| |
|
|
|
Leeuwin
Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 1998, W.A
Quite European in style with a mix of blackcurrant fruit and fragrant
tobacco spice with reasonable length. (Irl: SN) (UK: Domaine Direct+44
(0)20 7837 1142)
|
€G
|
88
|
|
Leeuwin
Estate Art Series Chardonnay 1999, W.A.
This must be one of the finest Australian Chardonnay I’ve ever tried. It
has a beautiful taut Burgundian style nose of nut and minerals and
intense, but again taut or tightly knit palate of orange and peach fruit
with butter plus nuts with brilliant structure and length in the manner of
a Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru and we know how much they cost, so this
is actually good value. (Irl: SN) (UK: Domaine Direct+44 (0)20 7837
1142)
|
€G
|
93
|
|
Leeuwin
Estate Art Series Riesling 2001, W.A.
As with all the Art series, this has elegant style with chalky mineral
notes complimenting the lemon and lime peel fruit. (Irl: SN) (UK:
Domaine Direct+44 (0)20 7837 1142)
|
€F
|
90
|
|
Leeuwin
Estate Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay 2001, W.A
Well enough made chardonnay with classy, clever use of oak that adds
weight and doesn’t swamp the fruit, but a big step down from their
‘Art Series’. (Irl: SN) (UK: Domaine Direct+44 (0)20 7837 1142)
|
€F
|
88
|
|
Magpie
Estate The Election Shiraz 2001 (sample)
Intense dark berry and cherry fruit with nutty, toasty oak and good
length. (Irl: u/n) (UK: Noel Young +44 (0)1223 566744)
|
€G
|
(91)
|
|
Magpie
Estate 'The Gomersal' Grenache 2000
Quite brown mature wine with leathery, mature fruit that could be taken
for a Rioja Reserva style. (Irl: u/n) (UK: Noel Young +44 (0)1223
566744)
|
€G
|
89
|
|
Miranda
Varietal Series Durif 2002
Liquorice,
pepper and spice – a lot of wine for the money. (Irl:n/I) (UK:
Bibbendum +44 (0)20 7449 4110)
|
€B
|
87
|
|
Miranda
Varietal Series Merlot 2002
A
tank sample but shaping up to be that rare thing ad Aussie merlot worth
drinking! (Irl: n/i) (UK: Bibbendum +44 (0)20 7449 4110)
|
€B
|
(88)
|
|
Miranda
Varietal Series Riesling 2002
Elegant, clean citrus with a more rounded style than some. (Irl: n/i)
(UK: Bibbendum +44 (0)20 7449 4110)
|
€B
|
87
|
|
Mt
Horrocks Clare Valley Cordon Cut Riesling 2002
Once
again in 2002 Stephanie Toole has fashioned a stunning, sweet riesling
that exudes honey, apricot, candied lemon peel and a luscious sweetness
that is cut by crisp acidity. (Irl & UK: Liberty – info@libertywine.co.uk)
|
€G
|
94
|
|
Penfolds
St Henri Shiraz 1998
The St Henri style is less in your face than some of the Penfolds stable,
as it doesn’t use new oak. Consequently its fruit seems less pure and
focused, but there are compensating spicy, fudge like notes in an almost
Mediterranean manner that many will enjoy. Very good length. (Irl: FD)
(UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€G
|
91
|
|
Penfolds
2001 Eden Valley Riesling 2002
Another
good Riesling off the Eden Valley production line with its lemon and
grapefruit tangy fruit, a little mineral and good length. (Irl: n/i)
(UK: Southcorp +44 (0)20 8917 4600
|
€F
|
89
|
|
Penfolds
Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 1999
Coonawarra is relatively cool so this has a more elegant, but still ripe
feel to it with good varietal blackberry and pepper fruit plus structure
and good length. (Irl: FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600).
