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Australia
Reviews for 2020

January 2020 - Australia

January 2020 - Australia
This month's Wine feature is Australian Wines

Australia Reviews

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Sidewood 2014 Isabella Sparkling Rosé Adelaide Hills
93 points
$25
Sidewood
2014 Isabella Sparkling Rosé Adelaide Hills
Steely amber color. Inviting aromas and flavors of brioche, ripe cantaloupe, cranberry relish, strawberry preserves, nutmeg, and honey butter with a silky, lively, effervescent, dryish full body and a smooth, intriguing, medium-long finish manifesting shades of toasted almonds in nougat and hint of menthol-mint with a suggestion of oak flavor. A terrific Australian sparkler with a svelte body, sophisticated aromas, and acidity that doesn’t quit; drink now or cellar.
93 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2016 Mappinga Shiraz
92 points
$45
Sidewood
2016 Mappinga Shiraz
Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of baked blackberry, horseblanket, cinnamon-raisin roll, and dried figs and dates with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a warming, layered, long finish with nuances of caramelized mushrooms, berry tart, black tea, and menthol-mint with moderate oak flavor. Funky complexity and luscious fruit combine in this show-stopping Shiraz that will pair like a pro.
92 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Levantine Hill 2013 Samanthas Paddock Melange Traditionnel Red Blend Yarra Valley
92 points
$120
Levantine Hill
2013 Samantha's Paddock Melange Traditionnel Red Blend Yarra Valley
Opaque burnt sienna-black color. Oaky aromas and flavors of autumn leaves, dark roasted nuts with chocolate, plum pudding, licorice, pine, and mesquite with a round, lively, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, thought-provoking, very long finish displaying overtones of red cassis tart and toffee with well-integrated, fine tannins and moderate oak flavor. A mature Bordeaux blend that has settled into its groove; excellent acidity and food affinity will leave you craving your next sip.
92 points $120
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Date Tasted:
Levantine Hill 2015 Colleens Paddock Pinot Noir
92 points
$120
Levantine Hill
2015 Colleen's Paddock Pinot Noir
Dark burnt sienna color. Aromas of brownie crusts, stewed cherries, dark caramel, dried strawberry, gingersnap, and espresso with a round, vibrant, fruity medium body and a smooth, subtle, long forest fruits, black tea, blackened toast, and hazelnut brittle finish with moderate oak flavor. A rich Pinot Noir packed with concentrated roasty flavors; complex, balanced, and a pleasure to share.
92 points $120
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood NV Sparkling Pinot Noir-Chardonnay
91 points
$18
Best Buy
Sidewood
NV Sparkling Pinot Noir-Chardonnay
Emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of heirloom apple, pineapple, green apple, chalk, white flowers, and beeswax with a silky, vibrant, finely carbonated, dryish light body and a polished, intriguing, medium-long finish displaying accents of salted butter and Parker dinner rolls. A mineral-driven, crisp and clean sparkler for celebratory toasting.
91 points $18 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2017 Mappinga Chardonnay
91 points
$25
Sidewood
2017 Mappinga Chardonnay
Yellow straw color. Aromas and flavors of pineapple chutney, buttered Parker dinner rolls, guava, baked apricot, and coconut flakes with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, medium-long finish conveying accents of freshly sliced lemons and creamy caramel with moderate oak flavor. A balanced and palate-pleasing Chardonnay with well-integrated oak flavors and sophisticated fruit.
91 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2017 Mappinga Shiraz
91 points
$45
Sidewood
2017 Mappinga Shiraz
Dusty black violet color. Aromas and flavors of black plum, menthol lozenge, leather, black peppercorns, trodden earth, and blackberry jam with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a smooth, amusing, long finish with notes of milk chocolate with coating tannins and moderate oak flavor. A rich, juicy, jammy concentrated Shiraz; stupendously balances spicy, earthy, and fruity flavors.
91 points $45
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2018 Aldi Special Release Shiraz
90 points
$14
Best Buy
Wakefield/Taylors
2018 Aldi Special Release Shiraz
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of ripe blueberries, plum pie, strawberry fruit leather, spice cake, orange peel, and pencil shavings with a round, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long finish with moderate oak flavor. Juicy berries and mouthwatering acidity star in this bold but approachable Clare Valley Shiraz.
90 points $14 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
90 points
$18
Best Buy
Sidewood
2019 Sauvignon Blanc
Silvery emerald straw color. Fruity aromas of white grapefruit, key lime, and gooseberry with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a polished, captivating, medium-length key lime pie, cilantro, and passionfruit finish. A juicy and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc that hits the nail on the head.
90 points $18 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2018 Reserve Parcel Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
$22
Wakefield/Taylors
2018 Reserve Parcel Cabernet Sauvignon
Violet color. Fruity, herbal aromas and flavors of menthol-eucalyptus lozenge, chocolate mint, and fresh blueberry pie with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-full body and a sleek, distinctive, long finish with accents of black raspberry tart a la mode with fine, silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A vivacious, herbaceous, and juicy Aussie Cabernet that is not shy on flavor.
90 points $22
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2018 St. Andrews Chardonnay
90 points
$32
Wakefield/Taylors
2018 St. Andrews Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of butter-poached pineapple, peach pie, and hints of mocha with a velvety, vibrant, light-to-medium body and a tingling, charming, medium-long finish that exhibits accents of lemon custard and baking spices with heavy oak flavor. Palate-lifting acidity and rich buttery character combine in this very oaky but balanced and appetizing Chardonnay.
90 points $32
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2019 The Hotelier Shiraz
89 points
$16
Best Buy
Wakefield/Taylors
2019 The Hotelier Shiraz
