Pinot Noir
You either love Pinot Noir, or you hate Pinot Noir. I love Pinot Noir. The perfect fusion of elegance and power, the possibilities with Pinot Noir are endless. Some of my favourite examples even use whole bunch fermentation to extract the flavours of the stalks.
Merrick's Creek Pinot Noir (2008 current release)
Tyrrell's Vat 6 Pinot Noir (2010 current release)
Red Hill Estates Pinot Noir (2010 current release)
The Maitresse Pinot Noir (2010 current release)
St Hubert's 'Hubert the Stag Pinot Noir (2010 current release)
Bourke St Canberra District Pinot Noir (2010 current release)
Shiraz & Blends
Australian wine regions are so diverse, they contain the whole gamut of climate variations. Shiraz is particularly versatile, and will produce entirely different wines in different regions. Cool climate shiraz will be fuller-bodied, and have rich, berry fruit flavours. Warmer climate shiraz will be more light-to-medium bodied, and have more elegance and delicacy. Some people find this flimsy, however I much prefer Shiraz this way.
Tyrrell's Vat 9 Shiraz (2009 current release)
Tyrrell's Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet (2009 current release)
Tyrrell's Stevens Shiraz (2009 current release)
Collector Wines Marked Tree Red Shiraz (2010 current release)
Nick O'Leary Canberra District Shiraz (2010 current release)
Bourke St Canberra District Shiraz (2008 current release)
Meerea Park The Aunts Shiraz (2010 current release)
Penfolds Bin 28 (2008 current release)(really cliche to add Grange, RWT, St Henri etc)
Orlando Lawson's Pathaway Shiraz
Elderton Command Shiraz
Saltram No. 1 Shiraz
Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz
Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz
Penfolds Bin 28 (2008 current release)(really cliche to add Grange, RWT, St Henri etc)
Orlando Lawson's Pathaway Shiraz
Elderton Command Shiraz
Saltram No. 1 Shiraz
Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz
Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz
Cabernet Merlot
Cabernet Merlot is a relatively new blend to me. I have often by-passed it for what I perceived to be 'more challenging' varieties. I have recently grown to appreciate Cabernet Merlot much more, and have even included some in my top 8 red under $20.
Piano Piano Oliver's Blend Merlot Cabernet (2008 current release)
Brindabella Hills Canberra District Cabernet Merlot (2008 current release)
Petaluma Coonawarra
Petaluma Coonawarra
Sangiovese
Chirsmont La Zona Sangiovese (2010 current release)
Coriole McLaren Vale Sangiovese (2010 current release)
Tempranillo
Piano Piano Mario's Blend Touriga Tempranillo (2008 current release)
Mount Majura Tempranillo (2010 current release)
