V I N O M I K E

2008 Calulu Park Pinot Noir

2010-01-06T10:59:00.001-08:00

2008 Calulu Park Pinot Noir

Bought these a year ago from boccaccio cellars.. I was told they were made in a lighter style and a bottle opened 12 months ago certainly showed that. As I recall it had faint cherry fruit, a bit of stalky characters and some prickly spice on the finish.

However tonight...

red cherries and sweet spice on the nose. A silky palate of sweet cherry, a bit of violets and a light but delicate spice impression on the finish. A nice wine to sip on whilst chilling out.. I like it.

92pts

2009

2010-01-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

With almost no posting action in 2009 I will see if I can change for 2010.

I will just write random snippets of anything and everything that was 2009..

Beaujolais

The Beaujolais region in France certainly produces some beautiful wines which are bargains compared to their Burgundian cousins.
The wines from Morgon, and particularly Cote Du Py in Morgon are exciting (both 2007 and 2008 vintages seem to be good.) Producers I like: Jean-Marc Burgaud and Jean Foillard.

New Zealand

A trip to NZ confirmed what we already know, they make awesome Pinot Noir. Not so impressed by the Sauv Blancs.. perhaps overcropping is now starting to show through the wines.
Highlight producers: Valli, Rockburn, Rippon, Aurum (07 Mathilde Reserve.. awesome wine).

2007 Wines

Much of the 2007 vintage wines were released.. and they weren't as bad as I imagined when first hearing of the vintage (and causing me to panic and buy up on the 06 vintage... which wasn't a bad idea after all!)

A couple stand outs off the top of my head:

Shaw Smith Shiraz
Glaetzer Amon-Ra
Tyrrells Steven's Shiraz (and pretty much all 2007 Hunter Valley wines it seems) Spinifex Shiraz Viogner
Spinifex Esprit
Starvedog Lane Shiraz Viogner
Everything from Western Australia

One thing I noticed was how good WA shiraz from the 2007 vintage is.
Cape Mentelle, Plan B, Howard Park, Leeuwin Estate (Finally an Art Series Shiraz worthy of the label's prestige).. you should all be seeking these bottles! Luckily there are plenty to go around.

Well there is the first post for 2010... we will see how the year goes.

Michael

Apologies.. apologies

2009-03-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

Just writing my apologies for the lack of posting over the last few weeks... I have been busy moving out of Bridgetown, doing a one week gig in Margaret River, moving back to Perth and sorting out all sorts of bits and pieces here back home.. Managed to do an awesome round of tastings (and a not-so-awesome stretch of spending!) though and will put some up soon.

In the meantime you can read some of my impressions of Brown Hill, Xanadu, Cape Mentelle and Cullen here: http://www.winestar.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20255

Cheers!

Blue Poles Vineyard

2009-02-14T21:29:00.000-08:00

I was delighted to purchase and receive the first 3 pack offering from Blue Poles Vineyard in their efforts to make their wines more accessible to the average punter who may have not heard of or tried Blue Poles wines before.. They are from Margaret River in WA and produce Tempranillo, Viognier and a Merlot/Cabernet blend.

2005 Blue Poles Merlot/Cab Franc

Smells of dark berry, foresty spice and lead pencil. Same again in the mouth but with a soft mid palate followed by moderate and spicy tannins to close. A tidy little wine.

90pts

2006 Blue Poles “Allouran”

Merlot/Cab Franc blend. Interesting nose, not of fruit but rather coal, earth/dust, pencils and minerals. The wine changed a bit over 24 hours, showing more red fruit, some leaf characters and some bony tannin lending structure to the wine. Medium bodied and well structured with some grip and length on the finish.

91pts

2007 Blue Poles Vineyard “Hopping Stone” Tempranillo

A lovely nose of sweet red fruit, earth and a bit of spicy pepper. Smooth and slick delivery up front of red cherry and plum followed by some nice, grainy mid palate tannins which carry through to a savoury and slightly spicy finish. Fresh, vibrant and balanced – a really nice wine to drink.

93pts

2007 Veronique Grenache Shiraz Mataro

2009-02-13T22:48:00.001-08:00

Barossa Valley, South Australia; A$18

Fragrant plum and pepper on the nose, silky smooth on the palate showing lovely ripe plum, juicy dark berries, cinnamon spice and a bit of light milk chocolatey oak. Delicious drinking, top value.

