Category: Barossa Valley

2007 Two Hands Moscato Brilliant Disguise – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley 500ml bottle, 7% alcohol, $18AUD from cellar door. From 80-100 year old White Frontignac/Muscat vines. Palest straw green in colour. The nose is fresh with florals, guava and mango. Clean, crisp and ultra refreshing mouth-feel from the slight spritz character. Just a […]

In November of last year a tasting was held to compare two of Australia’s most prominent Cabernet Sauvignons. It was expected that we would see two very different styles of Cabernet with the family owned Mount Mary from the cool Yarra Valley in Victoria and the corporate giant Southcorp owned, Penfolds 707 Cabernet from the […]

There was no theme chosen for this small, informal get together by four of us last Saturday. I had a very good time thanks to some great company, food and wine. Bruno Michel “Cuvee Rebelle” Extra Brut NV (Champagne, France): On the nose were breadcrumbs, apple, floral scents and a pinch of earth. Very easy […]

Giaconda is one of the biggest names in boutique Australian wineries, especially for their Chardonnay. While they were not the first wine producer in Beechworth in Victoria, winemaker Rick Kinzbrunner has certainly put it on the wine lovers map as an area with massive potential. With this in mind, some friends and I set out […]

Two Hands “Brilliant Disguise” 2006 – (Barossa Valley, South Australia): The nose is bursting with lime, mango, floral notes and tropical fruit. The light fizz leads the wine into a dance across the palate. A delicate sweetness with a hint at depth of flavour. Delicious drinking and I wish I had more for summer! Previously […]

Paul Bara Brut Reserve Grand Cru NV – (Champagne, France): Medium bead with a very light mousse. Smoke, rose petal, lime and a light overlay of roasted nuts form the nose. The palate has a nice intensity of flavour as well as racy, well focussed acid and a slight citrus tang. Champagne of this quality […]

A fun offline in Sydney focusing on “Cult” wines – generally defined as small production (and often hard to obtain) wines that receive large scores from prominent overseas wine critics. All wines except for the two sparkling wines were tasted blind. The identities of the wines were known (except for the mystery wine) but not […]

Some quick notes from an excellent evening hosted by David Lole in Canberra. All wines were tasted and scored blind except for the Curlewis, the St. Henri and the Petaluma Essence. Rockford Sparkling Black (Sept. 2005 disgorgement) – (Barossa Valley, South Australia): Bright, clean raspberry, cherry, pepper, vanilla and blackberry aromas as well as a […]

Fast Facts: Variety: White Frontignac Region: Barossa Valley Country: Australia Winemaker: Matt Wenk Closure: Cork Alcohol: 6.5% Cost: $18AUD (500ml) Source: Purchased from friend Winery Website: Two Hands This is one of the first wines to appear from the 2006 vintage, having just been bottled mid last month. I had a look at the 2004 […]

An excellent dinner hosted by friends Gavin and Gen. I’ve included the menu items interspersed throughout the notes. I won’t post too detailed impressions on the food, but in general they were good matches, especially the Salmon with the Champagne and the smoked Duck with the Pinot/Burgundy. Smoked Salmon, mayonnaise and avocado Franck Bonville Grand […]