ROBYN & JOHN'S PERSONAL SELECTIONS
FROM OUR DINNER TABLE
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You can have great confidence in selecting from
the following wines . Make
great mixed dozens (all single + bottles ) with a very high degree of quality
and
moreishness. Whenever a wine gets a high score from our own tasting, it will
be
added to this list. Keep checking back for additions.
For those of you with minimal wine knowledge and want to make up a gift, this
is
the list you should select from.
SHIRAZ
LAUGHING JACK 2008 Jack's Shiraz BAROSSA VALLEY (rrp22)....$17.95...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
Moreish 5.5/6
HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED for Moreishness and absolute VALUE
CHALKERS CROSSING 2005 Shiraz HILLTOPS
....$45.00...
7 TROPHY WINNER - WE BOUGHT LAST OF STOCKS Moreish 5.5/6
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
CHALKERS CROSSING 2006 Shiraz HILLTOPS (rrp32)....$24.75
...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish
5.5/6
A FABULOUS WINE - already 1 Trophy & several GOLD Medals
From the Cherry Capital of Australia, now making GREAT WINES
DALWHINNIE 2007 Shiraz PYRENEES VIC LIMITED (rrp71.50)....$56.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 6/6
Dalwhinnie do not use a back label. The name speaks for itself.
The epitome of a classic, excellent colour, soft fruit,
fine fine tannins all marries to a
palate of perfection. A small sip engulfs the front to back sensory and
the length goes on and on.
"My kind of wine. Lovely
mix of ripe elegant flavour and smart oak,
the perfume and style of it both delicious and enchanting. This
is
a wine distinguished by its complex, elongated, integrated tannin,
by its fresh acidity, by its easy length of flavour. It
tastes of
spice, cherries, plums and musk, and after decanting it for an hour
or so, a bottle of this then disappeared in a flash.
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Our Moreish
factor 5/6
You may wonder where Peter Douglas went, yes the maker of some great
Wynns reds. Well,
he is now steering the Di Giorgio wines and are they great. Wonderful
flavours of blackberry,
smokey oak, peppermint & pepper & spice. A soft easy &
sumptuous style - very moreish with
great length & memories. Di Georgio acquired the Rouge Homme
vineyards originally established by
Bill Redman and consequently sold off to Lindemans. Thank god it has
returned to a family operation.
GROVE ESTATE 2006 Shiraz Viognier HILLTOPS NSW (rrp42.50)
....$32.50...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Awards
Shiraz has been excelling in Young for years. Grove Estate
has joined
the credentials of the red volcanic
Moreish
4.75/6 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
KEITH TULLOCH 2005 Shiraz Viognier HUNTER VALLEY
(rrp27) ....$21.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish 5/6
KEITH TULLOCH 2005 Shiraz KESTER HUNTER VALLEY (rrp47) ....$41.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish
5.5/6
MOUNT TRIO 2007 Shiraz GRAVEL PIT Mount Barker WA
(rrp21.50)....$16.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Our Moreish score 5/6
14% Al
The Great Southern produces some great cool climate shiraz :
(thick black
pepper and spicy berry fruits.) The 2007 Shiraz has all of these flavours
and
is a delicious wine to enjoy now or for further bottle age.
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
We rate this wine in the TOP ECHELON - a very distinctive in your
face bouquet with
ripe fruit and sweet oak. An inviting brooding dark colour. We knew we
were about to
experience something very special and we were on the money. The use of oak
was at
it's best, lots of chocolate and spice and in perfect balance. Length
galore.
SCHILD ESTATE 2006 Shiraz BAROSSA VALLEY (rrp20.5)
....$16.95...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Very
Moreish 5/6
2009 WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 - 92 POINTS - 43RD ALL WINE STYLES WORLD WIDE
We made short work of our tasting sample - not a drop left. 14.5% alcohol
for a Barossa hinted we were onto a top producer. Rich elegant,
quality
throughout from nose to a lingering memory. Nose of ripe cherries,
rich
spices and licorice with some vanillin undertones derived from the
extended
maturation in select new and old American oak. On the palate the
flavours
explode in a fusion of complex oak and well integrated tannins with a
backbone
if rich black plums. A focus on quality rewards the consumer with a
wine
showing the best of Barossa Shiraz .
