The Event: Australia Today: history – evolution – revolution (trade and media tasting)

The Date and Time: Monday, February 23, 2015  1PM to 4PM

The Event: Australia Today: history – evolution – revolution (trade and media tasting)

The Venue: Vintage Conservatory Lombard Street

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: according to the catalogue, wines were available at the LCBO and by Private Order (PO). The catalogue was nicely put together by winery with a separate index to the wines.

The Quote/Background: Mark Davidson discussed Australia's 200 years of winemaking, highlighting regional differences and traditions and what the future holds. Then we had a self-pour tasting to examine other bottles of wines from Australia.

The Wines: There were 55 wines; I did not taste all of them.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Casella 1919 Shiraz 2006, $100 Con

-Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2013, $30 Consignment

-Josef Chromy Sparkling 2008, $30 Vintages

-Vasse Felix Chardonnay Filius 2013, $28 Cons

-Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $25 HVC

-Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $27.95 Vintages Essential

-Yabby Lake Chardonnay 2012, $79 PO

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $21.95 PO

-Casella 1919 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $100 Con

-Jacob's Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, $16.95 LCBO

-Fowles Wines Are You Game? Chardonnay 2013, $15.95 LCBO

-Langmeil Valley Floor 2012, $30 HVC

-Heggies Eden Valley Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, $31.95 PO

-John Duval Plexus 2009, $35.88 Vintages

-Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $19.95 Vintages

-Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $45 Cons

-Haycutters Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014, $15.80 LCBO

-Wakefield Estate Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, $14.95 LCBO

-Teusner Independent Shiraz Mataro 2012, $19.95 Vintages

-Wirra Wirra The Dead Ringer Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $59.95 PO

-Yabby Lake Block I Pinot Noir 2012, $85 PO

-Yabby Lake Red claw Chardonnay 2014, $34.95 PO

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Alpha Crucis Titan Shiraz 2012, $24.95 Vintages

-Barossa Valley Estate GSM 2012, $21.95 PO

-Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2012, $21.95 Vintages

-Fowles Wines Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz 2012, $35.95 LCBO

-Fowles Wines Stone Dwellers Cabernet 2012, $19.95 LCBO

-Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, $29.95 Vintages

-Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2012, $64.95 Cons

-Lime Coast Winery Hidden Sea Shiraz 2013, $16.95 LCBO

-Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2012, $30+ Consignment

-Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache 2013, $25 Cons

-Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2012, $19.95 Cons

-Tahbilk The Tower Shiraz 2012, $20 Vintages

-Tahbilk The Tower MVR [marsanne-viognier-rousanne] 2012, $20 Vintages

-Wakefield Estate Chardonnay 2013, $14.95 Vintages

-Teusner Joshua Barossa Valley Grenache Mataro Shiraz 2012, $29.95 Cons

-Wirra Wirra The Church Block [cab sauv,syrah, merlot) 2012, $19.95 Vintages

 

The Food: shrimp, international cheeses, lamb sausages, cold cuts, and more!

The Downside: it came right after the Zenato tasting, and the room (and tables) was soon crowded.

The Upside: a chance to catch-up with some really stunning wines.

The Contact Person: popoffanne@gmail.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com