92pts

2006 Austins Geelong Pinot Noir

2009-02-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

Geelong, Victoria; A$25

Full of fresh black cherries and a bit of sour plum, cedary oak and a slight tinge of ferrous
Spice. Medium to full bodied for a pinot, fresh and rich with quite taut acids finishing the wine.

91pts

2005 Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz

2009-02-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

McLaren Vale/Langhorne Creek, South Australia; A$35

Rich dark red berry and plum fruit, strawberry jam, spicy prune, cinnamon and creamy vanilla oak. Rich, thick, milky texture and a slightly hot finish. Better served at around 15-16C as the alcohol does not poke out so much.

91pts

2006 Picardy Pinof Noir

2009-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

Pemberton, Western Australia; A$40

A nice pinot which shows both fresh and developed characters. hazy cherry fruit amongst peaty, smokey surroundings finished with cedary spice and some mulchy stink. A much "browner" release than the others if that makes any sense...rustic perhaps

91pts

2004 Villa Terlina Barbera D'Asti Gradale

2009-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

Italy, (Vintage Cellars Imports); A$34

Smells sweet with a tarry dark fruit character about it – nice and different. Medium bodied with a deep core of black and red plummy fruit and finishing with slightly dusty, ripe tannins. Great with food, Great without.

93pts

2007 Picardy Merlot Cab Franc Cab Sauv

2009-02-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Pemberton, Western Australia; A$30

Great wine. Dark blackberry but with cedary and slight eucalypt and mulchy freshness on the nose. Deep, black fruits on the palate with long, velvety and plush tannins on the finish.

93pts

2005 Alamos Malbec

2009-02-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Mendoza, Argentina; A$20

A slightly stinky and funky nose - meaty and slightly leafy. The taste makes me think of black cherries and some herbs crushed together, rich in the mouth but with edges of mint and some bony tannins on the finish.

90pts

Saber-ama

2009-02-01T05:40:00.000-08:00

Ok last video I promise.... this time I needed to step up to the plate and use real champagne rather than previous attempts with beer and cava...

Cattier NV

Champagne, France; A$40

Peachy, bready, limey, foamy... I was too pleased with my saberistic efforts to conjure up a proper tasting note, nor do I have the vocabulary for sparklings to write a good one.

2007 West Cape Howe Shiraz

2009-02-01T05:30:00.001-08:00

Denmark, Western Australia; A$15

Rich aromas of dark plum and blackberry fruits, pepper and a stone fruit lift. In the mouth it has a lovely fleshy texture rich in purple-blackberry fruit, spice and fine French oak tannins. Great wine.

92pts

And I'll sneak in a couple more lovely 2007 WA shiraz in this review..

2007 Willow Bridge Estate Shiraz

Ferguson Valley, Western Australia; A$15

A lovely mix of rich plum fruit, black pepper and a slightly earthy character rounded off with coffee and cocoa characters. A solid shiraz and great value.

91pts

2007 Wise Shiraz

Western Australia; A$15

A dense wine full of peppery plum and boysenberry fruit, some savoury tomato fleshiness and a stalky tannin texture. Rich and satisfying WA Shiraz.

91pts

2006 Shaw and Smith Shiraz

2009-02-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

Adelaide Hills, South Australia; A$40

This wine went through a few phases before finally opening and showing it's true colours.. first up it looked good, nice and balanced and as you would expect not hugely expressive. After being open for about 10 hours it went a bit funny.. had a metallic edge to it and some awkward tart tannins... banged it into the decanter for another 4-5 hours and this is the note:

Smells of fresh redcurrants and blueberries, a bit of cinnamon stick and a slight menthol-like edge. Medium to full bodied it delivers a fine balance of red and blue fruit at the front then leading to a savoury and spicy finish. Elegant and smooth throughout with super fine tannins.

94+pts

More saberistic efforts...

2009-02-01T03:34:00.000-08:00

Segura Viudas Brut Cava Vintage 2003

Spain; A$20

This one sits nicely in the middle of the Brut NV ($A13) and the Reserva Heredad (A$40). Richer and more yeasty than the NV, but not quite as full bodied and complex as the Heredad. The Reserva Heredad bottle could also be classified as a lethal weapon (pictured below)

Hahn Super Dry - Skywalker Style

2009-01-29T03:03:00.000-08:00

Sabering a beer...