SHAW & SMITH 2008 Shiraz (rrp44.50)....$36.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish
5.5/6
very limited production - this wine has very high credentials Crimson
colour with good medium body
with certain elegance. Aromas of blackberry, pepper spice, with soft wood
vanillin bouquet.
Flavours of pepper spice, plum and blackberry. Lingering soft tannins.
Keep for 5-7 years for it's
peak drinking. 14% alcohol.
SUGARLOAF CREEK 2002 Shiraz CELLARED @ 12.5C degrees (rrp36.20)
....$29.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish 5/6
Trophy 2004 Winewise
Small Vigneron Awards (Class 12 – Most Outstanding Shiraz)
Gold 2004 Winewise
Small Vigneron Awards (Class 12)
Gold 2003 Boutique
Wines of Australia Wine Awards (entered under Munari Wines)
Gold 2003 Cowra
Wine Show (Class 27 – Top of Class)
“Outstanding
- 2002 Sugarloaf Creek Vineyard Shiraz. The entrancingly fragrant nose of
blackberry, violets and pepper won the judges over immediately. When it
was followed by a fine,
long, supple palate full of ripe, pure, beautifully defined varietal
fruit, a gold medal was
a certainty. This is a superb expression of cool area Australian shiraz.”
Winewise Magazine, August 2004
THORN CLARKE 2008 Shiraz SHOTFIRE RIDGE Barossa V
(rrp26) ....$18.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish 5/6
Value 6/6
Immediate fruit driven shiraz nose, easily noting a rich
generous wine with hints of oak would follow. Big Barossa,
typical Barossa characters of dark chocolate, mariposa plums
(in season at tasting time) - an outstanding shiraz.
WICKS ESTATE 2008 Shiraz ADELAIDE HILLS
(rrp22.20) ....$16.75...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish
rating 5.5/6
Many of our customers bought the 2006 on our recommendation. We
awaited the release of the '08 and were not disappointed. Rich berry
fruit with juicy plum overtones - lots of spice complimented with the
fine
tannins of French Oak. Lovely soft long finish. Very moreish.
The Wicks Estate Shiraz is classic cool
climate with distinctive ripe
berry and spice. James Halliday has scored Wicks Estate Shiraz at
95 & 94 Points and the 2007 featured in
Winestate’s Top 40 Buys Under $20.
CABERNET
BANNOCKBURN 2001 Cabernet Merlot GEELONG V
(rrp36)....$15.95 ...SOLD
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 5.5/6
The wine leapt from the glass with
a bouquet of cedar and cigar box oak mingled with cassis, plums and cherries
which held throughout our meal. The wine is superbly balanced with a delightful
softness. The image shows the last of the deep dark red wine which was sipped
off very slowly. The wine maybe eight years old but we will personally put
several cases into our 12.5 deg C maturation cellar and continue to enjoy
for another eight years.
CHAPEL HILL 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
MCLAREN VALE (rrp34)....$24.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
Moreish
5.5/6
MAJELLA 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra (rrp39)
....$32.50...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
Moreish
5.75/6 Fantastic
Universally regarded as one of
Coonawarra’s greatest wines, it continues to
and medals throughout
of black fruits, blue fruits and violets.
and ribena-like, with
SH
Gold
MERLOT
CUTTAWAY HILLS 2006 Merlot SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS (rrp20)
....$15.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish factor 5/6
BEST WINE IN SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS REGION, Kiama Wine plus Show 2 SILVER
MEDALS
Ripe plum aromas and a soft fruit palate balanced by integrated
oak and mature tannins provide a long soft finish rounding out
a spectacular merlot to suit any duck or spatchcock in a red wine jus.
