"G'day In A Glass"


The Australian Wine Bureau blew through Seattle last week with 250 wines to taste. Here are my standouts. Notes such as "Wow," "Buy," "Yum," and "Bingo!" were omitted, leaving some barely legible scribblings behind. This was a commendable event (combined trade & public), that benefited "FareStart," a Seattle not-for-profit that trains homeless persons for culinary careers.

Several winemakers were on hand and besides leaving with various tins of Aussie spices, a Didgeridoo CD and a stuffed Koala bear, I left with a newfound Australian acumen. I discovered that my new favorite Aussie region is Margaret River (figures -- it’s the farthest southwest region on the continent known for its Bordeaux-style blends. Hellooo Qantas!)

Following is in no particular order. Prices are suggested retail. Saw a few screwtops on some nice bottles. No Marquis Philips or Paringa and my taste, unfortunately, ran towards the higher $$s. (Mataro for Mourvedre at the wineries discretion.)

’99 Elderton "CSM" Barossa Cab-Shiraz-Merlot, $35. Had this in the afternoon seminar, which was refreshingly enlightening - the seminar, that is. Family winemaker Cameron Ashmead poured. Cedar, dark cherry, plums and violet and subtle anise, long finish. These 100-year-old vines have roots forty feet down - first time I’ve heard that.

’99 Elderton "Ashmead" Barossa Cabernet $62 (okay, "wow")

’99 Elderton "Command" Barossa Shiraz – This was pure, warm and luscious liquid chocolate. Lots of folks hovering over this wine. $62

’00 Kooyong Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir. $28 There were several PNs at this tasting struggling to get through the big, red boys. I wouldn’t bank on Aussie PNs just yet, although this one stood out. More Oregon characteristics than Russian River. And I don’t think we can go to Burgundy.

’00 Grosset "Gais" Clare Valley, Cab Franc/Merlot $40

’99 Brookland Valley Margaret River Cab/Merlot $30 – Seminar wine, Malcolm Jones poured. Black currant, olives, new leather (Nordstrom shoe department), Bordeaux overtones. This was my Margaret River epiphany as I would gravitate towards other MR’s in other tastings. This is a great example of "terrior." Truly distinguishable.

’01 Clonakilla "Hilltops" Shiraz $19

’00 Green Vineyards "Old Forties Block" Heathcote Shiraz $34

’01 Turkey Flat "Butcher’s Block" Barossa - Mataro, Shiraz, Grenache $26. Perfect blend of earthy muscle. A bloody meal on its own.

’98 Cape Mentelle Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon $32

’00 Charles Melton "Nine Popes" Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre $38. Big, bold black fruit and berries (huckleberries?), almost oversweet, yet meaty. This is what turned my pearly whites crimson.

’99 Tim Adams Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $20

’99 Tim Adams Clare Valley Shiraz $20, warm, black fruit. (Okay, "yum" to both Tim Adams wines)

’00 Yering Valley Reserve Yarro Valley Pinot Noir $40. Seminar wine. Rhubarb, orange spice and peel, faint sulfur, tawny color. Shoulder-shrugger.

’98 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz. A raspberry, black cherry, plum and earthy spice layer cake.

Grant Burge "Holy Trinity" Barossa Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre $30

Grant Burge "Meshach" Shiraz $130 (very good, but 130 bucks? )

’02 Jacob’s Creek Grenache Shiraz $9 (okay, "Buy" - great QPR)

’98 Yalumba "Hand Picked Tri Centenary Vines" Barossa Grenache $30. Fabulous. Beautiful.

’00 Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet $30 (My Cab of the Night)

’97 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet $45. Outstanding. There she is again, that Margaret.

’00 Cascabel McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre $23

‘01 Oliverhill "Brady Block" McLaren Vale Grenache $20. Black & white pepper, bold and jammy, much like her sister Shiraz. Okay, another "Wow." Had this the next night and it had pretty much evolved over 24 hours into its own skin. Loved it.

’99 Reilly’s Clare Valley Cabernet $25. Another heart surgeon, Justin Ardill, puts his heart and soul into winemaking. Bold and extracted, very good QPR.

’01 Tait "Basket Pressed" Barossa Shiraz $28

’02 Torbreck "Juveniles" Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro (unoaked) $28. This is quite an accomplishment for a no-oak wine. Savory, black fruits, slate and spices. Winemaker David Powell (quite the character) poured. Torbreck wines were a standout all around. Powell is partial to Rhône Valley varietals and the results are stunning.

’00 Torbreck "Factor" Barossa Shiraz $85

’01 Torbreck "Steading" Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro $35

’99 Penfold’s Bin 707, Cabernet $80, my last wine, but certainly not least, of the night. Dark berry fruits, taut with lingering tannins (herbal, spicy nose), long shelf life. Predictable and dependable crowd pleaser.