Coonawarra, Limestone Coast
Henry's Drive
Padthaway Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Another great vintage of a terrific wine! The 2009 has aromas and flavors of blueberry, plums, cedar, cola, vanilla, black pepper and earth. Hint of menthol. Very complex. Smooth tannins and well balanced. Both varietals are integrated beautifully! Great with a steak! Solid QPR! — 21 days ago
Jip Jip Rocks
Limestone Coast Shiraz 2015
Great smooth taste — 11 days ago
Bowen Estate
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Full bodied without being overwhelming. Bright flavor. Was great with a steak and full meal. — 10 hours ago
Majella
The Musician Coonwarra Cabernet-Shiraz Blend 2015
Cab Shiraz is not a blend I seek out generally, but this wine has become a staple in our area thanks to its annual presence at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It is, in fact, a very nice blend of red and black fruit with a high red plum note coming through most clearly for me. The shiraz offers smoothing here, I think, rather than any distinct spiciness. I guess in the way that merlot adds a grounding to a blend, but without the earthiness. This music is all up in the trees. There's even a light tree bark note that completes the analogy. Very nice! — a month ago
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
From Magnum and brought by a guest - thanks Dr Wilson. 2003 was a hot year (as it seemed to be everywhere). No detailed tasting notes but I remember it being better than expected. — a month ago
Yalumba
Cabernet Sauvignon The Cigar 2016
A little young, not as complex, probably needs another five years in the cellar. — 23 days ago
Hope & Grace
Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
On a Charles Hendricks wines run here. An early finish at our rental property to attend our friends Christmas party.
Thought we’d check in on the 13. It’s still early on the Santa Lucia...needs another 3-5years in bottle.
The nose is; brooding, dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries and poached strawberries. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, just a whiff of dry herbs, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender.
The body is, rich, ripe, ruby & full. There is sandy/dusty tannin presence. The structure & tension are still quite pronounced. The length & balance are good but, still require some evolution. It is round, elegant and slides nicely across the palate. Dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries, dry cranberries, poached strawberries & in and out raspberries qualities. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, dry herbs-bay leaf, a touch mint & eucalyptus, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round and holds the slightly higher alcohol in check. The nice, fruit finish is; plush, elegant, persistent, polished and then drifts into drier earthiness & dark spice. Better things ahead for this Charles Hendricks Cuvée in 3-5 years...picks up two score points.
Photos of, the exterior of the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville, their tasting salon, one of my favorite paintings that used to sit behind their tasting room bar but, now resides in Charles house and the vineyard that the fruit for this wine is sourced in Santa Lucia. — 5 days ago
Simon Gilligan
Black fruited, earthy with nice Coonawarra eucalypt, grainy spread of tannin, dry but sort of just disappears. Nicely setup but finishes short - shame as i would have rated much higher otherwise. — a month ago