Today we have thee wines from Australia and one from Maryland for your virtual tasting. The Aussie’s came from my contact at Old Bridge Cellars and the Maryland wine came from a more personal connection, Susan Southard, the media maven for the Taster’s Guild of Maryland, brought it with her during a recent visit.
2010 Omrah Unoaked Chardonnay
Plantagenet Wines, Great Southern region of Western Australia
13.5% alcohol
Appearance – In my one ounce tasting pout it was clear to pale green center, heading out to a fine gold edge.
Aroma – Honeysuckle, honeydew melon, buttered toast, kiwi, golden apple, pear, very nice!
Taste – Crisp, smooth and balanced, ripe melon, grassy, lemon, juicy, astringent on mid-palate, many pleasant qualities of a Sauvignon Blanc.
Finish – That mid palate acidity holds on…and on…and on…to a very nice long finish.
2008 Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon
14.5% alcohol
Appearance – Can you say, “PURPLE”? Followed by a ruby to tawny edge, completely opaque.
Aroma – Black cherry, plum, both wet and burnt oak, Spanish rice, palest of mint.
Taste – Jammy red and dark fruits followed by palate-drying tannins – skins are almost palatable in a very pleasant way, chewy, dusty, husband called it “a big wine.”
Finish – Lovely long finish. Looks like I’ve found a new favorite. I don’t do scores often, but I’d have to give his an 88 – almost 90.
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(Before this Cab I was only familiar with the Kilikanoon Shiraz. A favorite of mine that though wasn’t perfect to pair with Indian food, I did, as that is what our local restaurant, Karma, had as the best on their wine list. With or without food, it’s a great Shiraz.)
2009 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz
McLaren Vale, Southern Australia
14% alcohol
Appearance – Purple to ruby at the edge, opaque.
Aroma – Black cherries, black pepper, wet leaves, asparagus, bark.
Taste – The blackest of juicy red fruit pushes up front, dryness only at the mid-palate, black pepper, mouth-coating viscosity, tangy and chewy.
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Finish – Mid length on the fruit, yet long on the dry tannins, pleasant.
08 Black Ankle Vineyards, Crumbling Rock, Red Wine
(57% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec and 1% Syrah.)
Frederick County, Maryland
13.8 % alcohol
Appearance –In a one-ounce pour the wine was clear, deep ruby to a lighter edge with gold flecks. In a full pour the wine was opaque and more of a purple.
Aroma – Right off the bat? Bright cherry and stems like a Pinot Noir. Another whiff and I got some bell pepper and rose petals.
Taste – The Pinot Noir notes came through again, with bright fruit, mild tannins, with some astringency that activated my salivary glands. Susan Southard, my guest from Maryland that brought the wine, found it to have “bright black cherry and blackberry fruit.”
Finish – Medium length.