The 2004 California-Australia Shootout
Overview(ranked by score)
Barefoot Reserve 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, California, $15.99
1,949 cases produced
Pretty notes of cherry, blackberry and a hint of floral. The palate is tight with hints of chocolate, dark cherry, and vanilla. Dense good structure, packed with fruit.
(89.9)
Geyser Peak Winery 1999 Bin 6 Shiraz, Alexander Valley, California, $100.00
148 cases produced
Opaque! You can smell the extraction…cedary, blackberry, vague violet notes with a tarry entry. Black fruit, earth, and herbal flavors mid-mouth. Chewy tannins and quite a bit of acid - but fruit to age.
(89.8)
McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2002 Chardonnay, South East Australia, $11.00
48,000 cases produced
Summer at its best. The nose is tight and elegant with hints of peach, pear and sweet oak. The entry is soft with lemon and stone fruit flavors joined by oak mid-palate through the long crisp finish.
(89.8)
Gallo of Sonoma 2002 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, $11.00
21,500 cases produced
Créme brulée with brown sugar and caramel initiate the inviting nose…a well-made wine with additional aromatics of green apple, honey, melon, and pear that carry through onto the palate. Seamless continuity. Mouth filling with nice acidity, nice balance and lots of lovely oak flavors on the finish.
(89.6)
McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, South East Australia, $11.00
26,000 cases produced
A juicy wine with depth. Pleasant aromas of toasty nuts, red currants, plum, cherry, and mint. Meaty, chewy tannins, blueberries are dominant - bright on the palate both elegant savory.
(89.6)
McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2002 Shiraz, South East Australia, $11.00
50,000 cases produced
$11.00
Coffee and currant aroma develops into ripe red fruit, cassis, currant, and wild berries in the mouth with smoky accents. The wine gives off a bit of heat but the finish is sleek
Finishes with balanced tannins.
(89.5)
Pellegrini Family Vineyards 2003 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, $13.00
6,000 cases produced
Clear and pale yellow in color. The nose has the caramel quality of barrel fermented Chardonnay even though the wine sees no oak. Pineapple, melon, and sweet honeysuckle on the nose too. The wine is big, fat and rich with lots of flavors.
(89.5)
Reynolds 2001 Reserve Shiraz, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
6,000 cases produced
A very closed nose at first, it took almost 10 minutes to open, when it did…the nose was smoky with some bacon bit scents, black plum and licorice. The flavors were complex with concentrated tart black fruit with pepper in the mid-palate joined by vanilla and coconut accents. Oaky and smooth.
(89.5)
Barefoot Reserve 2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley,
$14.99
2,241 cases produced
Strawberry and cherry on the nose lead to a balanced wine with fresh strawberry and pomegranate flavors. There is nice acidity on the finish that make this wine a natural to pair with smoked salmon.
(89)
Barefoot Reserve 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, California, $12.99
790 cases produced
Clear, pale yellow. Elegant but light aromas of pineapple, grapefruit and floral vanilla. Grapefruit flavors throughout with pineapple and vanilla notes added mid-palate. Clean with crisp acidity.
(89)
Black Opal 2002 Shiraz, Southeast Australia, $8.00
170,000 cases produced
Opaque and deep purple black in color with bright red fruit and smoky aromas. The flavors are big and meaty with cranberries and pomegranate with medium tannins. Spice and nice acidity on the finish.
(89)
Brassfield Estate Vineyards 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, Clear Lake, California, $14.99
4,200 cases produced
The wine is crystal clear with a pale yellow color. The nose is somewhat closed with slight hints grapefruit, white peach, kiwi, and herbs. The flavors develop mid-palate with the same profile as the nose continuing through the finish. The lingering finish displays high acid and a bit of heat. Good acid and fruit structure.
(89)
Christopher Creek Winery 2002 Estate Bottled Syrah, Russian River, California , $22.00
448 cases produced
Ripe cherry, smoke, dark oak, and nice mint aromas become an alluring combination of flavors…spice and chocolate on the finish.
