 14, 2009
Two Hands 'Zippy's Block' Single Vineyard Ronnefeldt Road Marananga Barossa Valley Shiraz 2007 - May 12, 2011 
Wakefield Claire Valley Shiraz 2005 - September 26, 2007
The Willows Vineyard Bonesetter South Australia Barossa Shiraz 2002 - June 14, 2010
The Willows Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 - October 21, 2008,  March 14, 2009, January 15, 2011
Hope Estate Verdelho Estate Grown Hunter Valley 2006 -  March 14, 2009
Yalumba Hand Picked Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz 2001 - Feb 2, 2005
Yalumba Victoria Museum Release Muscat NV - 12/06/03
Yalumba Museum Release Old Reserve Muscat - Dec 11. 2001
Yangarra McLaren Vale GSM Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre 2003 - June 28, 2006








































































































































































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

Friday, July 22, 2011

Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley, Washington Red Wine 2005

Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley, Washington Red Wine 2005 

Deep, dark purple color - medium-full bodied - complex, soft polished bouquet and tastes of ripe black and red berry fruits, a soft layer of mocha and vanilla with a smooth moderate tannin finish. Nice easy drinking wine when the call is for a sophisticated red during the hot weather. Nice complement to grilled tenderloin and roasted potatoes - and to the chocolate berry desert. The soft smooth character of this wine seems to be contrary to the the blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot. This wine is consistently enjoyable.

RM 92 points.

See my index of other Oregon/Washington State wine tasting notes

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Shingleback McLaren Vale, South Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Shingleback McLaren Vale, South Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Bright dark purple color - medium-full bodied - complex - black fruits predominate but layer of mineral/metallic overtakes and detracts from the tight blackberry; has hints of cedar and subtle dark chocolate on a spicy oak tannin finish. Consistent notes with earlier vintage tastings.  

RM 87 points.

$16.99 at TotalWine in Virginia.

See Index of Rick's Australian Wine tasting notes.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Marquis Philips Shiraz No 9 2007

Marquis Philips Shiraz No 9 2007 

A perennial favorite - consistently good, the '07 comes through again with a flavorful tongue-coating shiraz - full-bodied and firm with excellent depth and structure - chewy blackberry, blueberry and ripe plum fruits, a layer of spice, hints of cigar box and mineral with finely integrated oak, tannin, and acidity.
RM 92 points; The Wine Advocate 91pts.

Whimsical wine features their fantasy 'Roogle' - half kangaroo, half eagle - indicative of the initial partnership between American Importer Dan Philips and leading Australian producers. 
Picture shows 2003 vintage. 


See Index of Rick's Australian Wine tasting notes.

PlumpJack Winery Napa Valley, Oakville, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

PlumpJack Winery Napa Valley, Oakville, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

This was the third vintage of this wine - 100% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon made entirely from grapes grown in the vineyards adjacent to the PlumpJack Winery located on Oakville Cross Road in the Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. We tasted and purchased this wine during winery visits in 1998 and 1999, the first tasting being prior to release from the barrel. We hosted then associate winemaker Mary Pisor at a gala dinner at Meadowood Resort at the base of Howell Mountain in Napa (pictured below). The release notes called for this  wine to age up to fifteen years. Indeed in its fourteenth year it's starting to show its age and is beginning the final stage of its drinking profile. It is still holding its own and is very presentable - not yet diminished in decline, however.

We served this wine at a gala family dinner at home with grilled beef tenderloin and salmon dinner with L, sis Dr Pat, Lauren, Erin & Johnny. Chosen from the cellar commemorating one of the favorite Napa wineries of L, Erin and Johnnie, we gathered on the eve of the mother-daughter 5K run at Montrose Harbor on Chicago's lakefront in which we had four generations represented - Evelyn, Linda, Erin and Lucy, and three generations with Pat, Lauren and Teo. 


