Banrock Station Sparkling Chardonnay NV

Wine: Banrock Station Sparkling
Type: Chardonnay
Year: NV
Price: $3.75
Date: 2009 sometime
Reason for purchase: Wine club purchase

Review: This is a great stock standard sparkling white to keep handy for any occasion. Compared to some Blanc de Blanc's out there, this Chardonnay still holds up as a great sparkling for the Christmas table, Mother's day or any day really.

Most impressive of course is the price, but of course that is bulk wine club pricing and I have no idea what this stuff would retail for (google? $7 thankyou). Even for that price this is still a worthy wine, and I now lament buying only 1 carton and not a trailer full. Yes you can get much better sparkling whites that this, it doesn't even compare to Champagne, but that's not the point. This is a fantastic bargain wine that goes great with anything and won't break the bank.

Buy a dozen today!

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

Yalumba Y Series Pinot Grigio 2009

Wine: Yalumba Y Series
Type: Pinot Grigio
Year: 2009
Price: $8.33
Date: late 2010 sometime...
Reason for purchase: Part of the work wine club.

Review: While I reviewed the Y Series' sister wine, the Rose, earlier in 2010 I'm having a hard time recalling when I tasted the Pinot Grigio. The busy Christmas period was the likely culprit, and the empty bottle is proof and so I must review!

Another grape variety that is gaining traction in the Australian market is Pinot Grigio. A fruit white that is not too sweet and not too dry, it competes well with the influx of Sauvignon Blanc that has littered the shelves for so long. Slightly lighter and great for summer, it is the white wine that you should bring out at a barbecue or picnic.

Like the other Y Series wines, this is a typical table wine that is easy to drink but not anything special. The slight tartness that is there is indication that the winemaking was done for quantity not quality, and for that reason (and the fact I can't remember the wine that well) it gets a solid 7.


Rating: 7/10 -DF-

Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rosé 2009

Wine: Yalumba Y Series
Type: Sangiovese Rosé
Year: 2009
Price: $8.33
Date: 15/10/2010
Reason for purchase: Another wine club offer from work.

Review: I'm not a huge fan of rose, but the use of the increasingly popular Sangiovese variety swung me into purchasing a few bottles of this wine.

The variety imparts a slightly sweet and slightly sour quality to the wine, which is a lovely quality for a nice summery drop. It reminds me a little of a Sauv Blanc or Pinot Gris, but the unique flavour that is Sangiovese creates a perfect light and refreshing wine, perfect for any summer meal.

I'm more impressed with the wine giant Yalumba branching out into this little Italian. Keep a bottle in the fridge this summer for that picnic lunch on a beautiful day.

Rating: 7/10 -DF-

Hardy's Oomoo Shiraz 2006

Wine: Hardy's Oomoo
Type: Shiraz
Year: 2006
Price: $4.15 (retail $15.00)
Date: 5/03/2010
Reason for purchase: Wine club from work had an offer too good to refuse!

Review: This stuff is meant to be about $15 per bottle, so at this price it was impossible to turn down a case.

Price aside, this is a fairly easy drinking Shiraz from one of SA's largest wineries. You kind of expect it to be consistent and non-threatening, and lacking any pizazz. Given those assumptions, it delivers exactly that.

The smell out of the glass is rich and fruity, and has great potential for the first sip. Initial taste is dark and slightly peppery, just like you would expect from a McLaren Vale Shiraz, and keeps going with a nice aftertaste.

It isn't as heavy as it could be and I'm not sure how much it will develop in the bottle, given its price. However this is a standout table wine when you factor in the bargain basement price. If I were to pay full retail for it I might be a bit disappointed, however I am more than happy to keep buying case after case at this price and have it at the ready for any meal.

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

d'Arenberg Stump Jump GSM 2007

Wine: d'Arenberg Stump Jump
Type: Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
Year: 2007
Price: $9 (approx)
Date: 24/01/2010
Reason for purchase: left over from party revellers

Review: This is my first review of one of the great d'arry wines.

The initial look and taste is very dark, thick and heavy. Something that is very inviting in a big, bold McLaren Vale wine.

First taste gives a really rich port or brandy flavour, that slowly mellows out and leaves without fuss. The smell gives the same impression.

There is a definate Shiraz burst at the start, but either the Grenache or Mourvedre settle it down and give it a clean finish.

The only thing that might be lacking is a longer Shiraz aftertaste. However that could be remedied with a couple of years in the cellar. Perhaps I'll put one away to test.

