Wines at Lou’s House

We recently gathered at Lou’s house for a celebratory dinner.  Though the house is in the last weeks of renovation Lou and Adriene were willing to host a small dinner attended by Jeannie, Nick, Jenn, and myself.  While Lou set out cheeses, prepared both fresh and steamed oysters from Prince Edward Island, and seared Yellow Fin tuna, we all drank some wine and explored the renovation.  No dinner with Lou would be complete without a Champagne starter, let alone a bottle from Weygant-Metzler, so I was thrilled to see a selection from Nathalie Falmet.  At the Champagne Day at Weygandt Wines I tried and very much enjoyed the Cuvee Brut Nature and Cuvee Le Val Cornet.

NV Nathalie Falmet, Brut, Champagne
Imported by Weygandt-Metzler.  Disgorged 12 October 2010.  There is a light color in the glass.  In the mouth there is a good balance between the yeast and subtle ripe fruit with the perfect texture from the bubbles.  Quite nice, drink this very good wine over the next several years.  Jenn was thoroughly pleased by this Champagne.

2008 Varner, Chardonnay, Bee Block, Spring Ridge Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the 3.5 acre Bee Block featuring 24-year-old vines.  It was barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts, underwent malolactic fermentation, and aged for 8 months in 30% new French oak barrel.  There was a light golden color in the glass.  The subtle nose made way to the fresh, yellow fruit with an unctuous mouthfeel that was not creamy.  The refreshing acidity led to cool flavors in the aftertaste where flavors of minerals and toast persisted in the mouth.  There were notes of “honey”.  Very well-balanced.  Unassuming and quiet, this very good wine will become even better with several years of age.

We moved on to the red wines with a Moroccan lamb shank entrée to accompany theme.  Lou felt the entrée would work with the Chateauneuf du Papes wines.  Indeed the two wines and entrée were aromatically sympathetic.  He cooked in his temporary kitchen which was relocated into his living room with his new range sitting less than 20 feet away.  Starved for counter space and burner space his almost illegally powerful new gas range surely would have let Lou sit down to taste the wines in a more timely fashion.   Perhaps the heat of the kitchen primed Lou so we started with the Godolphin and Entre Deux Meres.

2005 Ben Glaetzer, Godolphin, Barossa Valley
Imported by Epicurean Wines.  This wine is a blend of 80% Shiraz from 85-year-old vines and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from 60-year-old vines.  The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in oak followed by 14 months of aging in 100% new oak of which 20% was American and 80% French.  Appropriately enough 70% of the barrels were hogshead and 30% barrique.  For a while the aromatic nose reminded both Jenn and I of soy sauce.  In the mouth it was rich with fruit, roasted, and quite mouthfilling.  The tarter red fruit had a lot of up front flavors with the tannins resolved.  While this was a good, primary wine that could stand more aging, it was not my favorite profile.

2005 Drinkward Peschon, Entre Deux Meres, Napa Valley
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A very opaque color with more garnet than the Godolphin.  There was jammy fruit with a cedar note.  The assertive flavors had sweet spice, a well-integrated feeling, and more cedar spice in the aftertaste.  On the second night the wine was still tight but show steely, mineral flavored fruit with dark fruit notes and sweet spices in the finish and aftertaste.  Tight but not dense. This good wine will undoubtedly improve with a more age.  Jenn really liked it.

1998 Bosquet des Papes, Chateauneuf du Papes
Imported by Ginday.  Typically a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault  sourced from 45-year-old vines.  It was fermented in cement vats then aged for 12-18 months in old oak casks before resting in cement tanks before bottling.  Though it bore a similar garnet color as the Marcoux it was a little cloudier.  There was a cedar spiced nose.  In the mouth it had a more mature profile, though still in good shape, with thinner flavors in the mouth.  It has the personality of a classic Chateauneuf du Pape.  This wine does not try to be amazing, thus it is complete in what it is.  This good wine is fully mature but may be drunk over the next several years without decline.

