Tim Adams Cabernet/Malbec 2006, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

This wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Malbec with maturation taking place in new and second use French oak for 24 months with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. 

This wine pours a deep purple in color with aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, fresh sage, eucalyptus, burnt sugar, smoky and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, thick, rich creamy flavours of black fruit and wood spices, dusty tannins and mild acidity. Very good weight and flavours on the finish with layers of creamy richness and persistent tannins lingering. Enjoy now but should keep improving over the next 3-5 years. Much enjoyed by all three of us who had the chance to share this bottle. Yummy, score 89 points.

  

Purchased December 8, 2012 LCBO New Release (295535) at $26.95

Wakefield St. Andrews Shiraz 2004, Clare Valley, Australia

Wow, another spectacular, mature Claire Valley beauty from the excellent 2004 vintage. I first tasted Wakefield St. Andrews Shiraz 2004 last May 2011, here in Ottawa, at the First Family of Australian Wine event. It was my favourite wine that evening, now one year older this wine is absolutely amazing. The nose is the first thing that grab you, it’s so sensuous with aromas of blackberry, plum, tobacco, soft leather, Indian spices, hint of violet and vanilla. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.4%), soft seductive fruit and spices, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, smooth texture and a bit of heat from the alcohol at the very end. What you get from this mature fragrant Shiraz is elegance, finesse, with all elements of this wine in fine harmony. An absolute joy, score 94 points.

Purchased through the First Family of Australian Wine event in Ottawa on May 2011 at $49.00

Mitchell McNicol Shiraz 2003, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

From one of my favourite regions of Australia, Clara Valley (cooler climate, better acidity and less jammy character), this 2003 Old Vine Shiraz from Mitchell is their current release. It’s nice to see that some vineyards hold on to their wines until they feel it’s drinking at its best.

This wine opens up with aromas of sweet berry fruit, dark plum, coco powder, baking spices, eucalyptus and light cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied (alcohol comes in at 14.5%), soft seductive fruit, mild acidity and silky tannins. Very good length and smooth on the finish. This is a wine with lots of detail, fine texture and harmony with oak well integrated. This mature Shiraz is a real treat, strongly recommended. Score 93 points.    

Purchased June 9, 2012 LCBO New Release (278572) at $45.95 

Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2006, Clare Valley, Australia

This wine is 100% Shiraz grapes from low-yielding vines, aged 15 months in 2/3 new American oak and 1/3 older American oak. The nose is so sensuous with aromas of blueberry, plum, cassis, Asian spice, vanilla and toasty notes. Full bodied with the alcohol coming in at 15.5%, but it is well integrated with complex flavours of dark fruit, tobacco and spices, balanced acidity and velvet tannins. What you get from this Shiraz is a big wine with lots of flavour, creamy, very smooth and above all, awesome aromatics. Could smell this all night, great wine here. Score 93 points.   

This wine was purchased November 13, 2010 LCBO New Release (737817) at $54.95

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia

The grapes which went into this bottle were 100% estate grown Shiraz from low-yielding vines, aged for 15 months in 20% American and 80% French oak. A beautiful deep violet-purple colour with aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, mint, vanilla, savoury and smoky notes. On the palate, rich and generous fruit flavours, medium to full bodied with alcohol feeling higher than the 14.5% described on the label, with lively acidity and fine grainy tannins. This Shiraz has great length on the finish with a creamy texture and flavours of ripe fruit, chocolate and savoury notes. Definitely enjoyable for those who enjoy a big and rich style of Shiraz. Score 90 points.

This wine was purchased January 21, 2012 LCBO New Release at $24.95