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2005
2005 Amon Ra (Glaetzer) Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$$
Color: Black
Nose: Violets, Black berries, crushed rock, Pepper
Taste: Violets, crushed rock, blackberries, oak, vanilla, but kept changing over time
Finish: Smooth tannins and extremely long with violets, oak, vanilla, crushed rock and blackberries
Evaluation: This wine with some age might be a 98 pointer. Incredible wine that change over time and you must decant a min. of 3 hours. Enjoy!!! 95 points currently
2005 The Black Chook Shiraz - Viognier - Australia, South Australia (12/25/2010)
Floral, black fruits and spice. A bit sweet with spice, floral, dust and dark fruits. Not an impressive finish at all and a bit hot. (83 points)
2005 Flinders Run Shiraz Southern Flinders Ranges - Australia, South Australia, Far North, Southern Flinders Ranges (11/25/2010)
Good overall with pepper, cherry, blackberries and floral notes. Medium finish but lacks the intensity of many better Aussie Shiraz wines. (90 points)
2005 Glaetzer The Bishop Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Subtle spice, blackberries, coffee
Taste: Nice with blackberries, spices, light oak
Finish: Medium and concentrated wine
Evaluation: Good value 93 points
2005 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/18/2011)
Minneapolis Wine Club: Blind Tasting $25 Price Point: A nice wine with dark color. Spice, raspberry, dust, and floral notes on the nose and palate. It shows some juicy fruit on the palate but not over the top. Medium to long finish and really no flaws on the wine. It was wine of the night in a 12 bottle blind tasting of worldwide wines. My second favorite of the night. (92 points)
2005 Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Blackberries, spice, bell peppers, rock
Taste: Big wine with spice, pepper, rock and blackberries
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: 91 points
2005 Kaesler The Bogan Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, pepper, plum, exotic spices, wood
Taste: Blackberry, wood, spice, black pepper, oak, vanilla, crushed rock, violets
Finish: Violets, crushed rock, black pepper, spices, vanilla, oak, Long!
Evaluation: 95 points!
2005 Kaesler Shiraz The Bogan - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (8/16/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club Aussie Shiraz (My House): Not impressed with an 04 a few months ago I was not expecting what we got out of the 05 which was amazing. Blackberries, blueberries, spice, coffee and black pepper are featured on this concentrated and balanced wine. Medium finish and it showed well all night. (93 pts.)
2005 Kaesler Shiraz The Bogan - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/27/2011)
Amazing Aussie Wines (Kevin's House): Sampled a few times and always solid with blackberries, floral and coffee on an active nose. Palate is solid with plenty of flavor and has a medium finish. (92 points)
2005 Kilikanoon Parable McClaren Vale Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Coffee, mineral, blackberries
Taste: Intense stuff with black pepper, blackberries, coffee, minerals
Finish: Long and powerful
Evaluation: Really impressive and 05 is a great vintage for higher end Shiraz wines from Australia 93 points
2005 Langmeil Three Gardens Barossa Valley $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, mineral, black pepper
Taste: Pepper, earth, black fruits
Finish: Medium and concentrated
Evaluation: A nice value for $11 on sale 87 points
2005 Layer Cake Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, oak, cinnamon
Taste: Spice, oak, and cinnamon
Finish: Spice, pepper, and earth
Evaluation: Nice everyday wine. 84 points
2005 Marquis Philips South Australia Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Intense with pepper, spice, and oak
Taste: Rich with pepper, fruit and spice
Finish: Medium with fruit mixing with earth tones
Evaluation: For the price it is hard to beat this Aussie Shiraz. 89 points
2005 Marquis Philips S9 Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, oak, violets, crushed rock
Taste: Crushed rock, violets, spice, tar, plum, currants, and medium tannins
Finish: Crushed rock, violets, tar, spice, oak, vanilla, on this extremely long finish.
Evaluation: 94 points
2005 Milton Park Barossa Valley Shiraz $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth and some fruit
Taste: Oak, spice, and tannic
Finish: Medium finish with oak and tannic qualities
Evaluation: 81 points
2005 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/24/2011)
Wednesday afternoon at Kevin's: Really not my style of Aussie Shiraz however it got a lot better in the glass over some time. Blueberries, dust, floral and cherry. A real light style from Australia. I will be interested if Kev found improvement in day 2. (90 points)
2005 Penfolds Shiraz RWT - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (2/22/2010)
Minneapolis Food & Wine Show Grand Tasting; 2/22/2010-2/23/2010 (Minneapolis Convention Center): Dark purple. Black fruits, dust, floral, oak, and pepper. Concentrated wine with amazing balance. Tannins are medium and this is one of the better Penfolds wines I have sampled in some time with of course the exception of the Grange line. (94 pts.)
