The Chook 2015 Shiraz Viognier, McLaren Vale
Like much of Australian lingo, Chook has forboding silliness to it. WTF is a Chook? Is it an insult? A term of affection? I went looking for clues. In Shakespeare’s England, it …
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d’Arenberg 2015 The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale
There is a long history of French influence on Aussie winemakers. This blend of Viognier and Marsanne is a paean to the classic white wines of the Rhone Valley. The name …
Shirvington 2010 Shiraz, McLaren Vale
A Winery Divorce First, there was Sparky Marquis. He was the “hit winemaker” for years in South Australia. His wines were highly coveted, especially in the states. His wines were bigger …
Tintara 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale
A great value for Cabernet, thanks to the “Chairman’s Selection” program. The bottle is packed with the kind of menthol-smooth structure that makes Cab Sauv’s a great dinner wine. Classic notes …
d’Arenberg 2004 “The Laughing Magpie” Shiraz/Viognier, McLaren Vale
Why does Arenberg sell this wine for so little? Why sell a bottle of wine for under $20 when so many people are happy to spend over $30? Even the critics …
Cascabel 2006 Tempranillo Graciano, McLaren Vale
It’s tempting to think of Australia in fairly monolithic terms. But this bbq-ready red proves how wrong that is and how food-friendly and gulp-able unexpected varieties can be when grown and …
Wirra Wirra 2006 “Catapult” Shiraz Viognier, Mclaren Vale
This wine goes for the smooth and rich style that is expected of an Aussie Shiraz. However, this one goes much deeper, with a smoky aroma tinged with floral and white …