Yalumba Virgilius Viognier 2016 – one of my favorites.

Seductive aromas of fields of wild flowers mixed with honey, melon, and ginger draw you in. The palate reeks of elegance and finesse with an exceptionally smooth rich mouthfeel, wonderful texture and impressive depth and complexity. Seamless layers of honey, ginger, dried apricots, melon, and almonds with just a hint of stoney flint and spicesContinue reading “Yalumba Virgilius Viognier 2016 – one of my favorites.”

Yering Station Wines

This is the oldest, and original Winery in Victoria established in 1838 by the Scottish Ryrie brothers after acquiring 43,000 acres. They planted grapes and ran a cattle farm. The vineyard changed hands in 1850 and was expanded by 50 acres sourcing some of their cuttings from Chateau Lafite and, in 1859 built the OldContinue reading “Yering Station Wines”

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2019- One of the best value Cabernets you will ever drink.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge fan of the Margaret River region. Medium-bodied, elegant, restrained, and unique pretty much sums it up. This is a totally enjoyable wine that over-delivers and could just be the best-value Cabernet you drink all year. Established in 1977, a decade after Vasse FelixContinue reading “Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2019- One of the best value Cabernets you will ever drink.”

I was fortunate to have met Nick Goldschmidt, winemaker extraordinaire last year.

A great guy and amazing winemaker. Did I mention how good the wines were? He told me to look up this interview instead of writing copious notes. Here is the interview. Interview with Nick Goldschmidt Experience is his teacher: An interview with winemaker Nick Goldschmidt – My Full Wine Glass For Nick Goldschmidt, owner andContinue reading “I was fortunate to have met Nick Goldschmidt, winemaker extraordinaire last year.”

There are two types of Shiraz, one you have come to know and love, and the other, has bubbles. Welcome to diversity.

Inkberry Shiraz Cabernet Blend 2019 – over delivers! This will appeal to anyone who is a fan of Shiraz, Cabernet or Paso style wines. This is a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet and is quintessential Australian. You will not find it anywhere else. Grapes are sourced from Single Vineyard Estate fruit located inContinue reading “There are two types of Shiraz, one you have come to know and love, and the other, has bubbles. Welcome to diversity.”

John Duval- proves there is life after Penfolds Grange.

After three decades of making Grange, he left to embark on a new venture, John Duval Wines. He started with one wine- Plexus adding Entity in 2004, Eligo, a reserve Shiraz in 2005, then Plexus White, Annexus Grenache in 2013 and Annexus Mataro in 2016 and Integro. I had an incredible opportunity to attend bothContinue reading “John Duval- proves there is life after Penfolds Grange.”

Ronald McDonald House Wine Tasting. A great cause and a great evening.

Last year I was asked if I would like to be involved in the Ronald McDonald House Auction Dinner, I of course said yes- after all, it is a great cause. So, we put together a wine tasting to be auctioned off, selected the wines, and a long story short it went very well onContinue reading “Ronald McDonald House Wine Tasting. A great cause and a great evening.”

From the Cellar- December 2023.

It’s become a tradition at home to pull out something nice the day after Christmas and enjoy it with a nice meal. The focus is always the wine and not so much the pairing- this year it was vegetable Lasagna. Torbreck RunRig 2003 – something from the Cellar. This is Torbreck’s flagship Shiraz and is sourcedContinue reading “From the Cellar- December 2023.”

Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.

Huon Hooke believes ‘Frankland Estate has emerged as one of the great vineyards in Australia’ Imagine leaving Perth and driving south east for 3.5 hours with nothing but scrub through ‘towns’ you cannot pronounce eventually travelling through Kojonup, population 878, about the only major town in outback WA. You think your lost, in the middleContinue reading “Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.”

Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.

Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia- Spectacular! Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is now 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 appearContinue reading “Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.”