Monthly Archives: August 2018

2015 Levantine Hill The Coldstream Guard Rubeus

What first captured my attention with this wine was, “The Coldstream Guard”.  I figured it would have some sort of history behind it and I love history (regardless of whether it had anything to do with the wine or not). … Continue reading

Posted in Red Blends | Leave a comment

2017 Serafino Reserve Chardonnay

I’m sure I’m not the only person who does not associate Chardonnay with McLaren Vale.  I don’t mean this in a bad way, it’s just that other varieties, mainly red, are more associated with the region.  Now, with this in … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay | Leave a comment

2016 Best’s Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon

There are regions in Australia that are more commonly known for their Cabernet Sauvignon than Great Western in Victoria (I was going to say more popular but that would be an incorrect assumption).  Although Great Western is known more for … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon | Leave a comment

2017 Bay of Fires Riesling

We’ve been having some bitterly cold and windy days here in Hobart over the last week.  I suppose it shouldn’t come as any surprise considering it is still winter.  Hence, I haven’t been drinking much of this variety.  Very unlike … Continue reading

Posted in Riesling | 1 Comment

2015 Taylors ‘Taylor Made’ BDX

The term BDX should tell you this is a Bordeaux blend and it is.  A very traditional one at that.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc make up the mix and they all have a say in this. Looks … Continue reading

Posted in Red Blends | Leave a comment

2016 Best’s Great Western LSV Shiraz Viognier

I am a big fan of this blend.  Côte-Rôtie should take a bow.  It has inspired a number of Australian producers to release a Shiraz Viognier blend resulting in many fine examples.  This is definitely in that category. It is a … Continue reading

Posted in Red Blends | Leave a comment

2017 Taylors ‘Taylor Made’ Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is such a fickle bugger of a thing.  It doesn’t matter what price it is, it can create so many headaches for the winemaker (not forgetting the consumer).  Let’s be honest, if it wasn’t any good they wouldn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

2010 Patrick of Coonawarra ‘Grande Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon

When this wine appeared at a tasting recently, I said nothing else to those in attendance except, “put that one aside and try it later.”  A couple of people went home but the majority stayed and they remembered what I’d … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon | Leave a comment

2017 Hughes & Hughes Chardonnay

Tasmanian varieties and styles such as Sparkling wines, Pinot Noir and Riesling have inadvertently developed a high level of popularity while varieties like Chardonnay seemed to have almost been forgotten.  Not entirely but almost. Take a whiff and flinty characters … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay | Leave a comment

2016 Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Chardonnay

I’m more than happy to admit to a weakness for Chardonnay.  The forgotten variety that sits lower on the popularity scale than Sav Blanc and Pinot Gris/Grigio.  Sadly, I can’t see this improving in the near or distant future.  It … Continue reading

Posted in Chardonnay | Leave a comment