(89)
Clautiere Vineyard 2002 Mon Rouge, Paso Robles, California, $25.00
472 cases produced
Deep garnet in color with a beautiful nose of licorice, cherries, graham cracker, and hazelnut. The mouth is ripe and round with dense black fruit, blueberry, sage and backnotes of chocolate. A bit hot on the finish.
(89)
Greg Norman Estates 2002 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot, Limestone Coast, Australia, $16.00
125,000 cases imported
Green notes on the nose with cassis and tobacco back notes. This is a lighter style Bordeaux wine. Our panel didn’t love it but this is not a badly made wine.
(89)
Greg Norman 2002 Victoria Chardonnay, Victoria, Australia,
$14.00
23,000 cases produced
A lovely, delicate Chardonnay with ripe golden delicious apple and Bartlett pear aromas replicating on the palate with additions of honey and melon flavors. Nice weight in the mouth finishing with lemon notes.
(89)
Icaria Winery 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Northern Alexander Valley Hillside,
California , $38.00
750 cases produced
A youthful wine – lightly floral and muted cherry on the nose with dark fruit in the mouth. Well balanced fruit, oak, tannin ratio.
(89)
Louis M. Martini 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
36,000 cases produced
An elegant wine with smoky, ripe black fruit aromas, appealing cherry, berry and vanilla flavors. The texture is soft and appealing.
(89)
McWilliams of Coonawarra 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, $30.00
1,976 cases produced
Black fruit, cassis, cedar, and vanilla aromas deliver the same onto to the palate with additions of coffee and herbal notes. The fruit is balanced by a solid tannin structure on the long finish.
(89)
McWilliams of Coonawarra 2000 Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia,
$30.00
978 cases produced
Deep ruby in color with raspberry, blackberry, cherry, and tart on the nose, a cherry entry that is backed by mixed pure fruit and bracing acidity on finish.
(89)
Rodney Strong Vineyard 2003 Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc, Northern Sonoma County, California, $12.00
28,130 cases produced
An open and expressive wine with a lovely personality. White peach and tropical fruit accented by earth and wood. More acid would elevate this wine to another level.
(89)
Rodney Strong 2002 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, $14.00
110,200 cases produced
Rich and full in the mouth with complexities and nuances. A full fruit and backbone, this wine should age gracefully age gracefully. American oak, lemon curd, apples, baking spice, and pear aromas. A clean entry of strong vanilla oak and lemon drops with spicy apple pie flavors, very young and intense, with a long finish.
(89)
Tarra Warra Estate 2001 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia, $32.00
3,000 cases produced
The nose is toasty with roasted notes, berry, cherry, eucalyptus, and smoky. An enchanting style of Pinot Noir. Ripe cherry, clove, smoke, and bacon fat through prolonged palate and the elegant finish.
(89)
Van Ruiten Family Winery 2001 Syrah, Lodi, $12.00
3,500 cases produced
This seductive wine has a violet, red raspberry, cherry, blueberry, and roasted coffee nose. Medium-bodied – soft and appealing mid-palate with lots of tannin on the finish.
(89)
Tarra Warra Estate 2002 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia,
$32.00
2,400 cases produced
Smoky, tart cherry, raspberry and cranberry backed by spice on the nose. The color is medium-light ruby. Underlying greenness and unripe rhubarb flavors negatively impact the deep cherry flavors, and allspice in the mouth. Moderate acid on the medium length finish.
(88.8)
St Supery 2000 Dollarhide Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, $70.00
1,200 cases produced
A rich and graceful wine. Black currant with tar and coffee notes. Full body with seamless continuity and length.
(88.7)
St Supery Vineyards & Winery 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California,
$24.00
41,000 cases produced
Barnyard, oak and berries on the nose develop into flavors of black plum and cassis with cigar box and chocolate backnotes.
(88.7)
Flora Springs 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California , $30.00
8,800 cases produced
Ripe black cherry, black plum, and black currant on the nose and in the mouth with mocha integrated tannins.
(88.5)
Pedroncelli 2000 Morris Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley,
California , $16.00
2,150 cases produced
Bright ruby in color with coffee, vanilla and herbal notes on the nose. The flavors are black fruit with hints of cherry and coffee. Herbs are quite prominent on the palate.
