One word: HOLYFREAKINGCOW! This Aussie Shiraz is huge. Even huge doesn't begin to describe it. On the nose, the aromas of dark fruits leap out and knock you back a step or two. With 16% alcohol by volume, I expected a fair amount of alcohol burn, but I didn't notice it. On the palate, this is a big, chewy wine. Good balance of flavors and acidity, with a nice touch of tannins. The finish...

... 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 ... to go, good value for money. Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz 2000 I challenge anyone to find ... earthy characters, a Shiraz full in flavour and body with sound tannin structure. Irongate Estate Sweet...

Today’s podcast is something completely different than I have ever attempted, a live recording from a podcast event held in Minneapolis on June 12, 2006. Although I am flying a bit by the seat of my pants before a live audience, I do talk about wine tasting tips, feature a ...

I picked up a nice bottle of good cheap wine : Purple Moon Shiraz from Trader Joe’s . This wine, made in Manteca California, was a pretty typical Shiraz with an atypical price tag. For only $3.99 ... this Shiraz with some Trader Joe’s Mild Fresh Salsa… boy! What a match! It was dark plum in color and lots of fruit, the “dry Shiraz” fans that sampled this wine with me loved it. I enjoyed...

Hot on the heels of the excellent 2004 vintage is the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2005, now sensibly sealed under screwcap. Deep red with purple hues, aromas of dark fruits and spices emerged an hour after opening. Somewhat subdued fleshy plum and blackberry flavours lead into a spicy oak finish. A well balanced Shiraz that is very easy drinking due to its soft tannin structure. Some people...

Another day another Shiraz, this time it is the Longhop Boomerang Shiraz 2005, which is the entry level “drink young” offering from the winery. Mere moments after opening, vibrant aromas of sweet plum and berry were present. Intense dark plum and cherry flavours are followed by a wave of spicy ... from the winery, you would struggle to find a better value for money Shiraz. Score: 89/100 Price...

Another day another Shiraz suggestion from our local Dan Murphys. The Gallagher Wines Shiraz 2003 is produced in the Canberra region of NSW, it surprised me with an intensity of flavour generally found in Barossan or Heathcote reds. Deep ruby red in colour with open and rich shiraz fruit aromas of plum, berries and spices. Intense dark fruit flavours burst into the mouth before fading nicely...

I have tasted this wine a few times now. Once blind in a line-up of 2004 Hunter shiraz and another time blind (me this time, not the wine) at a dinner in the barrel hall at the winery. Aromas of plum, blackberry and earth with a layer of cinnamon toast and vanilla oak. Highly perfumed. It’s a lovely smelling wine where the combination of sweet dark fruit, earth and spice works very well...

The 2005 vintage for Hunter Valley shiraz is looking as good as any I can remember and this is most certainly the best Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier to date. It is also the first release to be co-fermented with the viognier (5 percent) and what a difference it makes. Aged in French oak (10% new ... . Beautiful texture. Medium to full bodied. Long earthy blueberried finish. Killer value. Shiraz...

Last night we were hunting for a red which would not neccessarily require any breathing time before drinking at a restaraunt. The staff at our local bottle shop suggested the Chapel Hill Shiraz 2002 since it has already spent a few years in the bottle. Mere seconds after opening, this wine exhibited open dark fruit aromas and full bodied flavours of plum, dark berries and spices that lead...