"Light, bright red-purple; while only of light-to medium body,
offers herb,
olive and cassis all within varietal expectations; lively and long, but
not
deep; tangy finish". Rating 90 James Halliday
DI GIORGIO 2005 Merlot Cabernet Cabernet Franc EMPORIO COONAWARRA
(rrp27)....$21.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 5.5/6
You may wonder where Peter Douglas went, yes the maker of
some great Wynns reds. Well, he is now steering the Di Giorgio
wines and are they great. The Di Giorgio family bought the Rouge Homme
vineyards.
A fruit bomb, rich smooth delicious - if you were reticent about Merlot,
then
this one will turn your palate very positive as it did ours - sumptuous
to
the last drop and improving.
MAJELLA 2008 Merlot COONAWARRA (rrp40) ....$31.95
...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 6/6 Value 6/6
Deep dark black ink colour. An alluring bouquet of dark
forest blackberries and notes of warmth
inviting you to partake. At times like this you know the nose does most of
the pre-judging.
Palate:- Scrumptious!
Who ever thought a Merlot is a blending wine - WRONG. Intense, balanced
berries, mint and
fine oak - a bombshell of flavour for ever exciting the full horizon of the
palate.
GLOWING WARMTH Worth every cent.
OTHER REDS
CHRISMONT 2004 Marzemino LA ZONA 12.5% Al KING VALLEY VIC (rrp21.50) ....$16.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish 4.5/6
The marzemino grape made with a spritzig finish likens the wine to a
sweetish sparkling red with a
front palate of rich fruit sweetness with a back palate a
distinctive dryness.
Refreshing and different. Notes of violet perfume and red currants
exploding with juicy fruit. We
enjoyed slightly chilled, with a free range roast chicken dinner and would
equally suit
with a plate of cheese or tortellini and your favourite pesto.
CUTTAWAY HILLS 2008 Pinot Noir
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS NSW (rrp23.50)....$17.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN VERY VERY Moreish 5.5/6 AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
A perfumed nose of berry, plum and spicy oak compliments this firm fruit
structured
pinot noir, doe leather middle palate, that has great length and cellaring
potential and a
rewarding partner to those game dishes enjoyed at a fireside table.
DALRYMPLE 2008 Pinot Noir TASMANIA (rrp31.9)....$25.95 ... SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 6/6 ONE OF THE BEST AUSTRALIAN PINOT'S 13.5% "You can really taste the earth, the cool gentle climate, the careful handling. A beautiful wine, like silk and leather, black cherries and spices. Enjoyed to the last drop and looked for more." LA ZONA 2008 Sangiovese CHRISMONT 14% Alcohol KING VALLEY VIC (rrp24) ....$17.95... SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 5.25/6 Value 5/6 Deep crimson, absolute bouquet of plum pudding - rich and fruit driven. This is no light weight on flavours and balance - mouthfilling from front to back - very savoury of plums and cherries. Fine textured tannins and if you are a chocolate lover - indulge. Teach the Italians back home how to make Sangiovese the Aussie way. You may find this quality in their home country but boy you would pay a lot of Euro.
CHARDONNAY
WERRINGTON ESTATE 2009 Chardonnay HILLTOPS (rrp16.95)
....$13.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 5.25/6
The latest April 13 2010: An American couple tried a bottle,
came back and took
a dozen - they said it was the best Chardonnay they had ever drank. Same
day,
another couple chose Werrington Chardonnay for their upcoming Wedding
-
the Robyn & John Brown were more than impressed with there first
Estate wine.
Proudly owned by Robyn and John
WERRINGTON ESTATE is 10 klms South East of YOUNG at 550 meters - cool
climate. First bottling is coming soon.
This particular area has recently scored Top Golds at the London International
Wine & Spirit Competition (most
important wine show in the world) and also won the coveted Jimmy Watson
Trophy all in the spate of three years. This
has now elevated HILLTOPS Wine Region as the DARLING new region in Australia and
the World.
