Vintage: 2006
Type: Blend (Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre)
Country: Australia – Barossa Valley
This wine is a blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre created by John Duval in the Barossa Valley. It has balanced flavours of red and black fruits. The understated oak on the nose is special and overall the wine is superb, hinting of southern Rhone.
It’s excellent now if decanted – but will be age very well and will taste exquisite in a decade.
Vintage: 2003
Type: Tempranillo
Country: Spain
This wine graced our table at a gastro pub in Ballam. This Grand Reserva did not disappoint. Good leathery oak and berries on the nose and a great taste of cherry and oak, tempered with the age of the wine. Recommended.
Vintage: YEAR
Type: Rioja
Country: Spain
An Excellent Rioja that won a decanter silver medal in 2005. It has an intense ruby colour with little give on the edge, which is not surprising given its age. The aromas are of dark berry and the flavour of rounded plummy fruit.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Epernay
This is a very good Non-vintage champagne. It is the Founder’s selection from Mercier and I found it full of flavour, great bubbles and and overall excellent taste. It even had a bit of the “vintage flavour” to it, making it a bit stronger and fuller of flavour than one would expect from a non-vintage. Recommended.
Vintage: 2006
Type: Malbec
Country: Argentina
Wow. After cleansing my palate of Casillero del Diablo (Chile) Malbec, I tried this Argentinian Malbec and was surprised at the difference. First of all, its colour is a gorgeous ruby-violet shade. Swirl it around in your glass to release aromas of berries and chocolate. Admire its long legs. Taste the cherries and minty finish. This is just lovely.
More info here.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Epernay
Champagne Tarlant has a claim to fame for being a zero dosage champagne. This means that when the second fermentation occurs, they do not need to add any sugar to the bottle (the dosage). As far as I’m aware, this is unique for champagne.
Of course the quality of the champagne is very good. There seemed to be almost too many bubbles which were nice and small. The taste was great, though this is not my favourite Brut. Recommended.
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Epernay
This rose champagne is a real treat. My husband (then fiance!) picked up a trio of Mercier Champagnes after our tasting at the House in Epernay. Some people think that rose wines suffer from identity crises but not this one. This one is bright and it dances to announce to your taste buds that it is a sparkling Champagne. Alas, this is not a vintage and it is made from a blend of grapes from two different years. It is still a beautiful wine to use for a toast at a special occasion at home.
Vintage: 2004
Type: Cabernet Franc
Country: Canada – Okanagan
This wine was picked up in our March trip to the Okanagan Valley. Summerhill is one of the better know vineyards in the area and this Cabernet Franc is a good representation of their wine. Very good flavours of berry and blackcurrent with some woody bouquet and finish. Recommended.
Vintage: 2004
Type: Pinot Gris
Country: France – Alsace
This wine was the oldest vintage presented from Domaine Gruss at the 3D wine tasting session. Because of its age, it has a light golden colour. Upon smelling the released aromas, hints of honey and flowers come through. This is a dry wine but it is also soft on the palate.
Vintage: 2002
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France
This wine is quite aged, which is why when the glass is leaned against white paper, the colour fades toward the rim. The colour verges on brown rather than red. The nose is very mossy and earthy; however, the taste is light and peppery (cloves). This is a fairly alcoholic wine, which is shown by the legs running down the sides of the glass after giving it a good swirl.