Overall I'm quite pleased with this entry level darry wine. I may even put it up against The Footbolt and see how it goes.

Given it's price and great taste, this wine is highly recommend.

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

Penfolds Rawsons Retreat Shiraz Cabernet 2008

Wine: Penfolds Rawsons Retreat
Type: Shiraz Cabernet
Year: 2008
Price: $5.40
Date: 31/07/2009
Reason for purchase: Number 5 on the May half dozen.

Review: At this price there can be no expectations. But it is seriously hard to fault once you keep this in mind.

There is a nice fruity start, which moves to a quite mellow aftertaste. There are no unpleasant moments, which you'll find in similar wines of this price.

The only criticism would be a slight sharpness when you first taste. Not really acidic, but most likely its lack of age. Hard to tell if a wine of this price would mature over time in the bottle, or whether its mellow flavours were bottled that way to help it drink straight away.

No matter its faults, this is quite a nice drop, which is accentuated by its bargain basement price. I might buy another bottle to try soon, and if it matches my previous expectations, might be worth buying a case to keep the weekday table supplied.

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

Warburn Premium Reserve Barossa Cabernet Merlot 2008

Wine: Warburn Premium Reserve Barossa
Type: Cabernet Merlot
Year: 2008
Price: $8.50
Date: 24/06/2009
Reason for purchase: Another of the batch from May.

Review: This has some nice fruity flavours that come through at the start of each mouthful. However there is a bit of a heavy aftertaste that isn't particularly welcome.

There is a bit of balance between the softer Merlot parts and the heavier Cabernet parts, making this an alright drink.

The whole point of this under $10 challenge is to find out which wines are worth persevering with, and those that are just plain vinegar. This one is closer to the vinegar mark, and given it's getting closer to the $10 mark than some of the others, not highly recommended.

Rating: 6/10 -DF-

Lindemans Cawarra Cabernet Merlot 2007

Wine: Lindemans Cawarra
Type: Cabernet Merlot
Year: 2007
Price: $4.75
Date: 13/05/2009
Reason for purchase: Another one in the cheap batch from May.

Review: For under $5 I wasn't expecting much... if anything from this bottle. But it was a pleasant surprise.

It has a very pleasant, fruity taste, with no acid and a nice mellow after taste. I would put this as a simple everyday wine, especially for those looking for something that is really soft and slightly sweet tasting.

Simply put, it could well be the red cordial of wines, with a price tag to match. Not exactly a wine you'd put out to impress friends, but one to drink when you don't want the stigma of a Rose bottle on your table.

Rating: 7/10 -DF-

Angove Long Row Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Wine: Angove Long Row
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2007
Price: $7.60
Date: 5/06/2009
Reason for purchase: On the hunt for a cheap table wine.

Review: I bought this one back in May along with a collection of other wines under $10 in the hopes of finding a cheap drinkable table wine, without the cheap undrinkable taste.

This Cab Sav is a nice easy drinker, with no over-powering flavours. There is a fair bit of acid when you first taste, but it drops away pretty quickly... perhaps a little too quickly. This leaves a bit of an emptiness, as there isn't a lot of flavour left over.

Still a nice wine to grab off the shelf when you're on a budget, and drink over dinner.

Rating: 7/10 -DF-

Warburn Estate Gossips Merlot 2008

Wine: Warburn Estate Gossips
Type: Merlot
Year: 2008
Price: $6.00
Date: 17/11/2009
Reason for purchase: Given to me to try.

Review: Well I can't say no to free wine (thanks to a colleague), so I cracked this cheap red to try over dinner.

It starts soft and pretty much stays there. Nothing wrong with that, but if like a gutsy red you'll need to look elsewhere.

The flavour is nice and fruity and is a great easy drinker when you feel like something a bit lighter, and don't want any pepper.

Definately one I'll purchase as a regular table wine, and cheap to boot!

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

Aspen Estate Merlot 2008

Wine: Aspen Estate
Type: Merlot
Year: 2008
Price: $5.70
Date: 9/05/2009
Reason for purchase: I was poor

Review: Nice mellow wine, as you would expect from Merlot. Easy starter with no real explosion of flavour and quickly fizzles out.

Nice easy drinker, but lacks any great flavour.

Perhaps keep a bottle handy in the pantry for when the non-wine drinkers arrive. It's subtle taste shouldn't offend their lack of vino taste buds.

Rating: 6/10 -DF-