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-

St Hallett Rosedale Shiraz 2008

Wine: St Hallett Barossa Rosedale Vinyard
Type: Shiraz
Year: 2008
Price: unknown (google says around $17)
Date: 9/05/2011
Reason for purchase: Birthday gift

Review: I've seen this at a few bottle shops before, and I think they sell for around the $15-18 mark. After only cellaring it for 2 months, and given it was free, I thought it would be ok to crack it open and see what it's like.

The first taste is slightly acidic, but fruity and full bodied. There is a solid spicy Shiraz flavour, something you would expect from the Barossa region. The mouth feel is dry but doesn't leave you clicking your tongue. There is a definite lack of age, possibly no oak even which is hard to work out because there is no mention of the production method on the label. Of course not leaving it for 3-5 years didn't help, but at this price I don't think it has serious cellaring potential anyway.

Overall this is an average red, nothing special, but certainly better than some of the sub $10 rubbish. I'm not quite sure I would pay retail price for it though, and based on that it doesn't get any higher than a 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-

Miller Chill - Chellada style lager

Style: Chellada style lager
Price: $48 for a 24 pack carton
Size: 330ml
Alc/Vol: 5.6%
Date: 16/12/2009
Reason for purchase: summer beer time!

Review: I recall a couple of years ago buying a 6 pack of this, and recent hot weather prompted me look into this interesting summer beer again.

Being American it is very mild, to say the least. You really do get the sense you're drinking soda water with this beer, which for some people might sound terrible. However if you're in the mood for something light, summery and refreshing, I think this beer can be a winner.

It's light flavour is matched with a slight limey tang, as is the chellada style. Think of it as a Sol or Corona with its lime wedge on display.

I would put this beer in similar light to Barefoot Radler (for the benefit of those who have tried that), and is definately a summer hit when you've had enough of the gin and tonic.

If you're a big malty, hoppy fan, you probably won't be impressed. As I said, it's not for everyone but I have enjoyed it this summer.

Rating: 7/10 -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-