This outfit is a fairly new kid on the block, run by a couple of blokes that have been around the block a few times (in the nicest possible way)….namely John Duval and David Fatches. Their Songlines wines are sourced from fruit from the Coonawarra and McLaren Vale and the ...

Another 2004 Hunter Shiraz and a pretty good one at that. The 2004 vintage is quite handy in many ways. Very much a drink now proposition while you wait for your 98, 00 and 03 vintages to mature. Aromas of blackberry/raspberry, leather, chocolate, aniseed and toasty vanilla oak. A most ...

I’ll be up in the Hunter Valley next week (touch wood) tagging along with Mattinson to taste forty something 2004 shiraz. That should be interesting. I am getting my eye in this week and looking at a few in advance. Aromas of cherry/blackberry, earth, clove, aniseed and toasty coconutty oak. On the palate earthy and savoury with cherry, bramble fruit and spicy oak. Light slightly furry tannins...

The fruit used in this wine was sourced from Rising Vineyard in the Yarra Valley and uses the Dijon clone, 114 and 115. I like the philosophy behind the wines at Tower Estate which, put simply, is to take the best fruit from the region where each variety does best. To this end I have samples of Coonawarra cabernet, Barossa and Hunter shiraz, Yarra Valley and Tasmanian pinot etc..I am sure you get...

I think I am going to include lots of technical detail on how this wine is made. It’s important to gain a better understanding of the style. If your eyes start to glaze over just skip to the bottom of the review and look at the score instead. Vineyard Fruit ...

This was apparently opened yesterday, and I am told it was initially quite closed. Almost a day later it is looking markedly better. Black brooding fruits, blackberries, black cherries and black plums, deep-seated black peppercorns, spices – it is overflowing with fruits, spices and quality oak. Quite a luxurious and ...

... good Yarra Valley pinot with verve and class...

Ah the mysteries of wine (or humans). I reviewed this wine a while ago with a not so favourable outcome and dead set it really looks like a different wine tonight. We tasted this at the same time as the excellent 2004 Reserve Syrah and gave that wine a whopping ...

Saturday night saw a small birthday celebration for Gemma at a local restaraunt Rocksalt with our closest friends. As always the food and service were excellent and in an effort to ensure the evening was entirely memorable, we were drinking 100% Hunter Valley Shiraz. I have some brief notes of the wines below as the nights focus was obviously not on wine analysis. Meerea Park ‘The Aunts’ Shiraz...

On today's post, getting the low down on wine myths and information about sulfites. That and more on today's Valley Vine. The Valley Vine - January 8, 2006...