1998 Domaine de Marcoux, Chateauneuf du Pape
No imported listed, recently acquired by MacArthurs.  Typically a blend of 80% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% other varietals sourced from 40-50 year old vines.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel with 30% aged in stainless steel and 70% aged for 3 months in old oak casks and barrels.  The vibrant color leads to a nose of riper fruit which is sweeter with gritty aromas of plum.  In the mouth there is younger blue fruit with red fruit developing and ripe tannins in the aftertaste.  On the second night it was drinking beautifully with young, fruity flavors, minerals, and an expansive, almost creamy finish.  With spices in the aftertaste the ripe tannins are fine and coat the mouth.  I would cellar this very good wine another five years.

2007 Chateau des Charmes, Late Harvest Riesling, Niagara on the Lake
This is 100% Riesling harvested in October.  Our taxi cab had arrived so I quickly sampled this wine, hence the short note.  A young nose followed by sweeter flavors showing more residual sugar than acidity.  A bit simple and tilting towards unbalanced.

Australia!

These two recently tasted bottles were quite tasty.  The Torbreck came recommended by John at MacArthurs.  I must admit I had never tried a Cuvee Juveniles as we typically pick up the Woodcutter’s Shiraz.  Jenn found a bottle of the Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier hidden amongst some plates in the basement.  Last year we had purchased several bottles but they were always shut-down and not too pleasing.  This wine has come a long way since it was last tasted in June 2011.  If you are willing to take a gamble then cellar the Terlato & Chapoutier while you drink the Torbreck.  Otherwise you should try the Torbreck.

2009 Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, Shiraz-Viognier, Victoria
Imported by Terlato Wines International.  This wine is a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier.  The fruit is fermented in cement or stainless steel and tank aged for up to 12 months.  This is starting to settle down with red fruit on the nose which continues into the mouth.  The tangy red fruit has underlying blue fruit notes, steely ink and generally presents itself with enjoyable flavors, texture, and a little ripeness.  I would cellar this another year or two at which point it should be a good drink.  2014-2017.

2009 Torbreck, Cuvee Juveniles, Barossa Valley – $19
Imported by Wine Creek.  This cuvee is made for Tim Johnston the owner of the Juveniles wine bar in Paris.  This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mataro sourced from 40-150 year old vines.  The vineyard batches are fermented separately before tank assembly and malolactic fermentation.  There is a nose of raspberry and strawberry.  In the mouth there are round, almost rich, flavors with some tartness.  The sweet fruit is round and soft but there is acidity throughout which keeps it lively.  The flavors turn dark red, a bit warm and spicy, as minerals come out in the steely finish.  Now-2015.

Derby Day Wines

Animal Kingdom, Kentucky Derby, 07 May 2011

We went to our neighbor’s house to watch the Kentucky Derby and eat a grilled dinner. While my daughter was off placing her winning bet on Animal Kingdom, I sampled some of the wines.

2003 Louis Roederer, Brut, Champagne
Robust and rich, the fruit balanced out the acidity,  good quality fizz.  This disappeared quickly.  Not Rated.

2007 Domaine La Cabotte, Cuvee Garance, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Massif d’Uchaux
This domaine was purchased twenty years ago.  Cabotte refers to huts built in fields used to store tools or provide shelter.  The domaine is in the process of converting to a biodynamic operation.  This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 20% Syrah.  It showed steely, light clean blue fruit flavors.  The Mourvedre and Syrah definitely revealed themselves.  This seemed somewhat shutdown.  Not Rated.

2008 Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
This wine offer primary, round blue fruits with some spice.    It is a polished wine that is balanced all around.  It is close to being full-bodied.  It is a good wine but not exciting.  I would cellar it a few years.  Not Rated.

2009 The House of Independent Producers, La Bourgeoisie, Merlot, Columbia Valley
This wine is 100% Merlot from the Goose Ridge Vineyard in Columbia Valley.  The project aims to showcase different vineyards throughout the state.  This bottle had a decent nose of red berries and herbs.  In the mouth it had redder fruit than the Hedges Red Mountain.  It is light to medium bodied with red and blue fruit in the mouth, more herbs, and decent finish.  It is relatively low alcohol and easy to drink.  A good budget wine.  Not Rated.

2008 Hedges, Red Mountain
This wine is a blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec.  It was the most aromatic of the reds I tasted.  It show good dark fruit and nice complexity.  I preferred it to the Stuhlmuller.  Not Rated.

