The 2004 California-Australia Shootout
Overview(ranked by score)
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)
Black Swan 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Southeastern Australia, $8.00
175,000 cases produced
Grapey and simple…a rustic style of Cabernet Sauvignon.
(84)
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)
Howard Park 2002 Leston Shiraz, Western Australia, $19.99
2,719 cases produced
Lighter style Shiraz with tart cherry, cola, coffee, and spice notes from opening aromas through the finish.
(84)
Little Vineyards 2002 Resonance, Sonoma Valley, $30.00
162 cases produced
This is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with blueberry, licorice and tarry backnotes. There is a nice tartness from front to back – the alcohol is slightly out of balance - the wine comes off a bit hot.
(84)
Marquee 2001 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, $25.00
250 cases produced
Cherry and raspberry aromas accented by vanilla and black pepper and a bit of heat in the nose. The flavors show black cherry and spice on the palate and through the finish.
(84)
Pellegrini 2003 Leveroni Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, $14.00
615 cases produced
A nice and pleasant wine with toasty oak overtones.
(84)
Rodney Strong Single Vineyard 1999 Alden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California, $30.00
4,043 cases produced
Opaque, black-red in color with a garnet rim. Nice bright fruit in the mouth and big oak on the finish.
(84)
Tall Poppy 2002 Petit Verdot, Murray-Darling, Australia, $13.00
1,000 cases produced
Petit Verdot is not often seen as a stand alone varietal. A late ripening grape, the varietal does better in warmer regions. The Tall Poppy Petit Verdot shows intense color and a fragrant, berry and brown spiced nose. The wine is thin mid-mouth and astringent on the finish.
(84)
Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2002 Grenache-Shiraz-Mouvedre, McLaren Vale, Australia, $20.00
900 cases produced
Black fruit and roasted coffee. The wine is round, lush and soft with dark plum and underlying cedary and barnyard notes.
(84)
Yellowtail 2003 Shiraz-Cabernet, South Eastern Australia, $6.99
300,000 cases produced
Ripe and sweet blackberry, tar and licorice in the nose and mouth. Nice depth at
mid- palate but the flavors are short lived.
(84)
KitFox 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $14.00
3,000 cases produced
Cooked black fruit aromas, ripe fruit in the mouth accented by herbs and toasty oak.
(83.4)
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)
Black Swan 2003 Chardonnay, Southeastern Australia, $8.00
300,000 cases produced
A simple wine with caramel, toffee, and apple aromas on the nose and palate.
(83)
Catacula Lake Winery 2001 Sauvignon Blanc, Chiles Valley, California , $11.00
386 cases produced
The oak in this Sauvignon Blanc overpowers the delicate citrus fruit.
(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)
De Bortoli 2000 Shiraz, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, $29.99
8,000 cases produced
The nose is exotic…Asian spice, licorice and plum. On the palate there is ripe red and black fruit with dried herb and roasted coffee accents.
(83)
Frei Brothers Reserve 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California, $24.00
33,000 cases produced
A Cabernet Sauvignon with touches of chocolate, eucalyptus, mint, plum, dusty, herbs, and oak on nose. Ripe and rich, deep fruit in the mouth. A touch of sulfur detracts.
(83)
Gallo of Sonoma 1999 Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley, $45.00
2,144 cases produced
Obviously, an older Chardonnay – oaky, buttery, and slight oxidization in the nose, pineapple and caramel in the mouth with a sweet impression on the palate. Bitter notes on the finish.
(83)
Gallo of Sonoma 2002 Merlot, Sonoma County, California , $11.00
115,000 cases produced
Ripe raisin and plum fruit, some anise and herbs with nice oak on nose. The mouth is ripe and grapey, soft and accessible. The dustiness in the mouth detracts from the ripe fruit.
(83)
Gloria Ferrer 1995 Royal Cuvée, Carneros, $22.00
Sweet biscuits and lemon on the nose replicate mid-palate. The caramelly and lengthy but the fruit doesn’t extend past mid-palate.
(83)
McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2002 Merlot, Southeastern Australia, $11.00
36,000 cases produced
Dusty red fruit aromas with simple sweet black cherry and plum entry. Mid-palate is tart with dusty tannins that carry all the way through.
(83)
Reynolds 2002 Chardonnay, New South Wales, Australia
Pear and granny smith aromas lead to an entry that is somewhat thin. The acidity drives the flavors through a mineral laden palate and a long delicate finish.
(83)
Rodney Strong Reserve 2001 Janes Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $30.00
1,935 cases produced
Dull garnet in color tending toward brick – the wine seems to be showing some premature aging. Black fruit, bright acid and menthol on the nose promising but not delivering bright fruit flavors.
(83)
Wolf Blass Sparkling Brut, South Australia, $10.00
1,000 cases imported
Sweet lemon, slightly caramelized aromas and flavors with yeast accents. Clean.
(83)
Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2002 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $20.00
4,200 cases produced
One of our panelists called this an NFL wine with the brawn to make the team…dark red and black fruits, plum, blackberry…big, ripe and juicy. The mouth is jammy if a bit hot on the finish.
(83)
Yellow Tail 2003 Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia, $6.99
1.2 million cases produced
An uncomplicated Chardonnay with soft flavors…fresh and crisp on the finish.
(83)
Barefoot Reserve 2000 Meritage, Alexander Valley, California, $15.99
1,023 cases produced
Herbs, red fruit and oak on nose. Tobacco, herb, currant, plum, and oak on the palate. The finish is tannic and overshadows the fruit.
(82.5)
Burlwood 2003 Merlot, California, $7.99
25,000 cases produced
Blueberry and plum in the nose and on the palate. A simple but pleasant wine in mid-mouth with too much oak on finish.
(82)
Cloverdale Ranch 2001 Merlot, Alexander Valley, California, $20.00
3,303 cases produced
The American oak dominates here with heavy dill notes. The wine rounds out on the palate with black olive and smoke notes.
(82)
Katnook Estate 2001 Chardonnay, Coonawarra, Australia, $17.00
Big and buttery with lemon, star fruit, and ripe pear aromas. The oak overpowers the fruit mid-palate and carries through the finish.
(82)
Katnook Estate 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Coonawarra, Australia, $15.00
Lots of bell pepper and asparagus in the nose. Lemon in the mouth and lemon peel on the finish.
(82)
McLaren Vale III Associates 2002 Chardonnay, McLaren Vale, $22.95
6,750 cases produced
Very golden color, with pineapple and kiwi in the mouth, pineapple and touch of lemon on the slightly sweet finish. Pleasant but lacking acidity.
(82)
Orchid Hill Vineyard 2002 Pinot Noir, Paso Robles, $23.50
135 cases produced
Rhubarb and strawberry aromas evolve into soft berry fruit with low acidity.
(82)
Yellow Tail 2003 Merlot, South Eastern Australia, $6.99
80,000 cases produced
Extracted black fruit with slight cough medicine qualities mid- to late palate. The finish is short and tart.
(82)
Rockledge 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, $29.00
920 cases produced
Opaque and red in color with a red rim. Bright blackberry with pencil shavings in the nose. Barnyard over shadows the fruit in the mouth. Lots of tannin.
(81)
Katnook Estate 2001 Riddoch Cabernet-Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia, $11.00
Barnyard, geranium and chocolate aromas, wild berry notes highlight the flavors with soft tannins to complete the package.
(81)
Marquee Brut (Methode Champenoise), Macedon Ranges, Victoria, $27.00
250 cases produced
Deep golden in color, with yeast and caramel in the nose. The mouth is syrupy. For those who like aged sparklers.
(81)
De Bortoli 2003 Chardonnay, Big Rivers, New South Wales, Australia, $7.99
140,000 cases produced
Golden yellow in color, this medium weight wine has oak and Golden Delicious apple aromas. It is a bit thin in the mouth with soft lemon acid on the finish. Not enough fruit mid-mouth.
(80)
Palmeri 2001 Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley, $47.00
165 cases produced
Barnyard, spice and black fruit with sweet chocolate accents from entry through the finish. Great acidity!
(80)