1996 Penfolds Grange

2009-01-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

Australia; A$560

Deep black and red fruit, raisins, lead pencil/graphite and rich mocha on the nose. Mirrored on the palate but
extra dimensions added by the superb mouthfeel - elegant yet rich, with assertive yet very fine and persistent
tannins. The wine closes with a long, lingering finish unfolding
dark chocolate, coffee and a infusion of spices of all sorts.

97pts

1998 Penfolds RWT Shiraz

2009-01-28T04:01:00.000-08:00

Barossa Valley, South Australia; A$150

A very poised, elegant and seamless wine with plenty of black and red fruit, fragrant, smooth and fully integrated oak and slightly peppery and sweet spiced tannins. Silky smooth wine - drink now for my tastes.

95pts

2007 Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz

2009-01-28T03:49:00.001-08:00

Canberra District, ACT; A$40

Smells of blueberries, white pepper and has a floral stonefruit lift. Quite elegant on the palate - blue and blackberry fruit followed by pencilly and spicy white pepper tannin kicking in quite early. Oak and viogner components well in the background. At this stage still a touch simple and lacks a little substance.
Needs at least half a day in the decanter to be drunk now or a good long sleep before it shows a little more aromatics and complexity and the mid palate fills out a little bit.

92+pts

1996 Bruno Clair "En la rue de Vergy" Morey-St-Denis

2009-01-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

Burgundy, France; A$37 from auction

Dark brown/tawny colour, earthy, lead pencilly nose. Quite fleshy and smooth on the palate, not sure what descriptors to use as I'm not used to drinking burg! But it was very pleasant and interesting - a honeyed and developed palate but still with some bouncy acid and tannin

90pts

1997 Faiveley Mercurey 1er Cru "Clos Des Myglands"

2009-01-20T05:49:00.000-08:00

Burgundy, France; A$36 from auction

Dusty nose, sour edged red cherry and plum. On the palate a bit of fleshy sour plum and cherries again, still had quite taut tannins and acid to close.

88pts

2009-01-20T00:48:00.000-08:00

2006 Principia Pinot Noir

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; A$33

Lovely aromatic nose of crushed red cherries, gamey, earthy sort of spice and floral top notes. Great smelling wine. Smooth and seamless on the palate; delivering some juicy red cherry fruits and fresh earth and spice. Something about this wine really gets me going… it just flows onto the palate in a very natural, positive sort of way. A lovely expression of Pinot Noir.

92pts

A good weekend...

2009-01-19T20:48:00.001-08:00

Reviews posted below.

Left to Right: 2007 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir, 2005 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz, 2006 Bass Phillip '21' Pinot Noir, 2001 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Shaw and Smith Shiraz.

2007 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir

2009-01-19T20:47:00.001-08:00

2007 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir

Tasmania; A$33

Clean and pure expression of pinot noir fruit character - full of deep red sour-edged cherry fruits, medium bodied, subtle oak and slightly sherberty finish. Quite a different wine to 2006 release, which was quite fuller and richer and had more oak presence. The wine was being a little bit subdued and drank well into the next day - will be interesting to track how it goes over the years.

91pts

2001 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon

2009-01-19T20:08:00.001-08:00

2001 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon

Western Australia; A$100

A complex nose of blackberries, cigar box, leather, wet earth and five star anise.
This follows right through to the palate – offering plenty of cassis, liquorice, mocha, and tobacco. Some grainy cocoa-like tannins close the wine nicely with a lovely, luxurious, velvety texture.

95pts

2006 Bass Phillip "21" Pinot Noir

2009-01-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

2006 Bass Phillip 21 Pinot Noir

Gippsland, Victoria; A$75

This is my first experience of a Bass Phillip.. and I’m convinced. I really like this wine, the best way of putting it is that it’s poised. Not a hair out of place for my palate; but I could see those looking for richer, up front fruitier style pinots as often Oz pinot is to find this wine maybe a little lacking something.. but I reckon it has a lovely mix of elegance and complexity.

