Domaine Tournon Shay’s Flat Vineyard Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia

Deep opaque purple in color, the majority of these Shiraz grapes was aged in French oak for 12 months with a small portion of the remaining wine aged in tanks; alcohol comes in at 14%.

This wine opened up with aromas of blackberry, exotic spices, forest floor, saddle leather and gamey notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with layered dark fruit and peppery flavours, rich almost creamy texture, fresh acidity and light tannins. Excellent depth of flavours on the finish with loads of dark fruit with leathery, earthy and peppery notes lingering. This is a flavourful and complex cool climate Aussie Shiraz, closer in style to a northern Rhône Syrah. Quite compelling, love the texture of this Shiraz, score 91 points.

Purchased January 19, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (311480) at $29.95

Taltarni Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia

This wine is crafted with 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot in a supporting grape at 6%, with maturation in a mix of new to 4 years old French and American oak. Alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened with an exotic maturing bouquet of blackberry, plum, blackcurrant, Moroccan spices, smoke, and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, tasty, structure is entirely elegant and very smooth with soft seductive fruit and gentle wood spices, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, not very complex but the flavours are very nice and the texture is pure velvet. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a lot of charm and although it is ready to enjoy, I wouldn’t suggest you wait more then 2-3 years of additional cellar time. There are endless pairing possibilities, including sipping on its own. Well made and very enjoyable. Score 90 points.

Purchased November 24, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (940692) at $24.95
 

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia

Made by the famous Rhône Valley winemaker Michel Chapoutier, this cool climate shiraz made with low yielding vines and opened up with aromas of black fruit, tar, saddle leather, black pepper, dried herb de Provence and black pepper notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied (alcohol comes in at 14%), dry, layered dark fruit and smoky flavours, balance acidity and fine structured tannins. A great length on the finish, with concentrated and robust flavours. This Shiraz is built for the long haul, I would say 4-5 years for the texture to soften up and all elements of this Shiraz to fully integrate. Excellent addition to any cellar, great potential, scores 92 points.

Purchased November 10, 2012 LCBO Vintages New Release (290874) at $51.95

Mount Langi Ghiran Kneebones Shiraz 2007, Grampian, Victoria, Australia

This cool climate Shiraz opened up with blackberry-blueberry fruit, cassis, spice cake, dried fruit subtle, mint and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with alcohol coming in at 14.5%, harmonious well balanced texture, spicy crushed wild berries flavours, lively acidity and fine grained tannins. The finish is long, juicy, very smooth and delicious. This is a very enjoyable, mature wine with a great savoury personality. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased January 19, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (295527) at $21.95

Tar and Roses Shiraz 2010, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia

The fruit originated from both Heathcote 86% and Strathbogie Ranges 14%, maturation taking place in French oak (24% new) for 12 months and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

Awesome nose on this Shiraz with aromas of black cherry, ripe wild berries, black pepper, smoky, chocolate savoury spices, light mineral and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, creamy with great structure and style, fresh acidity and dusty tannins. This wine’s finish is rich, creamy, tasty with a very good length. Lots of everything on this Shiraz, but not overdone. Love this wine, very good value, returned to purchase 2 more. Score 90 points.

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (282731) at $21.95

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008, Grampians/Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Another fine wine from Seppelt. This Shiraz opens up with aromas of blackberry, cherry, stewed plum, raisins, cedar and spicy notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, with layered spicy dark fruit, creamy oak texture, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. This Shiraz finish is long, spicy, with mouth caressing rich flavours and spiciness. Here is a well made, well balanced wine, which managed to achieve both power and elegance quit well. I have never been disappointed by Seppelt yet, and there Chalambar Shiraz 2008 is quit delicious. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO New Release (029488) at $24.95

Best’s Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2009, Victoria, Australia

I love aromatic, elegant cool climate Shiraz and this one opens up with aromas of plum, black currants, dates, black pepper, spices and floral notes. On the monthfeel, medium-full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 14.5%), lighter fruit and sweet flavours in mid palate, lively acidity and well integrated tannins. This Shiraz finish is long with juicy red and black fruit and vanilla oak flavours lingering. Excellent balance, intensely flavourful and unlikely to disappoint. Score 92 points.  

Purchased May 26, 2012 LCBO New Release (222323) at $23.95 

Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2008, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia

The region of Strathbogie Ranges is located northeast of Melbourne, in an elevated and cooler climate, characterised by ancient granite boulders. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks using cultured yeast, maturation was done with  40% American oak and 60% French oak in all new barrels. It also spent some time maturing in older 300 litre hogshead barrels. This Shiraz is dark purple in colour and opens up with aromas of dark plums, blackberry/blueberry jam, burnt sugar, eucalyptus and savoury notes. On the palate, full bodied (with alcohol coming in at 15%), rich and creamy mouthfeel, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. This wine finish is long, slightly sweet with flavours of stewed fruit, eucalyptus, pepper and savoury notes lingering. This wine is better served slightly chilled, around 16-17 C, its gives the wine a more creamy mouthfeel, tames the alcohol and improves fruitiness. Definitely lots of toasty oak on this shiraz, but not over done, overall very good. I know that this wine will appeal to many of of my friends. Recommended to people who enjoy this style, and at this price a good value.  Score 89 points.

This wine was purchased February 4, 2011 LCBO New Release (265967) at $19.95