|
€F
|
90
|
|
Penfolds
Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1999
The Bin 28 style is always rich ripe fruit and spice with the sweet
vanilla character of American oak and this is no exception with its cherry
and liquorice flavours and very good structure and length. (Irl: FD)
(UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€F
|
90
|
|
Penfolds
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1999
Poor
man’s grange this is sometimes called and well it might be as it’s a
very classy wine with an enticing mix of cherry, blackcurrant and cedar on
the nose plus an intense and structured palate with tannin wrapped around
rich dark fruit. The best value of Penfolds’ top range wines. (Irl:
FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€G
|
92
|
|
Penfolds
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
A powerful wine that always uses 100% new American oak and it shows on the
nose where it mixes with the cassis like fruit. As expected it has a big
palate with black cherry, blackcurrant, and a ripe tannin framework that
reins it in and prevents it getting blowsy. Needs some time yet. (Irl:
FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€G
|
92-93
|
|
Penfolds
Grange 1997
Tasted twice and while this is an excellent wine, the mother of all Aussie
reds has, for this critic at least, been overtaken by some of its
neighbours. There’s a mass of cherry and blackberry fruit, peppery spice
and distinctive oak all sitting in different parts of the glass, as it
were. Give it another five years and it’ll grow into a fine wine. (Irl:
FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€G
|
94
|
|
Penfolds
Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2001
An
historic brand that’s on good form here and is sourced from Coonawarra
and Mclaren Vale hence the cherry and chocolate character typical of the
latter allied to some peppery blackberry fruit.
(Irl:
FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€E
|
87
|
|
Penfolds
Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2001
Big, slightly old fashioned style that made Australia’s name in the
eighties with rich butterscotch like oak and full tropical fruit notes.
Many will enjoy but it seems clumsy and unsubtle now. (Irl: FD) (UK:
Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€D
|
86-87
|
|
Penfolds
Rawson’s Retreat Chardonnay 2002
Very typical of its type with tropical fruit and a touch of cream and
toasty oak. Sound, if a little too sweet for my taste. (Irl: FD) (UK:
Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€C
|
82
|
|
Penfolds
Rawson’s Retreat Merlot 2001
Tastes
of merlot with its light raisin and plum fruit and mid length palate. (Irl:
FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€C
|
84
|
|
Penfolds
Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauv. 2001
Black
cherry, cassis and oak on the nose with a palate that is ripe but tannic
showing cassis and chocolate fruit. ((Irl: FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe
+44 (0)20 8917 4600)
|
€E
|
89-90
|
|
Penfolds
Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2002
Barrels
that didn’t quite get into Yattarna form the basis of this very classy
unfiltered, barrel-fermented beauty. Very new wave with elegant orange or
peach cool climate fruit, buts and butter plus cream, from lees stirring
and a zesty finish. (Irl: FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44 (0)20 8917
4600)
|
€E
|
89
|
|
Penfolds
Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2001
Classic blackberry and pepper nose echoed on the palate with a little
cherry too and fairly good length. (Irl: FD) (UK: Southcorp Europe +44
(0)20 8917 4600)
|
€E
|
88-89
|
|
Peter
Lehmann Eight Songs 1998
Sadly, I don’t know anything about the grapes or name of this wine but
as for taste it delivers pretty meaty, tar, prune and pepper scented
fruit. (Irl: CM) (UK: Peter Lehmann Wines UK +44 (0)1227 731353)
|
€G
|
91
|
|
Peter
Lehmann Mentor 1998
70%
cabernet and unsure of the rest of this supple cassis scented but quite
big and meaty red. (Irl: CM) (UK: Peter Lehmann Wines UK +44 (0)1227
731353)
|
€G
|
90
|
|
Peter
Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1997
Impressive
array of flavours and concentration with cherry, plum, prune and leather
on show, but without the exceptional quality of some vintages of this
wine. (Irl: CM) (UK: Peter Lehmann Wines UK +44 (0)1227 731353)
|
€G
|
90
|
|
Pewsey
Vale The Contours' Museum Release Riesling 1997 (Stelvin)
A
perfume grenade on the nose creates a sense of shock and awe. Petrol,
honey, mineral. Lime zest, lemon peel, texture, length and much more –
all that a great Riesling should be. (Irl: CD) (UK: Negociants UK +44
(0)1582 462859)
|
€G
|
95
|
|
Pierro
Vineyard Chardonnay 2000
Rich
nuts and butter flavour but oak is over the top for me. (Irl: DW) (UK:
Milton Sandford +44 (0)1628 829449)
|
€G
|
87-88
|
|
Pierro
Vineyard LTC 2001
LTC means a little touch of chardonnay in this otherwise semillon /
sauvignon blend that shows plenty of ripe gooseberry fruit and a tangy
zesty finish. (Irl: DW) (UK: Milton Sandford +44 (0)1628 829449)
|
€C
|
88
|
|
Plunkett
Reserve Shiraz 2000
Rich
cherry and menthol fruit, quite elegant. Not imported into Ireland as far
as I know, but with a name like this it should be. (UK Alliance Wine
Co. Ltd. +44 (0)1595 506060)
|
€E
|
89
|
|
Salena
Estate Petit Verdot 2001
Spicy dark fruit with liquorice and medium body and length. (Irl:
u/n) (UK: Patriache: +44 (0) 20 7381 2023).