2005 Pillar Box Red $
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Earth
Taste: Spicy, raspberry and pepper
Finish: Spice, pepper and a solid finish which is its best quality
Evaluation: An everyday bargain wine 84 points
2005 Tim Smith Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$
Color: Black (Teeth stains)
Nose: Blackberry, black pepper, smoke, Asian spices
Taste: Raspberry, blackberry, pepper, spice,
Finish: Blackberry, spice, oak, vanilla, black pepper, violets
Evaluation: Not as good as the 03 but a powerhouse. 95 points
2005 Tim Smith Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberries, plum, smoke
Taste: Black pepper, blackberries, smoke, floral
Finish: Concentrated wine and full of flavors
Evaluation: 2nd sample and still really good 94 points
2005 Tim Smith Wines Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley Blackberries, floral, raspberries, and oak on the nose. The wine is balanced and really flavorful. No flaws and concentrated finish. (93 pts.)
2005 Tim Smith Wines Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (7/10/2010)
Stewartwent did we taste the same bottle? This is a top five wine of all time for me and I know how to review wines.
Dark purple with truffles, cedar, black pepper, and blackberries on the nose. Amazing complex palate and finish with truffles, black pepper, blueberries, oak, spice, and super long finish. This is one of the best Aussie Shiraz wines of the decade. (97 pts.)
2005 TSW Reserve Barossa Valley/McLaren Vale Shiraz $$$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Truffles, light cedar
Taste: Truffles, black pepper, multi layered wine
Finish: Smooth and long with black pepper, blackberries, vanilla, oak, spice, and truffles.
Evaluation: The 2nd best wine I have tried to date. 97 points
2005 Tait The Ball buster Barossa Valley Shiraz/Cab/Merlot $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Blackberry, plum, black pepper, and spice
Taste: Black pepper, blackberry, plum, spice, and medium tannins
Finish: Powerful with spice, black pepper, black berry, licorice, and medium tannic structure.
Evaluation: A nice Aussie Blend for the money (82% Shiraz). 88 points
2005 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Fruit forward with blackberry and plum
Taste: Blackberry, plum, mild spice and a hint of pepper
Finish: Blackberry and plum with a hint of spice
Evaluation: A well made wine and a great value. 90 points
2005 Two Hands Lily's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, Black pepper, plum
Taste: Big and balance wine with black pepper, spice, oak, plum
Finish: Medium and smooth with black pepper, plum, cherry
Evaluation: A smooth wine with the key components of Shiraz. 92 points
2006
2006 First Drop Shiraz 2% - Australia, South Australia, Barossa (1/22/2011)
First time trying this producer but it won't be the last. Beautiful wine with pepper, blackberries, spices, floral and coffee. Balanced across the board and long finish. The 2% Albarino was interesting and preferred to the often blended Viognier. (92 points)
2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/26/2011)
Amazing Aussie Wines (Kevin's House): Very complex wine but the nose does not do the palate justice. Blueberries, coffee, spice and floral notes. Concentrated palate and medium to long finish. Really integrated wine and really no flaws. Impressive! (94 points)
2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$$$
Color: Black
Nose: Huge nose with black pepper, blackberries, smoke, oak
Taste: Crushed rock, black pepper, blackberries, smoke, intense
Finish: Long and concentrated wine
Evaluation: With the exception of the Tim Smith Shiraz this is the best Australian Shiraz under $100 96 points
2006 Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz $$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Blackberries, floral, spices, plum
Taste: Not as big as the 05 with spices, blackberries, plum and black pepper
Finish: Medium with fruit and earth complementing each other
Evaluation: 92 points
2006 St. Hallet Faith Barossa Valley Shiraz $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Floral, blackberries, coffee
Taste: Spice, coffee, blackberries, pepper
Finish: Medium and good concentration
Evaluation: Really nice wine for $9.99 on sale 87 points
2006 Jacob's Creek South Australia Shiraz $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: weak with some spice
Taste: Spice, cherry, plum, and earth
Finish: Medium with spice, cherry, and plum
Evaluation: Great Value! 84 points
2006 Kilikanoon Killerman's Run South Australia Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, blackberry
Taste: Spice, blackberry, earth
Finish: Medium and balanced
Evaluation: Good value Shiraz 89 points
2006 Kilikanoon Lackey South Australia Shiraz $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Blackberry, mineral
Taste: Spices, blueberry, mineral
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Nice wine 88 points
2006 Langmeil Three Gardens Barossa Valley $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, cherry, plum
Taste: Spice, cherry, blackberries
Finish: Medium but not as intense as the 05
Evaluation: A well made wine overall 86 points
2006 Peter Lehmann Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Violets, eucalyptus, raspberry
Taste: Spices, violets, cherry eucalyptus
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Nice value wine 87 points
2006 Marquis Philips South Australia Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, plum, spice, black pepper, crushed rock
Taste: Blackberry, plum, spice, black pepper, crushed rock, flavor, tannins smooth
Finish: Long and impressive. Totally balanced wine with all of the above.
Evaluation: Number one wine under $15 of all time. 93 points
2006 Massena Shiraz The Eleventh Hour - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (8/1/2010)
Reds at my house; 7/29/2010-8/1/2010: What a nice surprise with spice, floral and some funk on the nose. The palate was big but not over done with coffee and spices present. Medium and concentrated finish. WS missed the mark with their 75 point score. (93 pts.)
