Sydney and I opened this bottle - another from wine producer Yalumba in the Barossa Valley (Australia) - for dinner after a low key, yet, productive Saturday. I poured it in the decanter to let it breathe for 30 minutes (as recommended by Wine Folly). We drank it with Sydney's home-made chicken pot pie, followed by a second glass while watching Wes Anderson's debut film, "Bottle Rocket".
Variety: Grenache
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Vintage: 2018
Producer: Yalumba
Look:
Intensity - Pale
Color - Ruby
Viscosity - Medium
Smell:
Intensity - Medium/High
Fruit: Dried cranberry
Herb/Other: Red pepper; Bell pepper; tobacco
Taste:
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium/High
Alcohol: 13.5% - 15%
Body: Medium
Notes: High alcohol (14.1%) contributed to jalapeño aftertaste. Bright red fruit upfront, ripe strawberry. Next came some acidity, but was quickly taken over by mild tannins that stretched its legs for a very long finish. This was a complex wine with many different elements coming into play. It would be hard to take away one major thing away from it, making it a fun wine to taste if you feel like you're grabbing the same wine every time from the store.
Winemaker Notes: A medium-deep red with purple hues, this is an expressive wine. The scent is invigorating in its vibrancy - earthy and herbal with bright sunny cherries. To taste, thew wine is restrained in its focus, complexly spiced with a wild cherry spin. It radiates red fruit purity. The tannins are fine with cool granite characteristic hovering just under the surface.
T&T Rating: 8.8/10
Texas is a hot spot for hockey. The farm team for the Dallas Stars play in Cedar Park, just north of Austin. I went with my family to watch a game on Friday.
We didn't get the win, but you can't lose with $2 domestic beers.
Variety: Shiraz
Shiraz is a signature grape variety that is grown in Australia, also known as Syrah in Europe. The grape originates from the Rhone Valley in France and is considered as one of the great noble black grapes. They are primarily used for producing rich and fruity, full-bodied varietal red wines but are also excellent when blended with other grape varieties. The wines made from Shiraz tend to display aromas and flavors of dark fruits, pepper, mint and chocolate.
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Yalumba
Look:
Intensity - Medium
Color - Ruby
Viscosity - Medium/High
Smell:
Intensity - Medium/Low
Fruit: Licorice, black currant
Herb/Other: Butter
Taste:
Sweetness: Off-Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Alcohol: 11.5-13.5% (Actually 14%)
Body: Medium/Full
Notes: The first 1/3 is young bright red fruit, think young strawberry, also plum. The second third is followed by a paring of medium acid and tannins, not overwhelming, but noticeable. Someone who is accustomed to Napa Cabernet Sauvignon might feel disappointed by this. But it does have a very long finish, the tannins are mild, but buzz around for over two minutes.
Winemaker Notes: A moreish Barossa Shiraz that is approachable, full-bodied and fleshy. Deep and brooding with aromas of dark fruits, red spices, anise and ripe cherries, the palate flows with even texture towards a soft finish.Enjoy with sweet potato and black bean burgers or a lamb roast with all the trimmings.
T&T Rating: 8.1/10