Black violet color. Herbal aromas and flavors of eucalyptus, blackberry jam, wintergreen, sage, and slate with a chewy, medium-full body and a seamless, medium-long finish displaying suggestions of boysenberry syrup with firm tannins. A spicy and bold Shiraz.
89 points $16 Best Buy
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2018 Shiraz
89 points
$21
Sidewood
2018 Shiraz
Black violet color. Aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry, fresh spearmint, potpourri, and buttery pie crusts with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-long pink peppercorns and rhubarb tart finish with moderate oak flavor. A mouth-filling spicy Shiraz that doesn’t skimp on fruit.
89 points $21
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
$24
Glenlofty
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of ganache, blackberries, rose hip jam, and eucalyptus with a velvety, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, charming, medium-length finish displaying notes of tobacco and roasted walnuts with moderate oak flavor. A bold Australian Cabernet for rich steaks.
89 points $24
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2018 Pinot Noir
89 points
$25
Sidewood
2018 Pinot Noir
Pale ruby color. Aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, mint, chocolate biscuit, and toasted hawaiian bread with a round, light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, medium-length finish with accents of cranberry and orange peel with light oak flavor. A friendly and bright Pinot Noir with silky-smooth texture and pure fruit flavors.
89 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2015 Estate Pyrenees Victoria Shiraz
89 points
$29
Glenlofty
2015 Estate Pyrenees Victoria Shiraz
Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of darkest black cherries, dark chocolate ganache, earth, licorice, and wintergreen with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a silky, layered, medium-long finish with moderate oak flavor. A juicy, spicy Shiraz with great balance; easy to love.
89 points $29
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Date Tasted:
Levantine Hill 2015 Melissas Paddock Syrah
88 points
$120
Levantine Hill
2015 Melissa's Paddock Syrah
Black ruby color. Aromas of sarsaparilla, vanilla gelato, dried leaves, kumato, and smoked duck with a slightly chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-length tobacco, toasted nuts, and crusty bread finish with moderate oak flavor. A bold and chewy mature Syrah for grilled meats.
88 points $120
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2017 GO Chardonnay
87 points
$19
Glenlofty
2017 GO Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of toasted cinnamon raisin bread, orange marmalade, grass clippings, creme anglaise, and hints of candied bacon with a crisp, fruity medium body and a seamless, medium-length finish revealing impressions of pear chutney with moderate oak flavor. A somewhat smoky Chardonnay that offers lots of interesting pairing possibilities.
87 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2018 Chardonnay
87 points
$19
Sidewood
2018 Chardonnay
Emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of vanilla-almond bark, banana pudding with vanilla wafers, butterscotch, and honey with a supple, crisp, dryish light body and a graceful, breezy finish that shows overtones of tangy apples with a suggestion of oak flavor. An easy-drinking Chardonnay with buttery charm.
87 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2019 Reserve Parcel Riesling
87 points
$22
Wakefield/Taylors
2019 Reserve Parcel Riesling
Emerald straw color. Fruity, creamy aromas and flavors of peach custard, orange meringue, straw, and pickled mango with a silky, bright, fruity light-to-medium body and a silky, interesting, medium-length finish manifesting shades of clementine, green apple, lime and pineapple, and hint of chalk with no oak flavor. A crisp and refreshing Australian Riesling with charm and wide appeal.
87 points $22
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Date Tasted:
Sidewood 2018 Mappinga Fume Blanc
87 points
$25
Sidewood
2018 Mappinga Fume Blanc
Straw green color. Aromas of dill pickles, yellow tomato, green pepper, and white grapefruit with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, medium-length lime and green apple finish. An herbal, savory Sauvignon Blanc for pairing.
87 points $25
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2015 GO Shiraz
86 points
$19
Glenlofty
2015 GO Shiraz
Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of candied bacon, purple fruit, nutmeg, and black pepper with a slightly chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a smooth, charming, medium-length finish with notes of plum pudding, grilled spice cake, and sage tea with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. A sturdy Shiraz for grilled meats.
86 points $19
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Date Tasted:
Wakefield/Taylors 2019 Pinot Noir Rosé Pinot Noir
84 points
$18
Wakefield/Taylors
2019 Pinot Noir Rosé Pinot Noir
Pink coral color. Aromas and flavors of wild strawberry, tropical fruit chutney, potpourri, and bubblegum dust with a supple, bright, fruity medium body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-length finish with notes of watermelon, cherry, and kiwi and banana. A rock-solid Rosé with ripe fruit and easy-drinking appeal.
84 points $18
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2017 Estate Pyrenees Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon
84 points
$29
Glenlofty
2017 Estate Pyrenees Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon
Ruby color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry jam, dark chocolate cookies, black banana, hint of mint, egg croissant, licorice, and black tea with a chewy, lively, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish with notes of pickled pimento with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. A firm Cabernet Sauvignon; benefits from aeration.
84 points $29
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Date Tasted:
Glenlofty 2017 Lookout Vineyard Estate Chardonnay
84 points
$29
Glenlofty
2017 Lookout Vineyard Estate Chardonnay
Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of buttery toffee, lemon cheesecake, and vanilla taffy with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a short-to-medium finish that presents notes of pineapple upside down cake with no oak flavor. A simple and palate-pleasing Chardonnay; juicy.
84 points $29
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Date Tasted:
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