These wines were well received at the 2005 Sydney International Wine Competition in the category of Full-Bodied red. ”I guess my personal highlight each year is that week in October when we judge the Competition.
It is a week of intense concentration but also a week of immense and memorable pleasure - to meet with and be a part of that team, thirteen Judges from five countries,” observes founder Warren Mason. This reviewer was among the team. Many more details are at www.top100wines.com.
Yalumba Shiraz, Barossa 2002
Price $26
Rating 91
There is bright ripeness in the fruit. Things like blackberry, a touch of green herbal with a medium to long finish. There is 5% Viognier in the blend.
Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos Malbec, Mendoza 2003
Price $9.99
Rating 91
It all begins with raspberry, blackberry, mint along with resounding mineral complexities. This red has a high degree of tannin, and should be paired with richer portions of well-marbled meat with cream based sauces.
Yellow Tail Shiraz, South Eastern Australia 2003
Price $9
Rating 91
The fruit is raisin-like. Imagine dried cherry, dried tropical fruit and subtle spice. This red could work with spicier food preparations.
Lindeman’s St. George Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 2002
Price $19.99
Rating 93
The big red leads with mineral and tannin driven fruit. Note complexities of
blackberry, cedar, pencil lead, all packaged with a very good length on the
palate.
D’Arenberg Shiraz “The Dead Arm” McLaren Vale 2002
Price $66
Rating 94
First there is bright plum and black cherry, hints of tar, black pepper,
followed by layers and layers of complexity.
Leasingham Shiraz “Bin 61” South Australia 2002
Price $20
Rating 93
Visualize black plum laced with cocoa powder, then more dark fruit, hints of
pepper followed by a long, complex length.
Turkey Flat Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 2002
Price $35
Rating 92
Bright black cherry, blueberry, cassis along with velvety soft tannins, this
wine is crafted to go well with many foods.
Kilikanoon Wines Prodigal’ Grenache, South Australia 2002
Price $29
Rating 96
Big, bold flavors of black cherry, jam, a hint of menthol, this red is rich
and concentrated throughout its long, complex length.
Thorpe Wines Shiraz, South Australia 2003
Price $20
Rating 95
Dark plum, black cherry and earthiness are in the middle of the palate.
Dark, earthy tar entry followed by complex, dark array of fruit, there are
many layers. A very complex red wine.
Chateau Reynella Shiraz, South Australia 2002
Price $28
Rating 96
In the nose, imagine ripe, fleshy plum with complex violet/floral overtones.
Then the sip provides blackberry, black pepper along with gentle earthiness
in the long finish.
Penfolds “Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 2001
Price $79.99
Rating 99
Nearly perfection, this bold red is rich and complex. Loads of jammy
currant, black cherry, refined leather notes, cedar, and gentle spice are
all well balanced within the perfect tannin structure.
Elderton Estate Merlot, Barossa 2001
Price $28
Rating 94
Here we find a complex array of plum, blueberry, black cherry, all in a
concentrated, long length.
Thorn-Clarke Wines “Shotfire Ridge” Shiraz, South Australia 2003
Price $16
Rating 93
The nose contains bright dried fruit, red cherry, blue berry along with
smoky notes. The sip re-enforces the dried fruit aspects, dusted by cocoa
powder, then there is plum, mild earth, finishing the long length with lots
of complex flavors.
Morambro Creek Shiraz, Padthaway 2003
Price $19.99
Rating 95
Imagine black berry and then dusty earth, plum, black pepper, all of the
above merging into a long, complex length.
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