95pts

2005 Shaw and Smith Shiraz

2009-01-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

2005 Shaw And Smith Shiraz

Adelaide Hills, South Australia; A$40

One of my favourite shiraz – cool blue and blackberry fruits, spicy pepper and some blue florals, stalk and a bit of menthol on the nose. Rich and luscious almost sweet natured blueberry fruit – a lovely combination of cool climate characters but ripeness. The palate marches out with a lovely texture and balance, finishing with grippy fine tannins. A smashing wine.

95pts

2005 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz

2009-01-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

2005 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz

Barossa Valley, South Australia; A$90

Deep, intense nose of dark black berry fruits, sweet spices – anise, cinnamon, chocolate, violets, espresso.. probably plenty more that I can’t pin down. Equally massive on the palate, smooth and spicy… black fruits of all sorts, liquorice, dark chocolate, coffee and lovely persistent spicy tannins. Intensity coupled with excellent structure and balance – a beautiful beast of a wine!

96pts

2001 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Red

2009-01-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

Margaret River, Western Australia; A$70

Lovely dark and brooding wine which is starting to open up nicely.. plenty of pure un restrained blackberry fruit, coffee beans and dark chocolate (but not in a barossa shiraz way...) and smoky oak. The wine is very lush and rich - a character which I suspect is starting to come through as the tannins soften and round out the wine.

94pts

2006 Ravensworth Shiraz Viogner

2009-01-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

2006 Ravensworth Shiraz Viogner

Canberra District; A$30

Quite a deep and aromatic nose of dark cherries, red plum, orange rind and spicy florals. It delivers on the palate – a very flavoursome package of red fruits, integrated oak and smooth tannins; a great mouthfeel too.

91pts

2005 Palacios Remondo La Montesa

2009-01-19T05:44:00.000-08:00

2005 Palacios Remondo La Montesa

Rioja, Spain; A$33

Intensely fragrant – a nose infused with fresh dark plums, sweet berries, ground cinnamon and nutmeg spice and anise oil. Quite a big palate with vibrant and pure dark fruits up front followed by big spread of medium grained tannins which coat and grip the mouth quite firmly – a pleasant type of astringency. A really fresh tasting wine.

93pts

sourced from www.boccaccio.com.au

2007 William Downie Pinot Noir(s)

2009-01-19T05:37:00.000-08:00

2007 William Downie Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

Yarra Valley, Victoria; A$50

Aromas of dark cherries, plum, smokey earth and dried herbs. A pretty balanced palate with lots of red cherry and plum fruits with a sour edge, leafy tannin and a slightly bitter finish. An enjoyable drink.. better with food.

91pts

2007 William Downie Morning Peninsula Pinot Noir

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria; A$50

A smooth but spicy nose of bright red cherry fruit, earth and crushed sweet brown spices. A meaty yet rather slick texture, with plenty of powerful dark red cherries, mulchy forest floor and slight game characters. Balanced, medium grain tannin finishes the wine, which is full of complexity and interest and surely to get better with a year or two.

94pts

2004 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

2009-01-19T05:14:00.000-08:00

2004 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Decanted for about four hours, it seemed to evolve a fair bit in that time - becoming more floral and complex with more air time.

Initially it had a lot more sweet up-front fruit than I expected, even veering into jammy territory. The tannins were strong yet didn’t sit quite neatly – the finish of wine being assertive and grippy and lacked the lengthy/lingering finish of some of the other Penfolds 2004 releases I’ve had such as the RWT and even the Bin 389.
Oak characters only evident on the edges of the palate, coming through as the tannins closed in. Quality evident, but definitely not a drink now proposition – needs a long sleep to come good.

91+pts

2002 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

2009-01-19T05:09:00.000-08:00

2002 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Still very primary, but showing exemplary quality of fruit. A pure and powerful core of black and blueberry fruits complemented with dark violet florals, exotic spices and still very powerful tannins providing rock solid structure. Built to last, though almost irresistible now (after a long breathe of course.)

96+pts

1999 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

2009-01-19T05:08:00.000-08:00

1999 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Lovely aroma – fragrant red and black fruits, violets, nutmeg and pepper. A powerful core of black fruit, earth, anise, some new leather and finishing with very assertive yet controlled tannins. Excellent wine

95+pts

1997 St Henri Shiraz

2009-01-19T05:05:00.001-08:00

1997 Penfolds St Henri

Honey, sweet fruit, spice, cherry jam, cedar and meat on opening but after an hour or two the palate thinned out a little bit and became a little herbal and grassy. Probably the softest and most approachable St Henri I’ve had – drink now.