2003 Torbreck, Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Several years ago I bought six magnums on closeout from Wide World of Wines.  It has been a few years since Jenn and I last tasted this wine.  This magnum was quite nice, entering maturity, and offering ample aromas and flavors.  Some olive notes, sour red cherry, and a decent finish.  Not Rated.

Some Recent Kaesler and Nashwauk, 03 October 2008

A friend dropped off some Kaesler and a Nashwauk for me to try back in October 2008. They had been open for roughly eight hours. Jenn and I are fans of some of the 2004 Kaeslers but we haven’t bought any since then. We weren’t floored by any of them as they were more disjointed than I’d like to see. I think the Bogan has the best potential. The Nashwauk and Avignon were fun to drink because of the mouth feel.

2006 Kaesler, Stonehorse GSM, Barossa Valley
A suprising light+ opaque ruby with purplish tinge. A light nose of indistinct blue and red fruits. In the mouth there is hard blue and red fruit that is a bit austere. Tart fruit comes through in the finish as the acidity ratchets up. The wine leaves the impression of being a bit warm. A total disappointment after the 2004 and clearly the worst of the bunch we tasted.

2005 Kaesler, Stonehorse Shiraz, Barossa Valley
This is medium opaque ruby-garnet. A light+ nose of dusty red fruit. In the mouth there is immediate red fruit followed by cool blue fruit, and a spicy/peppery aftertaste. There is some suppleness in the mouth and minimal tannins. While better than the GSM it isn’t too interesting.

2006 Kaesler, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley
Medium+ ruby-garnet and darker than the first two. A light+ nose of cab flavors, black currant and dark fruits, perhaps mildly more interesting than the first two. Cab flavors in the mouth, that are more restrained but still provide suppleness.

2005 Kaesler, Avignon GSM, Barossa Valley
Light to medium opaque. A light nose of gritty, bright red fruit and oak toast as it warms up. In the mouth there is immediate, weighty, supple dark-blue fruit. It then morphs into sweet, cinnamon accented fruit. The acidity comes through in the aftertaste along with the heat. The disjointed finish is the major flaw which is a shame because the flavors are good.

2006 Kaesler, The Bogan, Barossa Valley
This is very opaque and clearly the darkest of them all. A light nose of creamy, blue fruit and black currant. In the mouth there is darker purple/blue fruit. The mouth feel is not as creamy as the Avignon. There is an underlying structure of strong, drying tannins and some puckering acidity. Rather young.

2006 Nashwauk, Shiraz, McLaren Vale
Medium+ purple/ruby/garnet, very dark. A light nose of gritty blue fruit. In the mouth there is supple, creamy fruit, clotted cream like in sweetness. The flavors are of overt blueberry. There is a long finish and aftertaste.

1999 Torbreck, Steading and 1998 Viking Wines, 15 September 2008

Here are two more Barossa wines I found on sale in September 2008.

1999 Torbreck, The Steading, Barossa Valley – $20
The color is medium+ opaque garnet. There is a light nose of gritty blue fruit that has brightness to it. In the mouth there is bright red/blue fruit with a type of tartness that reminds me of Smarties. As the berry fruit flavors fade cinnamon and spices develop. There is a restrained acidity that comes through on the finish. There are almost no tannins, a decent aftertaste, in this still tight wine. As others have remarked there is a Rhone quality to it. I opened this bottle just to see what I thought of it so I did not decant off the sediment. A solid buy at this price but not at $40+ and I felt there was plenty of good drinking life to it.

1998 Viking Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley – $15
A color of medium+ garnet with an older ruby core. A light to medium nose of savory blue fruit and olives. In the mouth there is dark fruit that is sweet and weighty with some black tea flavor at the end. The flavors slowly taper to the finish. There are still fine tannins. Jenn enjoyed this wine and I can see why since she is a salt and olive fan. Great price. Drink now.

Six Aussies Including the Tasty 1998 Maxwell Grenache, 09 August 2008

Jenn and I decided to shake things up and try a number of Aussie reds. The 1998 Maxwell Grenache was by far our favorite and a very good value. After that, but a notch down are the St John’s Road and Warrenmang. I wouldn’t recommend the Yalumba, Hazyblur, nor the Rockford.

