2013 Wirra Wirra Wines Church Block

Wine: 2013 Wirra Wirra Wines Church Block
Estate: Wirra Wirra Wines
Sub-Regions: Whites Valley, McLaren Flat, Blewitt Springs and Seaview
Region: McLaren Vale, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia

Location: At home on 3/3/2016

Tasting Note:

We have been on an Australian wine binge of late and are continually looking for QPR/Value Aussie wines. Wine was dark crimson red. Slightly savory on the nose to start with some grilled herbs and lots of red cherries. Definitely needs a year or two to fully integrate but great potential. Moderate tannins (6/10) and rustic on the palate. Slight heat. Slightly dry finish and moderate plus in length and with a moderate body. Will not touch the next bottle till 2017 for another touch point. Very excited to see how this wine develops! Great value australian wine!
Rating: 89+

Price: $ - Purchased at Costco in Pentagon City for $15.81.

2006 Tait Wines Basket Pressed Shiraz

Wine: 2006 Tait Wines Basket Pressed Shiraz

Estate: Tait Wines

Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia

Winemaker: Bruno Tait

Elevage: 15 months in 20% new French oak and 80% 1-2 year old toasted American oak.

Varietals: 100% Shiraz

Decant: 45 minutes.

Location: At home on 1/17/2016

Tasting Note:

Absolutely delicious, we need to start finding some more boutique Aussie wines, especially some basket pressed ones. Basket pressing is a more traditional way of extracting juice from crushed grapes, pressure must be controlled in order to not release unwanted tannins.
Ruby red with garnet edges. Nose was very intense, you could smell the vanilla and coconut three inches away from the glass. Some slight caramel and some slightly savory undertones with a little smokiness. Low tannins (4.5/10) with a thick, rich and silky body. Classis Aussie Shiraz on the palate. Thick and filled with caramel throughout. Heavily extracted with a long plush finish. Low tannins makes be not so sure about longevity but the body and the finish are stunning. Lots of dark fruits and solid acidity. Very well balanced. The acidity might help this hold out over the low tannins. Excellent wine and will head out to grab a bottle of the Ball Buster this year! 800 cases produced.

Dates: Drink till 2022.
Rating: 93
Price: $$ - Purchased for $35.69 but goes for $50.00 from the estate if you live in Australia. One wine of their's is available in the area. Ball Buster for $19.99 at Total Wine.

2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg

Wine: 2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg
Estate: Luddite Wines
Region: Bot River, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Niels Verburg
Elevage: 18 months in 95% French Oak and 5% Hungarian Oak, which 30% was new.
Varietals: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre.
Decant: 30 minutes.
Location: Drank at The Butcher Shop in Sandton City on 12/21/2015.

Tasting Note:

We drank bottle number 708 and 723 at The Butcher Shop. The wine was very intense and deep dark garnet and blood red. The nose was very savory and full of cedar wood and a little smokey. Lots of cassis too. Palate was covered with lots of dark fruits like cassis and blackberries, very thick. Moderate tannins (5/10) with a moderate to light body. Moderate finish that had a solid drying intensity (5/10) that carried through the finish. Well balanced and integrated. Slightly lighter than expected. Drank up against the 2011 Rust en Verde Cape Winemakers Guild Estate and the 2010 Haskell Merlot Cape Winemakers Guild. 

Dates: Drink till 2020.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - Around $30.00.

2008 Hartenberg Shiraz Gravel Hill

Wine: 2008 Hartenberg Shiraz Gravel Hill
Estate: Hartenberg Wine Estate
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Patrick Ngamane
Elevage: 18 months in 100% new French Allier oak.
Varietals: 100% Shiraz.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: New Year's Day party at the Ballington's house on 1/1/2016.

Tasting Note:

Color: Ruby red. Deep and dark.

Nose/Smell: Meaty with a lot of salami or prosciutto. Smokey as well. Love the nose.

Palate/Taste: Caramel, vanilla in the attack then goes very dry in a very long and lingering finish. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. 

Opinion: Just as delicious as tasting at the estate two weeks ago. Definitely a wine that you can cellar for the long hall. Absolutely delicious.

Dates: Now till 2036.
Rating: 93
Price: $$ - $33.00

2007 Rust en Vrede Estate Red

Wine: 2007 Rust en Vrede Estate Red
Estate: Rust en Vrede
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Elevage: 18 months in 85% French Oak and 15% in American Oak.
Varietals: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Shiraz and 8% Merlot.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: New Year's Day party at the Ballington's house on 1/1/2016.

Tasting Note:

Color: Deep, dark and opaque ruby red.

Nose/Smell: Lots of vegetal notes. A lot of green peppers and a slight iron nose.

Palate/Taste: Heavy tannins (8.5/10) and full bodied. Very powerful wine that has a strong dry finish. Lingers for 10+ seconds.

Opinion: Delicious and we think it can easily go for another 10 years.

Dates: Now till 2026.
Rating: 94
Price: $$ - $41.99