Shiraz
916. Charles Melton, Nine Popes Barossa Valley, 2012
Charlie Melton’s accidentally mis-translated Château-Neuf-du-Papes blend. Equal Grenache and Syrah, with 4% Mourvèdre. Mid ruby-garnet. Ripe, refined plum and ripe raspberry. Meat development to …
908. Plantagenet, Omrah Shiraz Great Southern Western Australia, 2011
A slightly unusual Aussie Shiraz that blends ripe, baked fruit with herbal notes and high quality oak. Mid-deep ruby-garnet. Breadth of cinnamon and vanilla …
893. Yalumba, The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz Barossa Valley, 2010
Dropped into Planet of the Grapes, shortly after getting back from Australia. With dinner, it felt appropriate to tuck into something Aussie, so picked …
890. Kilikanoon, Green’s Vineyard Shiraz Barossa Valley, 2009
I got the email reply from the Cellar Door team at Kilikanoon whilst at lunch, just up the road at Skillagolee. Fortuitous. Yet more …
835. Rustenberg, R M Nicholson Stellenbosch, 2010
Accidentally bought this instead of John X Merriman. This has a substantial Shiraz proportion, so not strictly a South African Cabernet blend. Deep ruby-garnet …
791. Charles Melton, Rose of Virginia Barossa Valley, 2012
In a line-up of rosés, this stood out for its style – though not a wine to my taste. Pale ruby – deeper colour …
701. Ben Glaetzer, Bishop Shiraz Barossa Valley, 2010
Overall good, but missing something – some dimension of complexity, perhaps? Deep, nearly black core, with a medium, ruby rim. Intense ‘waxy’ vanilla nose …
617. Mitolo, G.A.M. McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2005
Little room to describe this! Good, very easy to drink, but not a 95+ point wine! Deep garnet. Narrow rim. Medium+ lightly vanilla and …
South Africa: exciting, fast-changing, beautiful Cape Winelands
South Africa – a wine industry that’s 320-odd years old. Or 20-odd, depending on your point of view (OK, some poetic licence taken there …
406. Two Hands, Lily’s Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz, 2003
The wine of Christmas, and I’m glad I have a half-case of the 2004 to look forward to! Dense, dark black-purple core, with a …