The California-Australia Wine Shootout™

Syrah/Shiraz

Lindemans 2003 Bin 50 Shiraz, South East Australia, $8.00

Redolent with blackberry and lavender spice. On the palate this wine is jammy with blueberry, blackberry, lavender, fresh juicy cherry, raspberry, with notes of spice and dark chocolate with a silky mouthfeel. This Shiraz is rich and appealing.

(92)

Rosemount Estate Diamond 2002 Shiraz, Australia, $12.00

Bright berries, cherry and fine tea leaf greet you, concentrated flavors of cassis, black pepper, blackberry jam, a touch of dill blend nicely with integrated oak. Nice finish!

(92)

Brassfield Estate 2002 Syrah, Clear Lake, California, $21.99
1,294 cases produced

Roasted coffee and sweet deep black fruit on the nose…the palate is bold with fruit depth throughout including plum, blackberry and marion berry. This wine is full- bodied with a tannin structure that is focused, intense and concentrated. This wine will have an enduring life.

(91)

Shingleback Winery 2002 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $20.00
3,700 cases produced

Dark in color with young bright aromatics… wood, caramel, cherry ripeness - big and bright with blueberry, wild berries, and spice on the palate. An elegant and complex wine.

(91)

Madfish 2002 Shiraz, Western Australia, $14.99
31,526 cases produced

A more elegant style of Shiraz with lovely fennel, mint, and floral aromas leading the way and carrying through onto to the palate where they are joined by chocolate and cherry. All carry through the long finish.

(90)

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 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Ca’na 2000 Estate Grown Syrah, Contra Costa County, $30.00

Deep color, nearly opaque. Aromas of beef, plum and blackberry lead to this full-bodied and substantial wine. The aromas are replicated on entry, then joined by violets, vanilla and cedar in mid-palate. Long berry finish with supple tannins and a touch of heat.

(88)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Row Eleven 2002 RDLR Syrah, Mendocino
Less than 2,800 cases produced

Sweet geranium on the nose. Super soft and supple…deep black cherry and black plum flavors .

(79)

Clautiere Vineyard 2002 Syrah, Paso Robles, California, $24.00
699 cases produced

Very fruity with cola accents.

(79)

McLaren Vale III Associates 2000 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $32.95
11,565 cases produced

The nose is muted with barnyard notes and flavors of cooked fruit. Drink now! This wine is aging quickly.

(79)

Red Knot 2003 Davey Family Vineyard Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, $12.00
5,600 cases produced

Menthol over bright red fruit and hints of spice on the nose and in the mouth. A trace of green fruit and high alcohol detract from the other attributes of this wine.

(79)

Glendonbrook 2002 Shiraz, Hunter/Mudgee, Australia, $15.00
1,000 cases produced

The nose is yeasty with hints of mint and barnyard. A simple and lean wine.

(78)

Penfolds 2002 Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, South Australia, $11.00

Aromas of blackberry with mild white pepper notes, dark berries and mocha espresso flavors. Too much sulfur conceals some of the lovely fruit.

(77)

Howard Park 2001 Scotsdale Shiraz, Western Australia, $19.99
1,744 cases produced

Eucalyptus and black fruit aromas but the flavors are under ripe – lots of tannin and acidity!

(76)

Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia, $14.95
10,000 cases produced

The nose is off-putting – green, under ripe aromas. Cherry cola flavors touched by eucalyptus.

(73)