The 2004 California-Australia Shootout
Overview(ranked by score)
Gloria Ferrer 2001 Chardonnay, Carneros, $18.00
A full, complex wine with loads of tropical fruit…pineapple and banana enhanced by toasty oak. The finish is almost caramelized but tempered by nice acidity.
(87)
Penfolds 2003 Koonunga Hill Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia, $10.00
Good deep color with a big intense nose of oak, apples, lemons and some minerality. Nice mouth feel, good lemon and oak integration, intense fruit.
(87)
Rosemount Estates 2002 Show Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, $19.00
Rich and weighty on the palate, shows generous oak and good complexity. There is a bit of heat mid to late palate.bitter, unpleasant finish/
(87)
Rosemount Estate 2001 Show Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, Austalia, $24.00
Concentrated fruit with deep dark flavors and big tannins. The mouth is full - cherry, violet and eucalyptus. Lovely!
(87)
Shingleback Winery 2001 D Block Reserve Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $40.00
6,000 cases produced
Black pepper, clove, spicy in the finish. Tannins moving toward soft. A nicely balanced wine with blackberry, cedar and tar on the elongated palate.
(87)
Wyalla Cove 2002 Shiraz, Southeastern Australia, $8.00
19,992 cases produced
Youthful with a bright nose of rich spice, raspberry, and dark cherry joined by black pepper in the mouth. Quite rich, especially at this price.
(87)
Kangaroo Ridge 2002 Shiraz, Southeastern Australia, $7.00
12,000 cases imported
A yummy wine with lots of dark fruit in the mouth surrounded with dusty tannins and good acid on the finish.
(86.7)
Rodney Strong 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Northern Sonoma County, California, $40.00
5,971 cases produced
A lively berry and woody blackberry nose, jammy and ripe in the mouth with a dark berry palate.
(86.5)
Pedroncelli 2002 F. Johnson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, $14.50
4,000 cases produced
The nose is slightly elusive and delicate. The mouth reveals strawberry, plum and licorice with cocoa notes on the finish.
(86.4)
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)
Burlwood 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $7.99
25,000 cases produced
Dark tarry aromas with pepper and spice lead to a juicy, ripe wine. The finish is slightly short.
(86)
Grancari Estate 2003 Grenache/Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $20.00
650 cases produced
A fun and different wine, wild berry with white pepper and menthol throughout, light bodied with red fruit and good spice.
(86)
Guenoc 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, California , $13.50
5,336 cases produced
Vanilla and cream soda on the nose. Nice and tangy in the mouth.
(86)
Katnook Estate 1999 Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, $48
Appealing oak aromas overlay plum, black fruit and green pepper. A good food wine – everything is in balance - good acid and medium tannins.
(86)
Lindemans 2003 Bin 65 Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia, $9.00
Richly colored with buttered popcorn, ripe apples, pears, light spice, mineral and good oak nuances on the nose, palate entry of very light fruit. This wine is medium in body. A balanced but unassuming wine.
(86)
Marquee 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide, South Australia, $15.00
250 cases produced
Crisp mouth entry of guava and other exotic fruit with lots of acid on the finish,
(86)
Michael Martella 2001 Syrah, California, $25.00
980 cases produced
Dark hues and good colors with eucalyptus, coffee and tobacco accenting the dark fruit in the nose and mouth. Soft, long tannins with a touch of barnyard.
(86)
Orchid Hill Vineyard 2002 Syrah, Paso Robles, $25.00
448 cases produced
Bright black raspberry fruit in the mouth with lots of oak and spice on the finish. A nice wine!
(86)
Peters Family Winery 2002 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros, $32.00
437 cases produced
Medium yellow in color with good clarity. This Chardonnay has a very toasty oak component with clove and nutmeg. Nice entry and finish with ripe apple and, Moroccan spices. If you like them big and buttery, this one’s for you!
(86)
Riddoch 2001 Cabernet-Merlot, Coonawarra, Australia $11.00
Forward cassis, blueberry, smoke, and leather aromas are joined on the palate by dark cherries, subtle spice and coffee flavors. A nicely balanced wine.
(86)
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)
Van Ruiten 2001 Cab-Shiraz, Lodi, California, $13.00
2,900 cases produced
Blackberry, plum, and Asian spice aromas are enticing. Lots of fruit and spice in the mouth. Soft and drinkable.
(86)
Yellow Tail 2003 Shiraz, South Eastern Australia, $6.99
1.9 million cases produced
Bright berry with notes of oak and cassis. Ripe bright Grenache like entry with a lush mouth feel. Pure fruit play.
(86)
Zingaro 2001 Mendocino Benchland Zinfandel, Mendocino, $13.99
4,300 cases produced
Nice bright fruit is displayed in this lighter style Zinfandel.
(86)
Rodney Strong 2002 Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Chalk Hill, $18.00
61,600 cases produced
Graham cracker, sweet lemon and pear in the nose and entry. The flavors elevate mid-palate with big buttery notes. Citrus rind on the long finish.
(85.9)
Cloverdale Ranch 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California, $22.00
1,113 cases produced
A soft and simple wine with graham cracker, sawdust and ripe red fruit on the nose. Ripe boysenberry on the palate.
(85.5)
Glendonbrook 2002 Unwooded Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, $12.00
1,500 cases produced
The nose is Chablis-like with lemon, apple and pear. Nice vanilla and spice accents in throughout.
(85.2)
Anapamu Cellars 2002 Chardonnay, Monterey County, California, $16.00
7,020 cases produced
Vanilla and oak on the nose, apple and pineapple in the mouth very nicely integrated with the oak.