90pts

1996 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

2009-01-19T05:03:00.001-08:00

1996 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

Sweet blackberry, red fruit and black cherry, mulch, cedar and hints of leather on the nose. The palate is quite restrained yet complex with dry black berry fruits and textured leathery tannins which gives the wine a lengthy finish. After a couple hours some green edges came out which added another dimension to the already excellent structure of the wine. Plenty of time ahead of it still.

92+pts

2002 Batista Estate Pinot Noir

2009-01-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

Manjimup, Western Australia; A$32

Purple-red plums, smoked meat, gum leaf and a sweet kirsch-like volatility. Savoury, meaty palate with still quite a firm backbone of sandy tannins. Quite a rich pinot filled with lots of chocolate and earth in the mid palate and a slightly sweet fruit profile. Delicious and outstanding.

93pts

2001 Penfolds RWT Shiraz

2009-01-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

Quite a mentholated, spicy nose full of black fruits, aniseed, menthol and cigar/tobacco notes. A deep core of reticent black berry and black liquorice in the mouth - still very shy at this point but also showing some wood and cigar notes followed by very fine and long persistent tannins. Really shows it's class in the long, persistent finish which unravels crushed dried herb, aniseed and french oak.

94+pts

Ata Rangi

2009-01-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

2006 Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir (pictured)

Martinborough(NZ); A$30

A lovely sweet and floral smelling wine, pure fruited with ripe red cherry fruit, sweet cola, herbs and a minerally edge running throughout the wine. Lively and interesting with a slightly tangy tannins to finish.

92pts

2006 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir

Martinborough(NZ); A$80

Awesome wine of completion and complexity - deep and richly fruited with red and black cherry and plums. A bit of an earthy and meaty mid palate, giving it a bit of masculine textural aspect. All this topped with an infusion of spices - the best is yet to come I am sure.

95+pts

Pinot and Duck

2009-01-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Location: Good Fortune Duck House, William St, Northbridge

Wine:

2006 Bay of Fires Tigress Pinot Noir

Tasmania; A$30

A really lively expression of new world pinot - bright and aromatic with lots of red cherry and plum fruit, subtle french oak and clean acidity to finish off.

92pts

2005 Springvale Pinot Noir

Tasmania; A$45

I suspect this may have been a less than perfect bottle - a rather fleshy wine with stewed strawberry characters and lacking definition.

87pts

Food:

The boneless duck is an absolute treat. The peking duck though well priced, is compromised by the thick doughy pancakes which are very average.

Either way it's a nice and casual way to enjoy the lovely pair that is Pinot Noir and duck.

The Wine and Truffle Company

2009-01-14T08:12:00.001-08:00

The Wine and Truffle Company

My most frequent purchase from this place is their uber delicious truffle oil.. a condiment that I use on... well almost anything I can.

Some pretty tidy 07 reds coming through.. notable mentions being the Merlot, Shiraz and Reserve Truffle Hill Shiraz. All good wines and good value on the lower end.

The 2008 Sauv Blanc Semillon is also worth mentioning.. perfect with a cold shellfish platter, freshly buttered bread on a warm summer evening.

Wine & Truffle Company Methode Champenoise NV

100% Pinot Noir - this sparkling is rich, yeasty and is loaded with fresh fruits.
Fresh apple, sweet pear with citrus edges seamlessly moves into a rather rich, bread-like yeasty midpalate. Finishes with a hint of sweet apple and lingering doughy nuances.

Delicious.

2 very different pinots..

2008-09-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

2005 Picardy Pinot Noir

Pemberton; 14% Alc; $38

Dark plum and black cherries, nice fleshy mid-palate texture which is followed by french oak tannin and a slightly mineraly finish. Solid, ripe pinot drinking.

93pts - One more left now!

Nanny Goat Pinot Noir

Central Otago (NZ); 14% Alc; $40

Tangy dark cherries immediately fill the mouth, medium bodied with some dried spice nuances complemented by lots of lively acid. The tangy fruit persists from start to finish, lively acid distracting the senses from the tannin structure of the wine.