(88.5)
Rosemount Estates 2003 Diamond Chardonnay, Australia, $10.00
An easy sipper, this Chardonnay is soft and round with a buttery nose. Lively, tart apple, pear, and lemon twiston the palate. Seamless continuity with a long mineral finish.
(88.5)
De Bortoli Deen Vat 8 2002 Shiraz, Southeastern Australia, $11.99
120,000 cases produced
An attractive nose of bright, ripe berry and cranberry…rich in the mouth with an almost sweet mouthfeel. Cedar accents throughout.
(88.4)
Penfolds 2000 St Henri Shiraz, South Australia, $39.00
Cherries and cedar on the nose, the mouth is full and rich with deep blackberry, cranberry, plum, and wood spice in the mouth. Lots of tannin on this chewy wine.
(88.4)
Katnook Estate 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, $22.00
Juicy and ripe with generous black cherry fruit, slightly minty with good balance and a long finish. The wine is rich and structured, very Bordeaux-like in character.
(88.2)
Katnook Estate 2000 Prodigy Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia, $50.00
An expressive ripe wine with lots of cherry, boysenberry, black raspberry, and spice accented by judicious oak.
(88)
Peters Family Winery 2001 Meritage, California, $25.00
370 cases produced
Aromas of sweet perfume, lilac, lavender, bold cherry and cassis replicate on the palate. One of our panelists called this wine “a rugby player in a tutu.” A big and bold wine with finesse.
(88)
The Gate 2002 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $32.00
625 cases produced
Sweet oak and black cherry with a luscious palate. Good acid on the very long finish.
(88)
Rodney Strong 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, California,
$18.00
187,924 cases produced
Red cherry, cassis, licorice, and mint aromas developing into Aussie-style fruit on the palate - deep juicy, woody red plum and cherry, good earthy herbs and dusty tannins on finish .
(87.8)
Reynolds 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, New South Wales, Australia
8,200 cases produced
Peppermint, sweet red currant and red bell pepper aromas. Slightly cooked black fruit with coffee on the back palate. Refreshing acidity. Lots of tannin that could integrate with time but right now, not enough fruit mid-palate to please our panel.
(87.7)
Peters Family Winery 2001 Gardner Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sierra Foothills,
California , $40.00
200 cases produced
Ripe, open and lush with blackberry flavors. The finish has lots of tannin but this wine is balanced and should age nicely.
(87.5)
Angove's Sarnia Farm 2002 Shiraz, Padthaway, Australia, $13.00
1,300 cases produced
Inviting aromas of strawberry, raspberry, violets, cherries, plum, and cigar box notes in this wine of medium color and good clarity. The palate is light with floral notes and tart black fruit. The finish is long with licorice accents and tannic grip.
(87.3)
Annie’s Lane 2002 Shiraz, Clare Valley, Australia, $13.00
9,000 cases imported
Violets, ripe fruit, and barnyard aromas replicate on the palate with additions of coffee and wild game notes. The barnyard becomes quite intense fighting for control with the rich and ripe flavors mid to late palate.
(87)
Black Swan 2002 Shiraz, Southeastern Australia, $8.00
300,000 cases produced
A touch of greenness in the nose portends under ripe fruit but the flavors in the mouth are full… coca cola and blueberry with cherry back notes, a touch of sweetness and a long finish.
(87)
Burlwood 2002 Chardonnay, California, $7.99
25,000 cases produced
Inviting aromas of peach, nectarine, honey, apple, and pear lead to a wine that is soft on the palate with a touch of oak and spice on the finish.
(87)
Carmenet 2001 Merlot, Sonoma County, California, $24.00
5,000 cases produced
A very youthful wine with black plum and tar aromas, dark fruit and spice notes accented by toasted oak in the mouth and soft tannins on the finish.
(87)
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)
Frei Brothers Reserve 2002 Syrah, Russian River Valley, California, $24.00
6,000 cases produced
The aromas begin as slightly muted but as the wine opens, bright cherry, black cherry, coffee, and toffee are revealed. The wine has a lovely balance with nice mouth feel, good tannin structure and a spicy finish.
(87)