Affairs of the Vine | Wine Education - Event Planning - Wine Boot Camp

2008 California-Australia Shootout

heart heart = Love at First Sip

Eagle Vale 2004 Whispering Lake Shiraz Margaret River Western Australia, $32.00: 1200 cases produced
(93)

Male: In the glass, this wine is opaque ruby. Blackberry and light eucalyptus aromas emanate from the glass. Ripe black and red fruit on the palate. Nicely balanced. Concentrated. Well done!

Female: Deep brown-red in color. The nose has cocoa and caramel notes with a slight gaminess. In the mouth you will enjoy rhubarb and black currant fruit with baking spices and hints of smoky bacon. Yummy with wild game!

Wakefield 2006 Shiraz Clare Valley, Australia, $16.99: 3000 cases produced
(93)

Male: The nose is both bright and brooding at the same time…plums, green olive, chocolate, eucalyptus, and raspberry compote aromas much more - coriander, sage and red cherry. Very Barossa-like with pepper, coriander, raspberry, black currant and vanilla flavors. Slightly sweet and sour finish on the finish. The alcohol is apparent. Sexy and intriguing but pushing the limit for ripe fruit.

Female: The wine is a clear moderately intense purple-red color. The nose is exotic – cinnamon, spice and caramel with dried bayleaf and cola notes. The palate is intriguing with dark berries and spice. Eucalyptus throughout. Serve with lamb but no mint jelly as the wine delivers that minty character.

Olson Ogden 2006 Unti Vineyard Syrah Dry Creek Valley, California, $38.00: 219 cases produced
(92)

Male: Great purple color. Lovely boysenberry, anise, lavender, white pepper, and mint aromas. Blue and black fruit flavors. Nice dense mouthfeel with good acidity. On the finish, spice and oak show on the moderately tannic finish. Still young. A distinctive and delicious wine.

Female: Intense purple in the glass. Black cherry, vibrant currant, clove, and cedar aromas waft from the glass. Juicy black currant and black cherry on the palate with nice brown spice accents. Tannins are full but this wine will age beautifully.

Paraiso 2005 Wedding Hill Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands, California, $40.00: 199 cases produced
(92)

Male: Menthol, black pepper, and slightly meaty aromas. Deep cherry, blackberry and chocolate with a touch of dill notes. The finish is short but rich displaying a nice oak complement to the fruit.

Female: Alluring deep red brown color. Anise and herbs dominate nose with a meaty note at the core. Bright cherry fruit layered with spice and cured meats flavors. Good palate structure.

Olson Ogden 2006 Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah Napa Valley, California, $52.00: 116 cases produced
(91)

Male: The nose is elusive at first with meaty syrah aromas, then some blackberry and cranberry notes. The wine opens slowly to dark and brooding licorice, cassis, blueberry flavors with vanilla and black tea accents. Good structure. Gets better and better as it opens. Needs time. Has a bright future.

Female: Deep black purple color. Intense blueberry and currant flavors with hints of vanilla and spice. The oak tannins hang in there. Will age nicely!

Écluse 2006 Lock Vineyard Syrah Paso Robles, $32: 212 cases produced
(90)

Male: The aromatics are enticing, a nice combination of subtle black and red fruit with underlying spice. Everything is in proportion. The nose introduces a very elegant style of Syrah. Nice structure - nice fruit on the palate and nice acid. One of the better Syrahs I've tasted in a long time!

Female: I really like this wine! Blackberry, blueberry and vanilla notes on the nose. This in an elegant wine with lovely berry flavors on the palate and subtle spice. Cocoa accent on the long finish. The acid makes this a wine to pair with food. The structure and balance are impressive.

Olson Ogden 2006 Syrah Sonoma County 78%, Napa County 22% - California, $28.00: 171 cases produced
(90)

Male: Bright cherry, raspberry and baking spice aromas. Rich fruit pattern on the palate – blueberries and raspberries. Lovely, lively, smoky, and rich with a solid finish.

Female: Bright blackberry aromas with a touch of coffee. Bright blueberry jam flavors and white pepper accents. Lush fruit with a soft finish. Yum!

heart heart = An Affair to Remember

Robert Oatley 2007 Shiraz Mudgee, Australia, $20.00: 7500 cases produced
(89)

Male: Crimson in color. Lavender, cherry and black pepper on the nose. Dark roasted coffee and rhubarb in the mouth. Rich and lingering on the palate. The finish is a bit short.

Female: Smoked meat aromas. Dark and brooding on the palate. Nice mouth feel, lingering on the palate. Yummy with smoked duck with berry sauce!

McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2006 Shiraz Southeastern Australia, $12.00: 95000 cases produced
(88)

Male: Fun! Rootie-tootie, rich and fruity nose. Wonderfully concentrated ripe black and red fruit flavors. Deftly made.

Female: Red cherry, blackberry, black cherry, anise and coffee on the nose. Pure red and black fruit on the palate. Mellow finish. Nice!

Prix Vineyards 2005 Syrah Napa County/Sonoma County, $65.00: 275 cases produced
(85)

Male: Deep blood red in color. Menthol on the nose. Good solid dried currant fruit on the palate. Caramel and butterscotch on the finish. Needs time to integrate.

Female: Sweet cassis and eucalyptus on the nose. There is bright and sharp red fruit on the palate. Lots of tannin with high acidity on the finish. Will the fruit still be there after the tannins soften?

Black Swan 2007 Shiraz Southeastern Australia, $8.00: 201000 cases produced
(80)

Male: The nose is herbal with black fruit in the mouth.

Female: Vegetal and herbal notes combine with cranberry on the nose. The palate is cranberry with black tea accents on the finish.