|
€? |
85
|
|
Saltram
Metala Shiraz Cabernet 2001
Very dark colour and fruit character with good length. (Ir: Gb) (UK
Berringer Blass +44 (20)88438411)
|
€?
|
89
|
|
Scotchmans
Hill Norfolk Vineyard Pinot Noir 2001
Elegant cool climate new world style with perfumed cherry fruit and spice
from oak. Good length. (Irl: u/n) (UK: Orbital Wines +44 (0)1858
570600)
|
€u/n
|
90
|
|
Scotchmans
Hill Sutton Vineyard Chardonnay 2000
Very
smart, Burgundian style wine with honey, butter, nuts, mineral character,
structure and length. (Irl: u/n) (UK: Orbital Wines +44 (0)1858 570600)
|
€u/n
|
91
|
|
Stefano
Lubiana Riesling 2001, Tasmania
Quite
stunning wine with a gorgeous array of citrus fruits on nose and palate
including grapefruit, lime and orange with structure and fabulous length.
It can only get better and probably merit a higher score. (Irl: u/n)
(UK: Noel Young +44 (0)1223 566744)
|
€G
|
93
|
|
Tahbilk
Marsanne 2001 Goulburn
Some interesting lemon fruit but seems lighter than in previous vintages.
Perhaps time will fill it out. (Irl: CM) (UK: P. Lehmann Group)
|
€C
|
86
|
|
Tahbilk
Reserve Shiraz 1996
Interesting to try a relatively mature Australian wine as it has intense,
ripe, almost Port like fruit, prunes, plum, good length and leathery spice
suggesting age. (Irl: CM) (UK: P. Lehmann Group)
|
€G
|
90
|
|
Torbreck
Descendant 2001
David Powell’s take on Côte
Rôtie
perhaps as it’s basically shiraz with 7% viognier thrown in, which adds
perfume, pear, apricot and elegance and to a wine with intense dark fruit,
ripe supple tannin and excellent length. (Irl: OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt
+44 (0)20 7735 6511)
|
€G
|
92
|
|
Torbreck
Juveniles 2002
Named
after the Paris wine bar and also appropriate, as it’s a young unoaked
style made from 60% Grenache, 20% mourvedre and 20% shiraz. There’s
quite intense black pastille fruit and a spicy black olive character and
good length. (Irl: OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt +44 (0)20 7735 6511)
|
€G
|
90
|
|
Torbreck
Marsanne/Roussanne/Viognier 2001
Attractive Rhone like character of nuts, honey and red apple skin with mid
to good length. (Irl: OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt +44 (0)20 7735 6511)
|
€E
|
87
|
|
Torbreck
Run Rig 1999
Made
from shiraz wines that are over a century old. Torbreck’s flagship is as
good as its reputation. Fine spict, French oak adds polish to a glorious
mix of smoked bacon, cherry and blackberry fruit with fantastic texture
and persistence. (Irl: OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt +44 (0)20 7735 6511)
|
€G
|
95
|
|
Torbreck
The Factor 2000
100% shiraz, from very old vines, this beauty has a stunning nose of
smoked bacon and ground black pepper with a mass of rich dark fruit and
cured meats on the exceptionally long palate. Big, but balanced. (Irl:
OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt +44 (0)20 7735 6511)
|
€G
|
94
|
|
Torbreck
The Steading 2001
A
similar Rhone style blend to the Juveniles cuvee but with oak, which adds
a little weight, focus and length. (Irl: OB) (UK: Thorman Hunt +44
(0)20 7735 6511)
|
€G
|
91
|
|
Torbreck
Woodcutter’s Red 2001
Maker
David Powell suggests that this shiraz based wine is like a young St.
