Tasting Notes For 9/9/11

“DOWN UNDER” TASTING, 9/9/11

 CHATEAU TANUNDA RIESLING 2009

                We begin our visit to the Land Down Under with this delightful Riesling.  It’s light, crisp, and refreshing, “with a bright beam of creamy pear and lemon blossom aromas and flavors” continuing through a lingering finish.  If you’re ever stuck in the Outback on a hot day – which is pretty much every day in the Outback, this will keep you cool.  88 points Wine Spectator.  $11.97.

DOMAINE TERLATO & CHAPOUTIER SHIRAZ VIOGNIER 2008

                This carries the complexity and refinement to make every day a g’day.  It “starts off with a blast of dark berry and spice, then expands into nuances of wet earth, crushed stone and coffee, the fruit rejoining the chorus on the finish” like Men At Work singing “do you come from a land down under?”  90 points Spectator.  $12.97.

YALUMBA BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2008

                A bottle of this will surely make “women glow and men plunder.”  From the world famous Barossa Valley, this lovely Aussie is “bright and juicy, with appealing focus to the raspberry, red cherry and rhubarb fruit, sailing serenely over the polished texture of the open finish.”  90 points Wine Spectator.  $14.97.

CHAPEL HILL BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2008

                The song’s chorus ends with “You better run, you better take cover.”  But you won’t want to run from this.  Aromas of raspberry, licorice, dark chocolate and vanilla lead to the same flavors on the palate, showing off in big, juicy style, and with spice notes chiming in.  It’s soft, with velvety tannins and excellent depth.  95 points Wine Advocate.  $23.97.

LAYER CAKE SHIRAZ 2009

                Next time you’re “buying bread from a man in Brussels,” wash it down with a bottle of this.  “Complex and textured well beyond what the price point would suggest, this is a full-on Shiraz, loaded with plum and black cherry fruit, and with enough tar, coffee and olive to retain your interest sip after sip.  It’s warm and velvety on the finish.”  91 points Wine Enthusiast.  $13.97.

TAIT BALL BUSTER SHIRAZ 2009

                And if that same man offers you a Vegemite sandwich, you might want to politely decline and ask for some of this instead.  “A blend of 73% Shiraz, 15% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, this provides a deep garnet color and aromas of blackberry preserves, prunes, mulberries and dried leaves with nuances of Indian spices and dusty earth.”  It’s full-bodied, rich and delicious!  90 points Wine Advocate.  $16.97.

TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ 2009

                Like so many Aussies we’ve known, this is fun, supple, and generous.  Showing “plum, blueberry and currant fruit, this red picks up welcome hints of roast meat and spice as the finish lingers easily.  Shows intensity, integrity and length.”  A beautiful wine, whether or not you’re on “a hippie trail, head full of zombie.”  93 points Wine Spectator.  $25.97.