The Garden Route

Two Hands

Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz 2010

Very dark in colour - almost black. Lots of everything - ripeness, oak, blackberry, dark chocolate. The sort of wine I would have loved in my 20’s, not so much in my 70’s. Not for lovers of delicate wine - this is full throttle. This Australian producer is probably better known in the USA than Australia - like Mollydooker. A full bodied palate with M plus intensity and grainy tannins. Ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines of 2012. Not sure that extended cellaring will make a huge difference but will try to have the last one in early 2027. — 2 months ago

Ira, Pooneet and 20 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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I have these, and this vintage also, agreed they are pedal to the floor, minimum 20Y wait for me until the fruit and alcohol start to abate. 🤞

RouteStock Cellars

Route 116 Pinot Noir

Interesting that there was a Sonoma bottle AND a Willamette Valley bottle. I tried the Sonoma one and loved it. Hubby said "too juicy," but I thought it was a great summer red. — 3 years ago

Two Hands

Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020

Nice wine for its age, subtle with a light nose — 3 months ago

Hewitson

Old Garden Vineyard Mourvedre 2020

Wow. Amazing. Focused, concentrated, flawless. Seamless layers of fresh dark red fruit infused with subtle spice and carried by fully integrated fine, smooth tannins. All in complete harmony. Made from small berries grown by 150 year old vines planted by the first settlers from Prussia, Central Europe. Is this the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world? Stayed tuned to hear and see the story in a few months. Subscribe on spokenwines.com and YouTube @Spoken-Wines to get a front seat 😊. — 4 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Jan, Ted and 5 others liked this

K Vintners

Rock Garden Syrah 2014

Soft fruit, some bacon, smoked meat, & herbs. Not very complex. Lovely BBQ wine. Unlike many WA syrah, not an alcoholic fruit bomb. However, terrible QPR for the level of vinous complexity on offer. — 2 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Vanessa, Ira and 9 others liked this

Spice Route

Chakalaka Red Blend 2016

Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Pretty nose with cedar, vanilla, wild flowers, chocolates, coffee and black pepper.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, earth, herbs, black pepper, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a tasty red blend from South Africa. Soft and smooth with nice complexity. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

Needed 4 hours to open up properly, so be patient.

A blend of 36% Mourvedre, 22% Shiraz, 13% Carignan, 11% Grenache, 9% tannant and 9% Petite Sirah.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.
— 3 months ago

Tom, Philip and 5 others liked this

Two Hands

Sophie's Garden Padthaway Shiraz 2004

Ming L
9.3

A new Garden series bottling for me. Padthaway is also new to me.
The initial nose was quite muted, only showing leathery note. The palate on the other hand shows great from the first sip with flavors blueberry, orange peel, toffee, black pepper, light medicinal, and thyme. It’s deep, powerful yet reserved. Acidity is holding up and tannins is still profound but rounded. And after 3 hours the nose finally comes around. Massive 16% ABV makes it presence felt at the end.
Probably need another 4-5 years to peak.
— 5 months ago

Severn, Ira and 2 others liked this

The Silver Route

Old Vines Extremadura Tempranillo Syrah 2019

Characteristics of mature European wines. Deep, well-developed color and body and a very smooth taste. Very pleased with this wine. — 3 years ago