A full-bodied shiraz with lots of personality from South Australia Region.
Technical Data: 100% Shiraz. Aged 20 months in old and new French and US oak. the grapes for this wine comes from 6 different sub-regions in South Australia, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Coonawarra.
Description: Deep garnet color. Blackberry aromas and cloves entwined with spices and oak. A Full-bodied Shiraz expressing flavors of ripe blackberry and plum, black pepper, some spices and hint of chocolate backed up by very soft and supple tannins as well as oaky flavors.
Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well a cheese called Époisse Berthaut from Burgundy in France, that suggestion of pairing was made by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in.
Score: 8/10.
Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 10 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.99
A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with lots of personality and texture from South Australia Region. Predominantly from Adelaide Hills sub-region.
Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir. Aged in second and third use French oak for a few months. Twist off cap.
Description: Ruby red in color with garnet hues. Surprising nose expressing aromas of sweet cherries well mingled with chocolate, liquorice, toast and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, jammy, chewy and textured with soft refined tannins. The flavors this wine displays are an echo to its nose. Quite delightful long lasting finish.
Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well an Extra Mature Aged Cheddar Cheese, the one I tried it on with, was from the brand Fiscalini from California, that suggestion of pairing was made by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in. I love this wine by itself, what can I do, truth be told, I am a Pinot Noir Lover, but I must confess, this is the first time, Australia impressed me so much, with one of their Pinot Noir! The wine will pair well with roast duck and Turkey as well. Remember that tip when Thanksgiving will come!
Score: 9/10.
Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 5-6 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.39
A dry Riesling with lots of personality from South Australia Region.
Technical Data: 100% Riesling. Stainless steel only.
Description: Bright pale gold color with greenish hues. The nose shows aromas of pear, lime, citrus and lemon backed up by minerality. Crisp and refreshing Riesling, intricate palate displaying minerality as well as fruity/flowery flavors. The wine exudes of jasmine, lime, pear and grapefruits flavors laced with minerality and a nicely balanced acidity. Long lasting finish which make you cry for more.
Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well the French cheese called Morbier as suggested by my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in. I love this wine by itself, and of course, it could do wonders with some spicy Asian/Indian dishes or even oysters and shellfish. Serve chilled.
Score: 8/10.
Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 5-6 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.99
A rich dry wine from South-Eastern Australia. This wine is kind of reminiscent to me of an “old loved gloved” you put on your hand…Something dear you are glad to go back to once in a while, you’ll understand what I mean exactly, when you’ll try it, try it out and you’ll adopt it!
Technical Data: 100% Shiraz, parcels of this wine were matured for 14 months in seasoned oak..
Description: Deep garnet red color with purple hues. The nose expresses aromas of black fruits and plum laced with bitter chocolate, black pepper and just a tiny hint of oak. A very rich fruits forward and soft palate for this full-bodied Shiraz loaded with blackberry and blackcurrant flavors backed up by cedary notes, black pepper, leather and oak. A bit herbal at the very end. Silky smooth tannins.
Food Pairing & Service: Personally I would match this wine with “hearty” dishes.
Score: 7/10.
Ageing Potential: up to 5-7 years.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $12.99
An affordable and quite surprising blend, uniting two full of characters and bold grapes for a full bodied and dry wine from South-Eastern Australia.
Technical Data: 60% Shiraz blended with 40% of Cabernet Sauvignon, small parcels of this wine were matured with oak for 9 months total.
Description: Deep ruby red color with purple hues. An intense nose with black fruits aromas and ripe plum intertwined with roasted coffee and spices. Quite a supple mouth. Full bodied wine, rich in flavors, ripe plum, black cherries, some spices and cedary notes, a slight touch of dark chocolate and a hint of roasted coffee. Smooth velvety tannins for a extremely smooth palate. good length on the finish.
Food Pairing & Service: Personally I would match this wine with “hearty” dishes.
Score: 7/10.
Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk in its youth.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $12.99
An affordable nice everyday Chardonnay from South-Eastern Australia.
Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, small parcels of this wine were matured with oak for 10 months total.
Description: Light bright gold color. Fruit forward nose, for this nice and simple Chardonnay, with aromas of white peach and key lime followed by a hint of grapefruit and orange blossom. The palate is crisp and refreshing, for a medium-bodied wine expressing flinty flavors, as well as, a load of both green and stone fruits, with also reminiscent flavors of pineapple and lime zest at the very end of the palate and a nice medium acidity thru and thru.
Food Pairing & Service: This wine will come true to you with seafood and shellfish, mild fishes and pasta in white sauce. Also a delectable one to sip with your summer salad or picnic or to enjoy by a hot summer day on the patio.
Score: 7/10.
Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk in its youth.
Price as seen on DC shelf: $12.99
Flavorful and juicy Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia.
Technical Data: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 5% of Petit Verdot. Aged in 100% French oak.
Description: Deep dark red color. Intense nose with blackberry aromas and spices. The palate is infused with plum, spices, blackberries and smoky flavors. Nice supple tannins and long lasting smoky/coffee aftertaste.
Food Pairing & Service: Pair well with beef, lamb even chocolate!
Score: 8/10
Suggested Retail Price: $15.99
A tasty Australian Riesling.
Technical Data: 100% Riesling. This wine was matured in stainless steel to maintain varietal purity.
Description: Pale straw yellow color with greenish hues. Fresh and aromatic, the nose exhales bright lemon blossom aromas enticed with a spicy notes. The full flavoured palate has quince and citrus flavors supported by an underlying mineral element. Balanced and clean with a good length.
Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to Aperitif, Asian dishes and salad. Serve chilled.
Score: 8/10
Suggested Retail Price: $10.99
An affordable Australian fruity Pinot Noir with a good lenght to enjoy with your everyday meal.
Technical Data: 100% Pinot Noir. A small proportion of this wine was aged for 6 months in barrel.
Description: Deep plumy red color. The nose shows initial aromas of plum and dark cherry fruit with notes of spice. A soft cedar wood touch is also present from the barrel aging. A medium bodied palate with balanced plum and cherry flavors followed by soft and supple tannins. An elegant pinot noir with a lengthy, savoury finish.
Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to Asian Cuisine, Duck & Game, Lamb.
Score: 7/10
Suggested Retail Price: $10.99
A nice Australian Chardonnay, perfect to drink everyday with your lunch!
Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. A proportion of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation whilst ageing in old oak, with the rest matured on lees in tank.
Description: Bright straw yellow color. Tropical and stone fruit aromas with slight creamy oak nuances showing through and hint of citrus. The tropical and stone fruit flavors follow onto the palate developing hints of peach and citrus. Soft and creamy oak provides and elegant backbone to the wine’s long and elegant finish.
Food Pairing & Service: Ideally suited to Aperitif, Creamy style Pasta, Seafood. Serve chilled.
Score: 8/10
Suggested Retail Price: $10.99
