Jacob's Creek Reserves Shiraz 2006, South Australia

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

Jacob's Creek Reserves Pinot Noir 2007, South Australia

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

Jacob's Creek Reserves Riesling 2009, South Australia

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

Rosemount Estate, Diamond Label Shiraz'08, Australia

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

Rosemount Estate, Diamond Label Shiraz Cabernet'09, Australia

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

Rosemount Estate, Diamond Label Chardonnay'08, Australia

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

Thorn Clark Terra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon Importer's Reserve '04, Australia

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

Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Riesling'04, Australia

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

Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Pinot Noir'03, Australia

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

Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Chardonnay'04, Australia

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

The Little Penguin Shiraz'03, South Eastern Australia

An affordable Shiraz, perfect to drink everyday, nice with BBQ meats!

Technical Data: 100% Shiraz, aged about 6 months in oak barrel depending of the vintage.

Description: Deep ruby red color. Notes of dark chocolate, herbs and fresh berries on the nose. Flavor are echoing the aromas, wine focused on dark sweet fruit, some spices and herbs with a touch of toastiness. good length on the finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Perfect to accompany hard cheeses and anything on the barbecue, from red meats to blackened fish.

Score: 7/10 Within the category of cheap everyday Australian wines, I do prefer this brand to Yellow Tail!

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

The Little Penguin Chardonnay'04, South Eastern Australia

An affordable Australian Chardonnay, perfect to drink everyday with your lunch!

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, aged about 6months in oak barrel depending of the vintage.

Description: Light straw yellow color with goldy hues. The nose is refreshingly fruity. The palate shows Tropical flavors with hints of guava, ripe melon and sweet pineapple leading into zippy fresh chardonnay fruit. Creamy finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Perfect to accompany fish, summer salads, and soft cheeses. Serve chilled.

Score: 7/10 Within the category of cheap everyday Australian wines, I do prefer this brand to Yellow Tail!

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Yellow Tail Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, South Eastern Australia

Intense and cedary Shiraz - Cab blend from Australia.

Technical Data:60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in oak prior bottling

Description:Deep purple color. Intense nose loaded with plumy aromas, spice and oak. On the palate, ripe dark fruits flavors with plum, blueberry and cassis laced with cedary spiciness, smooth tannins and a toasty dark chocolate aftertaste.

Food Pairing & Service:Best paired with Lamb and Beef, or all red kind meat, might be a nice pairing with game too. Drink now up to 2-3 years

Score:6/10 Too spicy for my taste that's why it has only that score.

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

Yellow Tail Merlot, South Eastern Australia

A spicy Merlot from Australia.

Technical Data:The grapes for this Merlot were sourced from selected vineyards based on specific quality parameters and machine harvested at optimum ripeness then quickly transported to the winery for processing.

Description:Deep Garnet Color. Ripe and rich berry aromas. On the palate lots of berry and plum laced with black pepper, soft tannins, a touch of tobacco and a toasty chocolate finish. Very smooth finish. Quite a peppery Merlot!

Food Pairing & Service:Food Friendly wine. Try it with lamb, char-grilled salmon/tuna, roast poultry, Italian cuisine, especially pasta with meat sauces or even with soft cheeses. An easy drinking wine designed for immediate consumption.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

Yellow Tail Reserve Chardonnay'04, South Eastern Australia

Creamy style Chardonnay from Australia not too oaky.

Technical Data:100% Chardonnay gently aged with French oak for 6 months prior to bottling.

Description:Pale straw yellow color. Fragrant nose for a creamy style Chardonnay, showing pear and apple aromas at first followed closely by tropical fruits and a hint of oak. On the palate, the wine exudes abundant fruity flavors like pear and apple but also melon and guava, a nice touch of vanilla, spice and oak with buttery undertones. Quite smooth and lingering on the finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Its fresh and fruity palate make it the perfect match for spicy Asian foods or Spicy Indian food. Will be a good compliment also with Seafood. Drink now up to 3 years.

Score:8/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio'05, South Eastern Australia

A crisp and grapefruity Pinot Grigio from Australia and the well know Yellow Tail.

Technical Data:100% Pinot Grigio aged in stainless steel only.

Description:Pale golden color. Grapefruity at first on the nose, this wine exhales also green apples aromas with a touch of pear. On the palate, zesty and crisp wine showing grapefruit aromas as well as citrus fruits and pear. A bit of grassiness and lime flavors on the lingering finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Enjoy this Pinot Grigio served chilled as an aperitif or with seafood, white meats and any pasta sauce of your choice. A good sipping wine for party. An easy drinking wine designed for immediate consumption. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

Annie's Lane Riesling'04, Mc Clare Valley, South-Eastern Australia

Dry and smooth Riesling from Australia. Quite nice to pair with a wide range of food.

Technical Data:: 100% Riesling from South-eastern Australia. Unoaked.

Description:Bright pale golden color, with vibrant green hues. Its nose is expressing classic aromas from Clare Valley, lots of citrus and lime enticed with apricot, a hint of apple blossom and some minerality. On the palate, generous, dry and smooth, this elegant medium-bodied wine shows limey citrus flavors, pineapple and cream, fine and zesty lingering finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Easy drinking wine, enjoy as an aperitif or as the perfect accompaniment to Thai food, Asian fusion, chicken salad, seafood pasta or a dozen oysters.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$15.98 in MD

Rosemount GSM'01, McLaren Valle, Southern Autralia

Premium wine from the Epicurean Collection of the famous Rosemount Estate from McLaren Vale, Australia. Rich, dense and spicy yet smooth and not weighty!

Technical Data:Named GSM after the composition of its blend, Grenache ( 50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvedre(10%). Aged for 18 months in American oak barrels.

Description:Bright inky-red color. Concentrated and powerful nose expressing dark ripe fruits laced with spice. Generous fruity flavors such as plum, blackberry and raspberry infused with spice, woody notes and earthiness. This wine is full-bodied yet not weighty at all, rich, concentrated, focused and almost chewy. Dusty long finish enticed with soft tannins. This wine is all about balance, generous fruits from its Syrah part, spice "kicks" from its Grenache softened by the Mourvedre which add some structure and balance to the blend .

Food Pairing & Service:Try it with beef, lamb, venison and game, grilled sausages, mushroom dishes or matured cheeses. Up to 10 years cellaring potential.

Score:8/10

Suggested Retail Price:$26.99

Milton Park Chardonnay'03, South Eastern Australia

Technical Data:100% Chardonnay. Only a small amount of the wine was age few months in oak.

Description:Bright golden yellow color. Intense fragrant bouquet with lots of pear, peach aromas and a hint of oak. The palate is soft, medium-bodied focused on tropical fruits, apricot, peach and pear with toasted almond notes. The wine has a subtle creamy finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Will accompany well seafood, Asian dishes, creamy pasta, roasted chicken and even grilled salmon. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$8.99

Thorn-Clark Terra Barossa Cuvee'03, Barossa Valley, Australia

A very dry blended red wine, a little too dry for my taste!

Technical Data:Blended wine made from 60% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Mourvedre aged on oak.

Description:Inky red color. Intense fruity nose focused on dark fruits like plum and cassis laced with oaky notes. The palate is very dry and spicy showing lots of plum, cassis, candied cherries, toastiness and cedary notes. Leathery mouthfilling and firm tannins on the finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Will accompany well heavy pasta dishes, red meat and roasted chicken.

Score:6/10

Suggested Retail Price:$11.99