Joseph and with its blackberry fruit, smoked bacon spice and firm-ish
acid. He has a point.
|
€E
|
89
|
|
Wakefield
Estate Riesling 2002 (stelvin)
Lovely orange (seems like a trait of the Watervale district to me) and
lime fruit. More filling than some but still fresh and with good length. (Irl:
KW) (UK: Stratford’s +44 (0) 1628 810605)
|
€C
|
89
|
|
Wakefield
Estate Semillon 2001
Heavy on the oak at the moment, which I always feel is a mistake with
Semillon. Time will tell. (Irl: KW) (UK: Stratford’s +44 (0) 1628
810605)
|
€C
|
86
|
|
Wakefield
St. Andrews Riesling 1996
Age
in this Clare riesling adds a glorious element to an already high-class
wine. This has a stunningly attractive nose lemon zest and mineral with a
little kerosene and palate with lemon peel flavours, very good length and
acidity that keeps it all focused and very long. (Irl: KW) (UK:
Stratford’s +44 (0) 1628 810605)
|
€F
|
93
|
|
Wakefield
St. Andrews Shiraz 1999
The
top end of the Wakefield range and it’s easy to see why. This has a
wonderful nose with ripe bramble fruit, pepper and smoked bacon plus
creamy cassis on the palate, terrific length and acidity that keeps it in
balance. (Irl: KW) (UK: Stratford’s +44 (0) 1628 810605)
|
€G
|
92
|
|
Wirra
Wirra Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Good
fresh herbaceous grapefruit and melon fruit.
|
€u/n
|
88
|
|
Wirra
Wirra Hand Picked Riesling 200 (Stelvin)
Good
and citric but lighter than the best of them. (Irl: CD) (UK: Negociants
UK +44 (0)1582 462859)
|
€u/n
|
88
|
|
Wirra
Wirra McLaren Vale Shiraz 2000
Pretty intense, plum, cherry with a touch of menthol fruit plus prune and
oak. Good length. (Irl: CD) (UK: Negociants UK +44 (0)1582 462859)
|
€u/n
|
89
|
|
Xanadu
Merlot 2000
Good
ripe varietal fruit, which is an achievement for merlot in Ausrtralia. It
shows plum, berry and oak character. (Irl: OB) (UK: +44 (0)1342 318282)
|
€F
|
88
|
|
Xanadu
Shiraz 2000
Attractive
ripe, rich, peppery fruit. (Irl: OB) (UK: +44 (0)1342 318282)
|
€D
|
87
|
|
Yalumba
Eden Valley Viognier 2001
Delicious apricot and nut character supported by good length. (Irl: CD)
(UK: Negociants UK +44 (0)1582 462859)
|
€u/n
|
90
|
|
Yalumba
Hand Picked Riesling 2001 (Stelvin)
Chalky mineral character mingles with lemon and lime zest fruit. (Irl:
CD) (UK: Negociants UK +44 (0)1582 462859)
|
€u/n
|
90
|
|
Yalumba
'The Virgilus' Viognier 2001
Yalumba’s flagship viognier does them proud with its intense varietal
character showing dried apricot, pear and but that is fleshed out by
creamy oak adding to the innate richness and length. (Irl: CD) (UK:
Negociants UK +44 (0)1582 462859)
|
€G
|
|