92pts - My first Central Otago experience... definately an area which has a unique expression of Pinot Noir.

1998 Penfolds Middleweights...

2008-09-02T04:07:00.001-07:00

I've luckily stumbled upon a well preserved stash of some old(ish) penfolds.. Here's a couple notes as well as others you will see scattered around the site.

1998 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz

Some would say this is still a pup and that's a valid point, but for what it's worth this one is right in the groove for me. Lashings of rich black and red berry fruits, tobacco, spice and smooth mocha and vanilla oak. Solid tannins lend structure and length, though they are starting to soften up and open up the wine.

94pts

1998 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz

Aromas of blackberry, coffee, spice and vanillin oak which carry right on through to the palate. A wine that belies its age – still full of life and characterized by intense concentration of blackberry fruit which is seamlessly married into the cedary, mocha-like oak and assertive tannin. Excellent wine.

94+pts

Mike Press Wines

2008-09-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

I will just write some brief impressions of the wines:

2005 Merlot - deep blackcurrant fruit married with smooth vanilla oak, not a touch of green and anything but your generic, mass-produced light style merlot. 90pts

2007 Shiraz - Nice vibrant plum and berry fruit but mid palate needs to fill out a bit before being at its best. Finishes with a lashing of acid, grippy tannin and vanilla oak. 89pts

2005 Pinot Noir - My biggest disappointment, varietal cherry and plum fruit with green tinges. 85pts

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - tidy little wine and way underpriced. Blackcurrant and some sweet red fruit up front, varietal cabernet leafy characters and smooth oak integration. Will be a fine little number around 2011 onwards. 90pts

1997 Louis Jadot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru

2008-08-10T00:56:00.001-07:00

Burgundy, France; HK$485

Incredible colour and vitality for an 11 year old, which you'd probably come to expect from a 1er burg. An uber fleshy palate infused with gamey meats and faint crushed strawberries. A bit of sour cherry emerges with time in the glass and the wine continues to drink well over the next day.

89pts

2002 Louis Boillot Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Aux Charmes"

2008-08-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

Burgundy, France; HKD$560

Quite a lush, powerfully fruited wine. The palate also had a bit of graphite-like minerality to it but it was dark and in the background. Still quite wound up at this
stage with respect to its aromatics and overall complexity, but the mouthfeel is coming around and is quite fleshy.

90pts

Barrecas Winery

2008-08-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

A family owned and run winery in Donnybrook who make some intense, powerful reds.
Flavour extraction seems to be part of the modus operandi of this winery and they do it well. The cellar door is (wo)manned by the lovely Kelly, wife of proprietor Fillipo Barecca. The winemaker is Iolanda Radcliffe who is Fillipo's sister.
They make some pretty big reds, including a Shiraz, Shiraz Viogner, Zinfandel, Merlot-Sangiovese, Cabernet Merlot and a Barbera. Those who like their reds with a tinge of sweet fruit and rich texture will enjoy their offeings.. though I must warn that above average alcohol comes with this territory! Enjoyable, massive wines none-the-less.

2007 Barrecas Barbera

Lush, intense dark currant and blackberry fruits followed by layers of sweet vanilla oak and hazelnut praline. Totally hedonistic, delivering an almost over-the-top sensory overload with every sip. Backed by enough grippy tannin and fresh acids on the finish to lend a bit of structure to this rather unconventional Barbera.

91 pts

2007 Barrecas Shiraz

Interesting aromas of plum and raspberry fruit, spices, tomato and stalky, freshly cut stems.
Fleshy, crushed berries and savoury tomato-like flavours on the palate with subtle French oak characters in the background

88pts

2005 Barrecas Zinfandel

A massive wine – pure, unrestrained fruit showing jammy blackberries, black cherry and spicy prunes. This is followed with a giant wall of grippy, coarse grained tannins. Another year or two in the bottle for the tannins to settle down and integrate better.

90pts

2006 Barrecas Shiraz Viogner

Huge port-like blackberry and jammy strawberry and blueberry fruit profile married with dried apricots and toasted vanilla oak. A wine to drink by the glass, but enjoyable and considering its alcohol content quite balanced too.

90pts