K&L Saturday Tasting: Big Aussie Reds 2006/08/26

Year	Wine	Price	Rating
2003	Yalumba M-G-S, Barossa Valley blackberry, chocolate, mineral, tannic, salty and astringent, licorice, tired, slightly flat - so - ws	21.99	***
2004	Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Barossa Cuvee, Barossa Valley restrained licorice, oak, blackberry, plum, sage. Not as exciting as the older vintages such as 2001 and 2002. - so - ws	15.99	***
2004	Craneford "John Zilm" Merlot, Barossa Valley chocolate brownie, mooncake, orange, full body, vanilla, sikly smooth - so - ws	29.99	****
2000	Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet, Margaret River olive, woody, chocolate, raspberry, nothing exciting - so - ws	32.99	***
2004	Kirkham Peak Shiraz, McLaren Vale tired nose, "blood", licorice, boysenberry. made by Longwood. - so - ws	15.99	***
2004	Kalinda Reserve Shiraz, McLaren Vale blueberry, spicy oak, silky mineral, cassis, vanilla, elegant finish. At club price: 23.99, this is a great deal. Should be made by Longwood also. See Kirkham Peak above. - so - ws	29.99	****
2004	Yangarra Estate Shiraz, McLaren Vale beef reduction, grilled herbs, jammy berries, long astringent finish. Interesting - so - ws	20.99	****
2004	Marquis Philips "9" Shiraz, McLaren Vale (was 31.99) closed alcohol nose (at 16.1% alc) jammy plum, burning sensation. Memorable. May be good depending on whether you like Port or not... - so - ws	18.99	****
2004	Two Hands Lilly's Garden Shiraz, McLaren Vale fragrant, herbs, blackberry, acidic, finishing short - so - ws	35.99	***½
2004	Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz, South Australia tea, licorice, alcoholic, berries, violet, plums, complex, harmonic, long finish. Memorable. - so - ws	28.99	*****
2004	Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz, Barossa Valley pomegranate, floral, acidic, tar, orange peel - so - ws	18.99	***
2004	Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz, Barossa Valley acidic, cherry, raspberry, silky long finish - so - ws	38.99	****
2004	Niels Verburg Western Cape Shiraz, South Africa beef, Buk Goo Deh, garlic, leather, licorice, Chinese herb tea, earth, animal skin, animal living place... Oh my god... Strange to the max. - so - ws	34.99	*