Wakefield Winery- St Andrews Releases

The vineyard is named after the historical property established in 1892 after the family acquired the property in 1996, with the first vintage released in 1999. It is worth noting that these flagship wines are only released on outstanding vintages.   The St Andrews Vineyard Releases are nearly impossible to get in the US. MakeContinue reading “Wakefield Winery- St Andrews Releases”

August 14th is National Left Handers Day, lets celebrate …

with Two Mollydooker Wines. For those of you that don’t know Mollydooker is Aussie slang for left-handed people. One Red and One White from Mollydooker Winery. I have had the pleasure of not only drinking these wines from the first vintage almost 20 years ago, but also meeting, talking about wine, and of course drinkingContinue reading “August 14th is National Left Handers Day, lets celebrate …”

Four Great Wines from Two Best Kept Secret Regions.

Allow me to introduce you to Vinaceous Wines, Margaret River and Frankland River: Vinaceous Wines was established in 2007 and is owned and operated by marketer Nick Stacy & winemaker Mike Kerrigan; part of the new movement of non-traditional wine producers – choosing to source grapes from the best vineyards in the premium maritime climateContinue reading “Four Great Wines from Two Best Kept Secret Regions.”

Three Great White Wines to Match the Perfect Weather.

I don’t know if any of you have noticed but over the past 5 or so years the standard of Sauvignon Blanc’s coming out of California, and Napa have been impressive, to say the least. Full-bodied wines with wonderful mouthfeels, and exceptional balance that will age out 5 plus years.  I recently shared a bottleContinue reading “Three Great White Wines to Match the Perfect Weather.”

This Weeks Pick of the Bunch- World Class Riesling and Malbec.

Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2020- with elegance and finesse! This is a single vineyard release sourced from their 1961 Block, and, you guessed it, planted in 1961. This block is home to the oldest vines the winery owns, and I suspect the oldest Riesling vines in Clare Valley, given the valley was the siteContinue reading “This Weeks Pick of the Bunch- World Class Riesling and Malbec.”

Two Excellent Offerings from Jim Barry and one from Xanadu.

Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia- Spectacular! Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is being grown in Australia, since August 2012 no less. When you think about it, the climate in Clare Valley and surrounding wine regions is most definitely Mediterranean so it makes sense that it was bound to appear atContinue reading “Two Excellent Offerings from Jim Barry and one from Xanadu.”

Something French and Something Australian- for your drinking pleasure.

Shatter Grenache 2021 Joel Gott teamed up with Charles Bieler to bring you ‘Shatter’ sourced from the hillside vineyards around the town of Maury, in Roussillon, not far from the Spanish border. It is a blend of 96% Grenache and 4% Syrah and co-fermented. The vines were planted over 60 years ago on pure blackContinue reading “Something French and Something Australian- for your drinking pleasure.”

Australian Pinot Noir- Part 2

You have heard me speak passionately about Australian Pinot Noir, especially from Yarra Valley in Victoria, Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and of course Tasmania. See an article I posted on December 19th      This clip dropped into my email box today entitled ’15 minutes on Pinot Noir’ talking about some of the regions I mentionedContinue reading “Australian Pinot Noir- Part 2”

Two Highly Allocated Jim Barry Releases. Clare Valley does it Again.

Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia. Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is being grown in Australia, since August 2012 no less. When you think about it, the climate in Clare Valley and surrounding wine regions is most definitely Mediterranean so it makes sense that it was bound to appear at someContinue reading “Two Highly Allocated Jim Barry Releases. Clare Valley does it Again.”

Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay 2019- an exceptional Chardonnay of sophistication, elegance, and balance.

Upon its initial release in 1998 (then the 1995 vintage) it was presented to the world as the “White Grange” making the front page of Australia’s national newspapers. A first to this day.   “Yattarna reflects Penfolds patience and continued commitment to its original goal, its very name being drawn from the local indigenous language,Continue reading “Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay 2019- an exceptional Chardonnay of sophistication, elegance, and balance.”