Australia's Regional Wine Bounty

I don't get a ton of wine samples from Australia, but having traveled to Australia twice on wine press trips, I can definitely attest to the incredible quality of much Australian wine. Somehow, just recently, I've received a nice batch of samples from a couple of importers and I'm posting some of my tasting notes here.

Kay Brothers 2017 Amery Vineyard Basket Pressed Grenache McLaren Vale ($40) This one is a bit ripe, I think, such that it has lost a bit of the freshness that can make Grenache especially appealing, and shows more baked fruit and savory notes in the nose. And at 14.5% alcohol, it feels a bit hot on the palate. All that said, it's still a well-made, sound wine and quite drinkable with smoky berry, herb, and currant flavors that are plush and generous. Imported by Quintessential Wines. (88 Points)

Kay Brothers2016 Basket Pressed Syrah McLaren Vale ($40) This rich Syrah is no shrinking violet, but it's a nice alternative to blowsier Shiraz from nearby Barossa. It has concentrated, but focused, blueberry, raspberry, plum, smoked meat and sage notes and a spicy pepper and clove finish. Very nicely done! (91 Points)


Vintage Longbottom 2017 "H" Syrah Adelaide Hills (54%) Padthaway (46%) ($40) This is a lovely wine, packed with rich new world fruit, but still lively and very complex. The grapes come from two regions, Adelaide Hills (a very beautiful, moderate climate region near Adelaide) and Padthaway (a South Australian coast region important to the Australian wine expansion in the 1960's). I get notes of mulberry, blueberry, cinnamon, coriander and white pepper on the nose. It's super flavorful, but finishes bright and spicy. One of the things I love about Syrah is that the aromas and flavors are only about 50% fruit related, and this wine is a great illustration of that character that makes Syrah so special. Imported by Quintessential Wines (93 Points) 

Vintage Longbottom 2018 "H" Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills ($40) This is a really lovely, restrained, very lightly oaked Chardonnay with intriguing orange blossom, white peach, kiwi fruit, and pear notes and a mouthwatering, racy finish. If I were tasting it blind, I'm not sure I would peg it as a Chardonnay, but it's really delicious and interesting! imported by Quintessential (91 Points)

Yalumba 2018 "The Y Series" Viognier South Australia ($??) Very nice, crisp, not overly-floral Viognier with orange, nectarine, jasmine, and ginger notes. Native yeast fermentation, very well-balanced. (90 Points)

Vasse Felix 2017 'Filius' Chardonnay Margaret River ($25) A lovely, focused, balanced Chardonnay from way out west in Margaret River, a region famous for surfing as well as superb Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot. Vasse Felix is among my favorite wineries in that region several hours drive south of Perth. This white has focused apricot, lime blossom and tangerine aromas, more stone fruit and a hint of tropical fruit in mid-palate and a nice crisp, lemony finish. Whatever new oak is in play, it's very well-integrated, adding just a whisp of smoke. (92 Points) 

Vasse Felix 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River ($30) I'm a huge fan of Margaret River Cab, and this is a very fine wine, although I think the fruit is a bit more confected than I usually expect from this region and this producer. It has sweet, candied cherry and red currant fruit plus notes of soy, white pepper, plum, graphite, tobacco and vanilla. It wasn't a super hot vintage in Western Australia, but extended hang time in a cool vintage may have sapped a bit of freshness from this wine. (89 Points)


Wirra Wirra 2014 'Church Block' Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz-Merlot McLaren Vale ($23) Delicious and concentrated red blend with deep cassis, blackberry, and cranberry fruit and espresso and cocoa notes on the finish. It's a little oaky, but bouyed by great fresh fruit flavors. I'mported by Negociants USA. (90 Points)