2005 St. John’s Road, Blood and Courage, Shiraz, Greenock, Barossa – $20
Very opaque purplish color. A light to medium intensity nose of gritty blue-red fruit. Tart blue fruit, slightly salty, in this medium bodied wine. The acidity is strong, causing puckering, that is wrapped up with a good finish and strong aftertaste. Young. A nice wine that doesn’t have the elegant of Solitary Block Shiraz from Greenock.

2003 Yalumba, Handpicked Shiraz Viognier, Barossa Valley – $20
Medium plus opaque purple with a hint of garnet. A light to medium intensity nose of candied red and purple fruits. Tight, dark fruit, toasty oak flavors, some acidity, and fine noticeable tannins. It never developed into much after three days. Our least favorite of the bunch.

2002 Warrenmang, Estate Shiraz, Pyrenees, Victoria – $20
Medium plus opaque ruby-purple, younger looking than the Hazyblur. A medium strength nose of bright, black gritty fruit, with some eucalyptus. In the mouth there was bright, tart fruit. The acidity is up front followed by a decent finish and aftertaste with some fine tannins coming through.

2001 Hazyblur, Barootra Shiraz, South Australia – $16
This came from 8-year-old vines. Medium plus opaque garnet. A nose of tart red fruits and some rubber/tar component that eventually blew off. In the mouth there is savory, dark red berries, enlivened by high-toned acidity. The flavors drop off to reveal minimal tannins, a simple finish and aftertaste. It did not change much on the second day. Second least favorite.

1998 Maxwell, Grenache, McLaren Vale – $25
Medium garnet in the glass. A medium nose of gritty, mildly sweet blue fruits. In the mouth there are cool, blue fruit, minerals, with good supporting acidity. The finish is refreshing. It still has textured tannins. This was by far our favorite and drinking beautifully right now. The nose makes one interested and the flavors do not disappoint, well-balanced.

1996 Rockford, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley – $19
This was fermented in open-top slate tanks and aged for two years in American and French oak hogsheads. Medium garnet in the glass with a core of darker purple color. A light to medium nose. There are red and blue fruits at first, a slight amount of minerals then the acidity comes through. There are some cedar/wood flavors in the finish, followed by a tart fruit finish. This isn’t that complex and there are still some new oak tannins. Kind of boring.

Three Recent Australian Releases

It is hard to shift gears from all of my French wine drinking to Australian wine drinking. To satisfy my curiosity I thought I’d give these recent releases a go.

2005 Izway, Mates, Barossa Valley – $29
This is a relatively new venture from Craig Isbel and Brian Conway. Craig Isbel is a winemaker at Torbreck. He worked a vintage in Beaujolais in 2002. Their first barrel of wine was produced in 2003. The Mates is a 60% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, and 15% Mataro blend. The Grenache comes from 80 year old vines. I believe the Grenache and Mataro is from Greenock and the Shiraz is from Ebenezer. The 2004 vintage saw no oak and the 2005 tastes that way. Medium, opaque in the glass. A sweetish nose of brighter red berries and raw meat. In the mouth it is bright with flavors of red and dark berries and no noticeable tannins. There is a bright attack of fruit, followed by some juicy acidity then a fading finish. There is no underlying complexity and tastes like a wine to drink over the next year or two. It drank great on the second day and I preferred it over the Craneford. I’d personally wish there was more acidity to focus the fruit.

2005 Craneford, Quartet, Barossa Valley – $27
The Quartet is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 8% Shiraz, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It is matured in American and French oak for 16 months. Medium-dark in the glass, more opaque than the Izway. There are ripe blueberries in the mouth, some juicyness, and no noticeable tannins. It is a medium-bodied wine that on the second day developed a nose of raspberry fruit roll-up. The fruit roll-up is meant to convey sweet fruit with a touch of sourness. Not my style of wine, I’d rather drink the Izway or the Solitary Block.