2006 Mollydooker Boxer Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Black
Nose: Super intense with blackberry, road tar, charcoal, black pepper
Taste: Blackberry, spice, black pepper, crushed rock, dirt, and medium tannins
Finish: Crushed rock, black pepper, blackberry, medium tannins but not a long finish.
Evaluation: This wine would score higher had the finish been more impressive. 91 points currently.
2006 Mollydooker Carnival of Love McLaren Vale $$$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Subtle with spice, pepper, plum
Taste: Pepper, spice, plum, oak Tannins are medium
Finish: Medium with pepper, spice, plum, oak
Evaluation: It improved with 4 hours decanting but did not measure up to the Shafer Relentless Syrah. 92 points
2006 Mollydooker Shiraz Velvet Glove - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (1/14/2010)
Color: Black
Nose: Big and powerful with spice, blackberries, violets, coffee jumping out of the glass
Taste: WOW! Spice, meat, coffee, floral, some eucalyptus, and concentrated fruits
Finish: Super long and intense with some much going on
Evaluation: This is a special wine and was the only one of the tasting to over stimulate my palate. Top 3 wines of all time!!! 97+ points (97 pts.)
2006 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 128 - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2/22/2010)
Minneapolis Food & Wine Show Grand Tasting; 2/22/2010-2/23/2010 (Minneapolis Convention Center): Dark purple. Cherry, blackberry and earth on the nose. On the palate nice fruit, spice, pepper, and earth. A little too bitter but that is the only flaw. Solid finish. (89 pts.)
2006 Pillar Box Australia Blend (Shiraz 50%, Cabernet 42%, 8% Merlot) $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Rich with coffee, cherry, spices
Taste: Cherry, spices, coffee
Finish: Medium and good concentrated
Evaluation: Solid everyday wine 90 points
2006 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Barossa Valley Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, cedar, mineral
Taste: Mineral, Violets, crushed rock, Medium tannins
Finish: Medium with violets, mineral, wood
Evaluation: A good value for $17 87 points
2006 Two Hands Angel's Share McClaren Vale Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberries, spices, black pepper
Taste: Blackberries, spices, pepper
Finish: Medium and concentrated
Evaluation: Great $20 wine 91 points
2007
2007 St. Hallet Faith Barossa Valley Shiraz $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, pepper, violets
Taste: Pleasant but not as concentrated as the 06
Finish: Medium with nice earth components
Evaluation: Solid everyday wine 85 points
2007 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberries, coffee, pepper
Taste: Big fruit with blackberries, plum, pepper and spice
Finish: Low in tannins and very fruit forward
Evaluation: Very nice wine for the money every year! 90 points
2007 Marquis Philips S9 South Australia Shiraz $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberries, spices, pepper
Taste: Big wine with blackberries, pepper, spices, plum
Finish: Long and concentrated wine with some heat
Evaluation: Not for those looking for elegance 91 points
2007 McGuigan Shiraz - Viognier - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek (4/2/2010)
Nice nose with floral, spice, black fruits. On the palate this wine shows some complexity with floral, dust, blackberries and earth. Medium finish and at $8 a bottle a steal. (89 pts.)
2007 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (3/26/2011)
Amazing Aussie Wines (Kevin's House): Little subtle for Aussie Shiraz with blueberries, coffee, candied fruit and floral. Got a bit better over the night. (91 points)
2007 Chris Ringland Cr Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberry, spice, black pepper
Taste: Buttery notes with blackberries, plum, black pepper
Finish: Big wine
Evaluation: A steal at the price 92 points
2007 R Wines First Class South Australia Shiraz $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Subtle for Shiraz with earth, raspberries, and white pepper
Taste: Earth, fruits and pepper and really balanced
Finish: Smooth and elegant
Evaluation: Nice wine 92 points
2007 Yangarra Park Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Southern Fleurieu (5/8/2010)
Floral, light fruits and spice. Not real concentrated and I don't like the Shiraz as much as the Grenache. (87 pts.)
2008
2008 St Hallett Gamekeeper's Shiraz Cabernet - Australia, South Australia, Barossa (5/14/2010)
Cherry, blackberries, and dust. Medium finish and good QPR wine. (88 pts.)
2008 Layer Cake South Australia Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Pepper and blackberries
Taste: Floral and pepper
Finish: Not over the top
Evaluation: Good value 87 points
2008 Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Eden Valley Shiraz $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Floral, spices, blackberries
Taste: Intense and a bit too much floral and clove with some dark fruit
Finish: Medium and concentrated
Evaluation: Solid wine 87 points
2008 Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend Shiraz $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Blackberries, coffee, pepper
Taste: Big fruit with blackberries, plum, pepper and spice
Finish: Low in tannins and very fruit forward
Evaluation: Very nice wine for the money every year! 90 points
Check out these great Australian Websites to further your knowledge:
