Water Wheel Memsie Shiraz shines again

Tasted the latest Water Wheel Memsie Shiraz tonight (07) It is aged in old oak (two to three year old hogsheads) so the oak influence is subdued. It is full of berry flavours, very smooth texture and ripe Bendigo Region earthy tannins. It's a substantial wine...crafted not thrown together from leftovers as so many"second" labels are and is well priced to boot. $AU12 is about the going price.. We had it with simple char grilled mid loin chops (well trimmed) some very new potatoes and some broad beans tossed in garlic..all from the garden. (The vegies that is not the chops) Fantastic. But better to keep the rest of the dozen for a year.

A Passing Cloud that's welcome to linger

Drank a 2005 Passing Clouds Shiraz (Reserve) from the Bendigo region last night and it was a cracker!!!! Lovely berry aromas...well handled tannins,some bush fire smoke in the background and a long, long finish.Graeme Leith has produced a good one here. Hand picked and hand crafted...fantastic.

Can a bottle of wine console market loosers?

As I browse wine lists around the world I found this in "cash strapped" London.
"Cue Le Bouchon Breton" is a new French brasserie, Champagne and shellfish bar in Spitalfields market.It is handy to all those "no tomorrow" bankers and can accommodate 320 drinkers and diners. There's a 2001 Petrus for 2,200 pounds ($3,553) if you are feeling lucky.Or optimistic!

Torzi Matthews "Schist Rock"

By sheer chance I found some of this "sold out" gem at Flagstaff Cellars at the top end of William St (ie Melb) It is such a gem. Anyone else a fan?

Kurtz family wines a hidden Barossa gem

Opened a 2005 Shiraz from this Vineyard tonight. WOW. Strong tannins ..open the rest in at least 6 years..plums...Barossa earth...gentle oak..aroma 20 minutes after opening was stronger than the lavender from the garden...and more enticing. Look for it folks.

Absolute stunner of a wine

The 2007 Torzi Matthews "Schist Rock" shiraz was tasted again last night. It just keeps getting better and better. Unfortunately it seems to sold out across the country.