BAILLIEU 2006 Chardonnay MORNINGTON PEN (rrp22.5)
....$17.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 5/6
Excellent, rich and buttery, very clean with lots of balance with alluring
tropical flavours. TOP SCORE
CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY 2008
Chardonnay (rrp14) ....$10.50...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish 5.25/6
AN AMAZING VALUE FOR MONEY - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
COOL WOODS 2008 Chardonnay EDEN VALLEY VIC (rrp14.30)....$11.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish value 4.75/6
CUTTAWAY HILLS 2008 Chardonnay
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS (rrp20)
....$16.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish value 5/6
"Here's a very impressive Chardonnay showing plenty of cool
area finesse backed by skilfully handled, lees-derived
complexity. TROPHY Excellent Value" GOLD 2008 Winewise Small Vigneron
Awards
USA Wine Enthusiast magazine "BEST
BUY"
"Great green hues; hint of oak on a creamy nose. Delicate and
elegant palate with lively, zesty lime flavours and a good dose
of acid to balance" 4 STARS WINESTATE may/June 2008 - Equal top in
class.
FORESTER ESTATE 2008 Chardonnay
MARGARET RIVER WA (rrp28)....$22.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
We rated it at 5.5/6 Moreish
The 2005 BEAT LEEUWIN ESTATE in a taste off. Fabulous
Nice nose, tropical flavours, pineapple and melons on a rounded palate.
Integrated, nutty, delicious.
GIN GIN Clone, hand picked, hand
crafted.
KEITH TULLOCH 2006 Chardonnay HUNTER VALLEY
(rrp25.50) ...$22.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish factor 5/6 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
MILLS REEF 2006 Chardonnay RESERVE HAWKES BAY NZ Moreish 5/6
(rrp29)....$21.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
We found this gem at a recent trade tasting and it was the standout
with loads of flavoursome fruit, soft middle palate and very moreish.
SCHILD 2007 Chardonnay "Alma Schild" RESERVE Barossa Valley
(rrp23.80)....$17.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
VERY MOREISH 5.3/6
Another cracker from Schild Estate. 13.5% Al. Lovely - from the first nose
to the last drop. A fine marriage of good ripe fruit and soft tannins. .
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND
TWO RIVERS 2008 Chardonnay RESERVE
(rrp21.3) ....$15.95...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish 5/6 Value 6/6
This wine is a standout above other labels from this winery. Vibrant straw
colour with aromas of
white peach and honey dew melon. It has a richly balanced palate of ripe
stone fruit flavours with balanced use of fine oak
characters. very moreish to the last drop of our sample
bottle. A fantastic and very memorable wine. Alc 13.8%
OTHER WHITES
CUTTAWAY HILL 2005 Sparkling
Chardonnay Pinot Noir LAURENCE (rrp32) ....$24.50 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
VERY Moreish 5/6
Hand picked grapes made in a traditional method champenoise style and
matured on lees for a
minimum of 24 months. A powerful style with the base wine undergoing only
a primary fermentation.
Layers of bready yeast autolysis and toasty age. The mature fruit flavours
balance the soft acidity
to produce a sparkling wine in the top tier of sparkling wines in
Australia. Perfect accompaniment
for natural pacific oysters.
DI GIORGIO 2007 Sparkling Pinot Noir COONAWARRA (rrp27)....$20.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN|
Moreish factor 5.75/6
12.5% Al. Pretty clear pink colour. Fresh zesty yeasty nose. Delicious dry,
strawberries & berries
& yeast. We enjoyed the whole bottle, before & during dinner of
spaghetti & seafood at
"ELSEWHERE" (don't ask where this is???) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
KREGLINGER 2003 ESTATE Vintage Brut PIPERS
BROOK (rrp50) ....$37.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
Moreish
5.5/6
PEEL ESTATE 2003 Chenin Blanc WOOD MATURED BALDIVIS WA
(rrp24.5) ....$18.25 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN
Moreish 5.75/6
14.5% al. This is their CURRENT RELEASE .Simply - this is just a
lovely
beautiful wine. Elegant, long and still fresh which under winery
cellaring has delivered the flavours an older white can develop. It
has legs that will carry it for many years to come.
"I have attended several vertical tastings of fine white wines.......
but none has pleased or impressed me more than that of Peel Estate
wood-matured chenin blancs. These are age-worthy wines of character
and style." Tim White.
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 5/6
A brilliant bronze colour with crisp pear, fig and floral characters
complimented by a rich bodied
palate producing a classic full bodied Pinot Gris to match a soft cheese
and
fruit platter after an intimate dinner with a loved one.
DALZ OTTO 2008 Pinot Grigio KING VALLEY VIC (rrp23.10)....$16.50
...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish
5.5/6
Aromatics of blossom, honeysuckle and pear. This fresh & lively
wine finishes dry with good acidity.
This is probably the BEST expression of the Pinot Grigio (gris) we have
tasted
since this varietal hit the Aussie scene. We loved it to the last drop. Up
until
We gave it one our highest ratings.
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish
5.5/6
CUTTAWAY HILLS 2009 Sauvignon Blanc SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS NSW
(rrp20)....$15.25...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Very Moreish
5/6
2008 won TROPHY CANBERRA REGIONAL WINE SHOW 2008
A very classy style, and we were most surprised to find a wine
of this excellence coming
from the Southern Highlands. We met the vigneron and he solely the reason
along with superb
selection of vineyard and the unique micro climate they have.
Gooseberries, passionfruit and citrus.
OYSTER BAY 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ (rrp20) ....$14.95 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 4.9/6 Value 6/6
A sincere NZ Sauv Blanc with all the attributes of the famous Marlborough
- a soft flavoursome
finesse, easy to drink at anytime and is subdued with none of the over the
top herbaceousness
of some labels.
THE NED 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ (rrp21.50)....$13.95...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish factor of 5/6
We suggest with all honesty you buy this wine by the dozen.
the Ned Sauvignon Blanc was created by Brent Marris ( previous
owner and winemaker of
Wither Hills) and is named after the summit of Marlborough at 909 meters above sea level.
An impressive Marlborough icon, the Ned is an abiding symbol of "The Summit
of Marlborough".
Brent says " I have created this amazing wine, packed with ripe herbaceous notes, underpinned
with a striking hint of citrus. The cold nights of the vintage have particularly cemented its
intense flavours.
VOYAGER 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon MARGARET RIVER (rrp26)....$18.50 ...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN Moreish 5.5/6
A delight to appraise - the bouquet was so pronounced we knew the flavours
to follow would be unmistakeable Margaret River SB/S of the highest order.
Wonderful fruit nose of gooseberries and citrus with tingling acidity to
continuously
freshen the palate - to say - more please!
KEITH TULLOCH 2005 Semillon HUNTER VALLEY (rrp28)
....$22.95 ...
SINGLE + BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish
factor 5.5/6
PITCHFORK 2008 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc MARGARET RIVER
(rrp18)....$13.95...
SINGLE
+ BTL BUY AS PART OF A DOZEN| Moreish
4.5/6
A great blend that Margaret River excels.
WERRINGTON ESTATE Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet HILLTOPS watch
for first release.
WERRINGTON ESTATE
vineyard was planted in 1997 at approximately 1800 feet
above sea level. This area of Hilltops is famous as the Cherry Capital of
Australia
and is also an ideal location for premium viticulture and excellent cool climate
wines.
"A MEAL WITHOUT WINE IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE" Brillat-Savarin
WERRINGTON ESTATE is 10 klms South East of YOUNG - a
cool climate zone.
The Hilltops Wine Region recently scored Top Golds at the London International
Wine &
Spirit Competition - IWSC (one of the most important wine show in the
world) and also
won the coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy all in the spate of three years. This
has now
elevated HILLTOPS Wine Region as the DARLING new region in Australia and
the World.
Moreish factor of 2 to 6 -
is our a quick scoring technique we use to judge the
drink ability
of a wine
e.g. 6/6 would be the highest score we use when you want
more and possibly find it difficult to share the
"last drop" with others. Now forget all other complicated
judging techniques, in the end it comes down to:-
do you like it or not?
FREIGHT
E&OE