Firm, medium to full bodied, the black cherry fruit is a bit subdued overtaken by anise, a layer of spicy oak with hints of nutmeg, dark chocolate, vanilla and a tone of cedar and toasted oak on the finish. RM 89 points.
 


Pictured above, wine flght from our 1999 Meadowood Resort PlumpJack Wine Producer dinner - Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons - Venge Vineyards Penny Lane Reserve 1995, PlumpJack Reserve 1995 (pre-release hand labeled bottle), and PlumpJack Estate 1997, served with top-flight of 1995 Bordeaux - Chateau Pichon Lalande 1995, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1995, and Chateau Cos d' Estournel 1995. Our wine group with Mary Pisor pictured below.


During our Napa Wine Experience visits of 1997 through 2000 we hosted gala tasting dinners with the 'Undisccovered Dozen' emerging new wine producers to watch, featured in an article in Wine Spectator Magazine. Many of these producers released their inaugural vintage releases in or about the 1994 vintage. Those producers and winery visits included Plumpjack, David Arthur, Clark-Claudon, Robert Craig, Del Dotto, Elan,  Paradigm, Pride Vineyards, Snowden, Nils Venge and White Cottage and are featured on my winesite http://www.unwindwine.com. An complete index of my tasting notes of these wines over the years is on the site at this link to California Producers Index. These producers make up a foundation of our wine cellar collection even today. In many of these wines, we still have vertical selections of these wines, some dating back to those early release vintages. I'm missing one which will come to me at some point - I don't remember what I don't remember!




Thursday, July 14, 2011

Moffett Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 & Ladera Napa Valley Malbec 2006

Moffett Vineyards  Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006

First tasting of this or any other wine from this producer. Sourced from two Napa Valley vineyards: one high up on Howell Mountain and the other in St. Helena it strikes a beautiful balance in the blend composed of 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% cabernet franc. Dark inky purple color - full bodied - polished and smooth flavors of blackberries, that Howell Mountain appellation character of ripe plum and currants - highlighted by a layer of sweet milk chocolate and a slight touch of spice - the wine shows great balance of toasted oak and acidity. RM 93 points. 



 Ladera Napa Valley Malbec 2006 

We discovered this wine and purchased it following our visit to the winery during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008.   Malbec is one of the "big five" grape varieties in Bordeaux included in the "Cabernet family" of grapes. It serves as one of the blending wines to round out and add complexity to the primary varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Merlot used for its deep, dark purple color, its fragrant aromas, ranging from black cherry to black pepper, and its texture which is lush and juicy in the mid palette and very soft on the finish. Primarily a blended complement to the tannic, brooding Cabernet Sauvignon, it produces an interesting and nice stand alone wine, as well.

The 2006 Ladera Malbec is a blend of fruit from two mountain vineyards - 50% from Howell Mountain and the other 50% from Lone Canyon - two unique terroirs. The rolling hills and volcanic soils of Howell Mountain vineyard lend to the bold dark fruit characters while the steep slopes and gravely soils of Lone Canyon contribute intense phenolic structure and complexity to the wine.

This wine holds true to its varietal characteristics with its dark inky color, rich aromatics and bold masculine structure. The wine exhibits forward fruits flavors of black cherry and black berry with violets, red licorice, hints of vanilla, white pepper and smoky fig.A bit flabby on opening but overcame the funkiness to reveal black berry and cherry fruit flavors, a layer of spice, hints of leather and a touch of cedar on a long finish. RM 90 points.

Tasted with L, Mark & Shirley at Angeli's Italian Restaurant - our favorite local trattoria. The wines were perfect complements to the spectacular veal margherita and mushroom and ricotta ravioli yet provided an interesting contrast in the varietals with common core pedigree Howell Mountain appellation characteristics. The girls preferred the Malbec with its more forward and deeper intensity flavors while the guys preferred the more complex and polished but more subtle flavored Cabernet.


 
Rick & Linda at the picturesque Ladera Howell Mountain winery - formerly the historic Chateau Woltner.