The California-Australia Wine Shootout™

Other Reds

Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2002 Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia, $20.00
600 cases produced

Deep purple and opaque in appearance with cherry, blueberry, chocolate and raspberry in the nose evolve into bright raspberry, lush cherry, blackberry, and plum flavors in the mouth. A big bold wine with nicely integrated tannins that should age nicely.

(93)

Catacula Lake Winery 2001 Zinfandel, Chiles Valley, Napa Valley, California, $18.00
1817 cases produced

This is a BIG Zin! Ripe blackberry…intensely jammy with white pepper and all spice. The wine has a rustic feel that is sweet and supple with a brilliant mouthfeel.

(92)

Guenoc 2000 Petite Sirah, North Coast, California, $18.50
13,245 cases produced

Black-purple in color, dense and opaque. Pomegranate, blackberry, and sweet oak aromas. A big and rich wine with good texture and good balance providing a pleasant rustic experience. This wine has longevity and as one of our panelists noted, may outlive many of us!

(92)

Little Vineyards 2002 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, California, $25.00
190 cases

A sweet nose of smoke, cedar, spice, blackberry, wild mushrooms, and leathers with bright fruit including apple, berries and cherries, mixed berry jam, dusty raspberry, some earth and anise. A wine with great structure and balance.

(92)

Michael Martella 2002 Grenache, Fiddletown, California, $35.00
50 cases produced

An elegant wine with cherry, red licorice, currant, pomegranate, savory spice, hibiscus, and blackberry aromas replicating on the palate. Full of taste and a finish that keeps on going!

(92)

Eberle 2002 Steinbeck Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California, $16.00
1,123 cases produced

Floral aromas waft to your nose as you lift your glass. The mouth is light and sweet with dill accents.

(87)

Zingaro 2001 Mendocino Benchland Zinfandel, Mendocino, $13.99
4,300 cases produced

Nice bright fruit is displayed in this lighter style Zinfandel.

(86)

Pedroncelli 2001 Pedroni-Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, $16.00
1,035 cases produced

This is a BIG wine made in a rustic style. Chewy with black pepper, cherry, pepper, wild berry and spice flavors. Mid-palate is a bit tannic.

(85)

Eberle Winery 2003 Mill Road Viognier, Paso Robles, California, $18.00
1,500 cases produced

A very aromatic wine with white peach, fresh apricot, mango, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Medium weight in mouth with apricot, honey, caramelized stone fruit, and pineapple flavors with savory spice elements thrown in for good measure. Banana notes on the nice finish.

(90)

Tall Poppy 2003 Viognier, Murray-Darling Region, Australia, $13.00
500 cases produced

Lots of classic spicy floral perfume. Creamy on the palate with citrus notes. The oak elements detract from the delicacy of the varietal characteristics.

(86)

Glendonbrook 2002 Verdelho, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, $12.00
1,500 cases produced

The mouth of this wine is much nicer than the nose portrays. Herbs and lemon in the mouth with bright acid. A well-balanced wine.

(84)

Bargetto 2003 Pinot Grigio, California, $15.00
5,000 cases produced

This Pinot Grigio is clear, pale and golden with ripe citrus and jasmine aromas. A good quality wine. Soft apple and peach flavors with a touch of sweetness – oak elements are obvious but not overpowering.

(84)

Anapamu Cellars 2001 Riesling, Monterey County, California, $16.00
2,100 cases produced

Spicy aromas become vibrant lime with crisp apple and lemon flavors in the mouth. Touches of herbal notes and nice acidity show on the finish.

(83)

Clautiere Vineyard 2003 Viognier, Paso Robles, California, $23.00
376 cases produced

Sweet tropical fruit aromas, pretty in mid-mouth with some astringency on the finish.

(83)

Angove’s 2003 Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia, $19.00
1,800 cases produced

The diesel notes in the nose are welcome notes in any Riesling. The finish has nice acid with lemon and lime notes. It’s the middle mouth that disappoints – just not enough fruit.

(79)

Rosé

Angove’s 2004 Nine Vine Grenache Shiraz Rose, South Australia, $10.00
3,200 cases produced

A bright, clear, deep, and intense rosé color with candied fruit aromas. The raspberry and bubble gum flavors are sweet on the palate with moderate acidity on the finish.

(86)

De Bortoli 2002 Noble One Semillon, Australia, $25.99 5000 cases produced

A decadent dessert wine with honeysuckle, jasmine, chamomile, clover, peaches, and crème caramel aromas. Thick and rich in the mouth with flavors of nectarine, mandarin orange, lime peel, tart mango, and ginger spice. A joy to drink!

(91)

St. Barthelemy Cellars 2001 Petite Syrah Port, California, $20.00
200 cases produced

The flavors reveal dark plum, black cherry and dark chocolate with coffee bean backnotes. A very soft wine with very little acid.

(85)