2004 Solitary Vineyards, Solitary Block Shiraz, Barossa Valley – $55
Solitary Vineyards is another young project started in 2003 by Australian Domaine Wines. The goal is to produce single varietal wines from the best parcels of fruit they can find. The wines are produced by Neil Pike at Pikes Winery. This grapes for this wine come from Greenock Block 560. It was aged in 2-3 year old French barriques for 18 months. The 2004 is the first vintage of the Shiraz. Production for any of their wines is limited to 300 cases. A medium purple/ruby in the glass with a calm nose of red berries and spice. A medium to full-bodied wine with dark berries, creamy, and full in the mouth. There are very fine, elegant tannins and a slight amount of acidity. This wine is so easy drink! The first couple of glasses slipped down before I mustered the strength to save some for the next day. The wine is concentrated in its primary flavors and needs a number of years to develop more complexity. If you are looking for a wine to enjoy now, you can find something more interesting for the price. Otherwise buy this to drink in 5+ years.

Enjoy,

Aaron

Leighton House Selections from February 2006

These three selections were chosen for February 2006.

2004 Hare’s Chase, Red Blend, Barossa Valley
Hare’s Chase was started by Winemaker Peter Taylor and businessman Michael de la Haye. In 1998 they bought an old, dry grown, 40 acre Barossa vineyard. The vineyard contained small, scattered patches of Shiraz along with a number of other varieties. In revitalizing the vineyard they primarily grafted Shiraz while leaving small amounts of the other red varieties. The goal of Hare’s Chase is to produce wines styled after Cote-Rotie in Hermitage, France. This wine is a blend of 70% Shiraz, 16% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Tempranillo, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American and French oak. Dark ruby in the glass. Sweet, black fruit on the nose. A well-balanced Barossa wine that is not a fruit bomb. Drink now but can cellar a few years.

2003 Bodegas Juan Gil, Juan Gil, Jumilla
Bodegas Juan Gil was founded by Juan Gil Gimenez in 1916 when he built a warehouse in the middle of Jumilla to produce wine. Juan Gil is the higher quality selection. This wine is 100% Monastrell aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Dark in the glass. A restrained nose of toasted nuts. Fat on the tongue with expanding dark fruit flavors, short finish, and long after taste. Drinkable now but let breath one to two hours or hold for one year.

2003 Main Divide, Pinot Noir, Canterbury
Since the early 1970’s the entire Donaldson family has involved themselves in their wineries. They own the two New Zealand wineries Pegasus Bay and Main Divide. Their second tier wines are bottled under the Main Divide label. Main Divide is the local name for the Southern Alps. The goal of Main Divide is to produce distinctive, vibrant wines with lively fruit. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir aged 12-18 months in used French oak barriques. Crimson in the glass. An aromatic nose of cherries and chocolate. Round, ripe fruit on the balance with a good finish that provide for a satisfying drink. Drink now.

Leighton House Selections from January 2006

These three selections were chosen for January 2006.

2002 Famiglia Bianchi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Bodegas Valentin Bianchi has been producing wine for over 70 years. Mr. Valentin Bianchi arrived from Italy in 1910 and by 1928 had started a small winery known as El Chiche. Almost 80 years later the Bianchi family is still involved in running the winery. This wine is a blend of 85% Shiraz, 5% each Malbec, Merlot, and Petite Verdo aged 12 months in 90% French and 10% American oak, with 33% new, 33% one and 33% two-years old. A light nose of red berries. Blue and black berries on the palate that are integrated with soft tannins and good acidity. A balanced wine to drink now. Drink upon opening bottle or up to 24 hours later.

2004 Tait Wines, The Ball Buster, Barossa Valley
Tait Wines was founded in 1994 when brothers Michael and Bruno Tait, and Bruno’s wife Michelle bought the property. Their father, Giovanni Tait, migrated to Australia in 1957. He was a cooper for the Seppelt winery. Tait Wines attempts to mix old and new winemaking techniques to produce full-flavored wines. The crushing, fermenting, and punching are all computer controlled. The grapes are then pressed using a traditional basket press. The Ball Buster is their least expensive offering. This wine is a blend of 74% Shiraz, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Merlot aged 12 Months in re-shaved French and American oak. Medium to dark fruity color in the glass. Black fruit on the nose. An explosion of well-integrated fruit and oak on the palate of this massive wine. Drink now or over several years.