(85)
Anapamu Cellars 2001 Syrah, Paso Robles, California, $20.00
10,030 cases produced
A very youthful and big Syrah with cherry and blackberry aromas carrying through onto the palate – almost Zin-like in character with white pepper accents on the finish.
(85)
Angove’s 2002 Red Belly Black Shiraz, South Australia, $13.00
5,000 cases produced
Candied and smoky notes accent the red fruit nose and are delivered on the palate as black raspberry, red cherry, brown baking spice, and lots of new oak.
(85)
Aquila Estate 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River/Blackwood Valley, Australia, $18.00
5,000 cases produced
Plum and green notes on the nose repeating on the palate with eucalyptus and spicy oak notes.
(85)
Baileyana 2003 Paragon Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley, $13.00
5,016 cases produced
The nose is smoky. The mouth is medium-weight with nice lemon flavors with lemon peel on the finish.
(85)
Barefoot Bubbly Exta Dry, California, $6.99
11,000 cases produced
A sweet and fragrant nose consisting of granny smith and Bartlett pear introduces this soft, pleasant sparkling wine with a refreshing lemon finish.
(85)
Barefoot Reserve 2002 Merlot, Alexander Valley, California, $15.99
1,949 cases produced
Plum over black cherry with oaky backnotes on the nose…red fruit nicely integrated with oak and tannin. A straight forward statement of the varietal.
(85)
Burlwood 2003 Sauvignon Blanc, California, $7.99
25,000 cases produced
Light lime candied nose with a slight grassiness in the background. Tangy lime in the mouth and a touch of oak on the finish.
(85)
Christopher Creek Winery 2002 Estate Bottled Reserve Syrah, Russian River Valley, California , $29.00
306 cases produced
Deep garnet to purple in color with blackberry, plum, cassis, vanilla, and herbal notes
on the nose, replicates throughout this full-bodied wine. There is tannin and a wallop of acidity on the finish.
(85)
De Bortoli 2002 Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, $29.99
7,000 cases produced
The apple, citrus and oak aromas replicate on the palate. Nice, clean acid on the finish.
(85)
Eberle 2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California, $25.00
1,016 cases produced
Sweet caramel and chocolate over ripe black fruit on the nose and mouth. Aggressive tannins and lots of acidity on the finish.
(85)
Frei Brothers Reserve 2001 Dry Creek ValleyMerlot, Dry Creek Valley, California , $20.00
39,000 cases produced
Smith Brothers cough drops with smoke, graham cracker and earthy notes in the nose. Concentrated black fruit on entry, the mid-palate is light but the wine comes back full on finish. A young wine with big wood, interesting…earthy, spicy and dusty tannins on finish.
(85)
Gallo of Sonoma County 2002 Syrah, Sonoma County, California , $30.00
16,000 cases produced
Dark in color with a youthful warm climate character. Warm fruit with black pepper notes.
(85)
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, Sonoma County, $18
Delicate aromas of pear and lemon invite you to experience this clean, crisp and expressive sparkling wine. The Fuji apple and kiwi flavors endure through the long finish.
(85)
Kangaroo Ridge 2002 Merlot, Southeastern Australia, $7.00
12,000 cases imported
Sweet, ripe, syrupy black cherry throughout with a nice acid balance. A simple but fun wine that is easy to drink.
(85)
Louis Martini 2000 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, California,
$55.00
3,000 cases produced
Slight barnyard and herbal notes over concentrated berry and cherry fruit aromas and flavors. The fruit is nicely balanced with acid.
(85)
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)
Reynolds Reserve 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
3,200 cases produced
Clear and pale yellow in color. A traditional style Sauvignon Blanc with grassy notes and grapefruit in the nose and mouth. Nice acidity on the long finish.
(85)
Sketchbook 2001 Mendocino Estate Syrah, Mendocino, $22.99
800 cases produced
Dark purple in color with an earthy quality in the nose. A rich wine with a big tannin structure.
(85)
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)
Wolf Blass Yellow Label 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, $12.00
50,000 cases imported
A soft style Cabernet Sauvignon with sweet currant, lavender and red currant on the nose. A lively palate showing red and black plum and herbal notes in the mouth. Good length.
(85)
Wyalla Cove 2003 Chardonnay, Southeastern Australia, $8.00
14,112 cases produced
A soft, fruity style with apple, soft oak and citrus aromas and flavors. A pleasant wine.
(85)
Miramont Estate 2002 Celestial Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $19.50
1,406 cases produced
Deep purple almost black in color with berry and oak flavors, supple tannins. This Cabernet Sauvignon is quite pleasant and fruity.
(84.8)
Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, $15.00
Nearly opaque. A pure and simple wine with cassis and blackberry. A bit lean, more fruit is needed to offset the tannins.
(84.6)
Gallo of Sonoma 1999 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, California, $75.00
1,200 cases produced
A big, tannic wine.Deep black currant with herb and earthy backnotes replicate on the palate.
(84.5)
Barefoot Bubbly Brut, California, $6.99
5,000 cases produced
A simple and pleasant bubbly with a flashy nose of sweet golden delicious apple on the nose that carries through the palate and finish.
(84)
Barefoot Reserve 2002 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California, $12.99
2,983 cases produced
The color is golden yellow with butter and graham cracker crust on the nose. This Chardonnay is soft in the mouth with a touch of orange peel on the finish.
(84)
Barefoot Reserve 2001 Meritage, Alexander Valley, California, $15.99
11,000 cases produced
The nose is a bit shy nose with tart cherry and brown spice notes. A simple but pleasant and well made wine.
(84)