Words from a Wine Glass

Some things frustrate me when it comes to Coonawarra shiraz.  The main one is that it seems to continually take second place behind Cabernet as the favoured red wine of the region.  I’m not saying it should be first place but people forget that Coonawarra was planted with predominately Shiraz before Cabernet.

Colour has never been an issue with shiraz from this region and it’s no different here. Plenty to lure you in.

The nose is where you start to question the price tag and I mean that in a good way.  This is where I moved on to the good bit.  Tasting it.  Sorry, I mean drinking it!

Lots of (expected) youthful characters straight up.  Black fruits and dark cherries that sit briefly on the mid palate but they hang longer and perfectly on the back palate.  Tannins are kind enough to support the fruit so as not to compromise the finish and enjoyment of this wine.

I realise I haven’t mentioned the impressive new labels and, when it comes to the contents, I don’t think it matters.  The wine is what people are interested in and this will generate a lot of interest, especially at the price.

penley.com.au

Region: Coonawarra, South Australia     Price: $20     Source: Sample

I’m not going to mince words here.  The only reason I decided to buy this wine is because I saw it posted on Instagram by the winemaker himself Tim Bailey (@bazwine).  I knew he made wine at Leconfield and I was lucky enough to meet him back in 2014.  Tim is a terrific fellow, he knows his stuff and this is a bloody good wine.

It’s an attractive, beautiful, deep, youthful colour.  Vivacious dark fruit aromas will bring you into its Grampians grasp and you’re hooked.  It offers a heap more on the palate too with rich juicy plums, blackberries and a smooth creamy oak finish that doesn’t seem to let go.

The guys that I gave a (blind) taste were mighty impressed and one was a wine rep for a well know group, another has been around booze for a heap of years.  I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that anyone who tries this wine is going to like this wine.

baileywineco.com

Region: Grampians, Victoria     Price: $30     Source: Online Purchase

I’m happy to admit to being one of the ‘older’ generation.

I saw Star Wars when it was shown in cinemas in 1977, Star Trek in 1979 and of course, Battle Star Galactica television series in 1978.  Galaxidia was the prompt that took me back to those bygone years simply, and quite basically, because of the name.  It’s doing the same to you right now, isn’t it?

However, this wine is contemporary but has been made so as not to forget the terroir and more importantly, the bones of McLaren Vale, and presented by a ‘new generation’ of the regions winemakers, Alex Sherrah.

It’s a brilliant deep colour that prepares you for what is to follow.  Lovely aromas of fresh dark fruits that exemplify the region.  Plush, lush and rich black fruits galore on the palate complimented beautifully with those typical silky McLaren Vale chocolatey notes. And the finish?  Well, it goes on for as long as the prelude to that first Star Wars movie.

This is certainly more Starship Enterprise than it is Millennium Falcon that’s for sure and it is going to survive for the next generation to look back on and enjoy.

I picked this up at cellar door and, to quote Captain Lee ‘Apollo’ Adama from Battlestar Galactica, “Boy, when you take a souvenir, you don’t screw around.”

www.coriole.com

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $60     Source: Swap

It’s not uncommon to have wines recommended to me and I don’t mind it even more so when it comes from someone in the know.

I must say though, I was not particularly enthralled when I saw the label.  In one word, dark.  ‘Woodfired’ was there for all to see.

In the glass is where the darkness continues.  It’s certainly a deep colour but with a youthful vibrancy and the aromas, Bang!  Full on, delicious, mouth-watering.

I was a little surprised when I tried it though.  I expected that punch to continue but, while it’s rich, it is still quite smooth, mellow and damn approachable.

Black fruits aplenty, a hint of licorice allsorts in there balanced out thanks also to a touch of cool climate spice/pepperiness.  All in all a nicely rounded, generous, no nonsense wine at a very reasonable price.

shop.debortoli.com.au

Region: Heathcote, Victoria     Price: $20 (retail)     Source: Retail Purchase