New releases. Late May 2006

An assortment of new release reds, at an in store tasting, on a fine autumn's day.

13 wines tried. From the $A18 to $A70 price range.
8 wines sealed with screwcap. 5 under cork, 1 of which was cork tainted and replaced mid tasting.
The cork is dying - at least in Australia.

The shiraz based:

Mr. Riggs The Gaffer McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005. (screwcap) Approx $A20
Deep purple, mulberry juice nose. A little simple in the mouth - though with notable malt and bitter chocolate. Smooth finish. Good. 15.5/20

Mr. Riggs Shiraz Viognier 2005. (screwcap) Approx A$25
Dried apricot nose, slightly metallic in the mouth, nice soft and approachable, pleasing texture, ends with a slight bitterness. Good. 16/20

Torbreck Barossa Valley Woodcutter's Shiraz 2005 . (screwcap) Approx $A19
This was totally different from any other shiraz on the day. Juicy, piercing, sour cherry, raspberry, plum nose. An undercurrent of blackcurrant and leafiness. Cherry juice in the mouth, lovely grip. Bitter chocolate and chewy tannin finish. Very good. 17.3/20 Drink now - 2008

Torbreck The Juveniles 2004. (Grenache, Mourvedre, Shiraz) (Cork) Approx A$30
Average and unexciting. Confection, boiled lolly nose, I thought it bretty.
Good. 15.5/20

Torbreck The Steading 2003. (Grenache, Mourvedre, Shiraz) (Cork) Approx A$35
Shellac, spice and a savoury edge. Sweet and malty before a fine smooth finish.
Good. 16.5/20.

d'Arenburg d'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache 2004. (cork) Approx A$20
Strawberry and confection like. Juicy and sweet in the mouth, before quite good drying tannins. Medium full.
Good. 16.5/20

Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2003 . (cork) Approx A$20
Deep purple. A more restrained nose than the above examples. Mulberry and spice. Sweet attack, before mid palate spice and a building and expansive finish. Very good. 17.5/20. Drink now - 2016

Majella Coonawara Shiraz 2003. (screwcap) Approx $A33
Terrific wine - the best of the shiraz tried on the day.
Sweet vanillan oak, juicy and good acid in the mouth, again vanilla, but in concert with lovely spice and juniper berry. Good length and pleasing structure. Very good - excellent. 18+/20. Drink now - 2016

Elderton Command Shiraz 2002. (screwcap) Approx $A70
Deeply coloured. There is a silky smooth and sweet vanilla on the nose and in the mouth. Loads of oak, lots of juicy sweetness and even more smooth vanilla throughout. Lingering. A caricature, albeit a very good one. 17/20.

The cabernet based:

O'Leary Walker Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. (screwcap) (?Clare Valley) Approx A$18
Deep deep purple, a dense sweet, almost, blackcurrant cordial nose. There is also a floral element. Juicy sweet and ribena like in the mouth. Filmy tannins and a slightly hot finish. Good 16.5/20

Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 . (screwcap) Approx $A30
Pleasing and well made example. Good blackcurrant fruit - less fruity than the O'Leary Walker, and less herbal than the Majella. Granular and earthy in the mouth. Builds and expands in the mouth. Well handled soft tannins. Very good 17.5/20

Pierro LTCf (cabernet merlot with a touch of cabernet franc) Margaret River 2003. (cork) Approx $A33
First bottle corked!
Second bottle - leafy, blackcurrant, earthy - typical margaret river. Lovely sweet fruit and a hint of animal about this. Firm, chewy tannins. Very good. 17+/20

Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. (screwcap) Approx $A33
The best of the cabernet based wines - by a long way.
Leafy, herbal blackcurrant. Lean, elegant and tight. Muscular and long. chewy, drying, slightly granular tannins.
Very good - excellent. Built for the long haul, but a pleasure to drink now. 18+/20

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