2004 Thorn-Clarke, Shotfire Ridge, Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Thorn-Clarke wines are owned by David and Cheryl Clarke nee Thorn. Both families have a long history in the Barossa Valley. Cheryl’s family has been grape growers since 1870. David’s family has been mining gold from the Barossa Goldfields for generations. The Thorn-Clarkes have been producing wine for two decades. The Shotfire Ridge range of wines all come from the Karbiningie vineyard and receive special oak maturation. This wine is 100% Shiraz aged 12 months in 40% new French and American oak and balanced in 2nd and 3rd fill hogsheads. Medium to dark-purple in the glass. A slightly aromatic nose of cherry and strawberry candy. The fruit explodes with fine tannins following. Drink now or wait one year.

Leighton House Selections from December 2005

These six selections were chosen for December 2005.

2002 Craneford Wines, Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Craneford was founded in 1978 and subsequently sold three times until purchased by the current winemaker John Zilm. John moved the winery to his home town where he also started a café in the building. He attempts to produce wines with more balance by having less alcohol and using less wood. This wine is 100% Shiraz aged in 85% French and 15% American oak. Medium-garnet in color. Lightly aromatic, mature nose. Very round, blackberry, and leather on the palate with very, very fine tannins. Excellent drinking for now.

2004 Jip Jip Rocks, Shiraz, Limestone Coast
The Bryson family has been involved in agriculture in Southern Australia for 150 years. They have long realized the potential of the Limestone Coast in producing good quality Shiraz. They established the Jip Jip Rocks vineyard in the early 1990s. They aim for good integration of fruit flavors and oak. This wine is 100% Shiraz. A rather dark, purple wine with a nose of meaty blackberries. Bright round fruit on the palate with good grip and acidity. To be drunk now rather than cellared. Open one to two hours before drinking.

2002 Killibinbin, Blend, Langhorne Creek
Killibinbin Wines entered the market in 1997 by producing 400 cases of Langhorne Creek Shiraz. The wine sold out in six weeks thus launching the careers of the founders Wayne Anderson and Liz Banks. The wines are styled to be balanced and fruit forward. The grapes are sourced from parcels in Langhorne Creek then sent north to the Barossa Valley for production. This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Shiraz aged in new and used American and French oak for 12 months. Ruby in color with black fruit on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, chunky, and rich it makes for fine drinking now. It would be interesting to compare with 2002 Bleasdale Frank Potts which is also from Langhorne Creek.

2002 Koonowla, Shiraz, Clare Valley
Koonowla was established for farming and grazing in the 1830s by Colonel Barker. It was sold to John Tothill in 1892 who subsequently planted vines and built a commercial winery, making it one of the six original wineries in Clare Valley. A fire destroyed both the stock and cellars causing Koonowla to slowly switch to profitable grain and wool production. In 1991 Andrew and Booie Michael purchased the winery, restored the winery, and planted new vines. This wine is 100% Shiraz aged 18 months in 50% American and 50% French oak.

Quinta Vale do Marie, Lot No. 1 Reserve Port, Duoro
Christiano van Zeller is the former owner and director of the famous Quinta do Noval estate. He is now bottling ports under the medieval spelling of his family name, De Zellaer. This month’s selection is sourced from his own vineyards in Quinta Vale da Mina and Quinta Vale Dona Maria. All of his ports are foot trodden in lagares. This wine is a blend of Tinta Amarela, Rufete, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, and Sousão aged in wood vats for 24 months. Aromatic, medium-bodied, with a charming slightly hot finish. Will throw sediment. Open 24 hours ahead then consume within a further 48 hours.

2003 Reilly’s Wines, Old Bushvine Grenache-Shiraz, Clare Valley
Reilly’s Wines was started as a hobby of winemaker Justin Ardill in 1993. The winery is named after Hugh Reilly, a shoemaker from Ireland who arrived at Clare Valley in 1856. He promptly built a stone cottage which today is used as the cellar store. The Grenache grapes are sourced from the 1919 block of bushvines. The Shiraz grapes are sourced from the Watervale Ridge Vineyard planted in 1999. This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Shiraz aged in 75% American and 25% French oak for 15 months. Aromatic red berries on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, with sweet cherry flavors. Wonderful to drink now.