Best Reds 2009

The quality of red wines in Australia has never been better. A tasting of wines from around Australia revealed some great buying from the cheapie end up to $40.There is a combination of factors contributing to this. Most Notably has been the quality of recent vintages, especially the .06 vintage in South Australia . Barossa and McLaren Vale in particular- and the 07 vintage in Western Australia.

Overall the shiraz class was outstanding and provided the greatest number of outstanding wines. Also pleasing was the number of wines using relatively new varieties to Australia.

Disappointing was the only word to describe merlots which last year were such a strong class. Likewise pinot noir of which there were only a few decent wines. Most merlot was used in the mid-priced blends which is probably the best place for it.

All Saints Shiraz 2006 ($24.95)

Lovely wine with a distinct regional character to it. Spicy earthy aromas with the influence of dark chocolate and subtle menthol gummy characters. Soft and opulent full palate with excellent oak treatment and super balance creates a solid wine for current drinking or short term cellaring.

Amberley Cabernet merlot 2007 ($22.50)

Beautifully rich and robust blend from this very good vintage. It retains a supple richness while packing some real kick with ripe assertive tannins and a little oak infusion. The palate is warm and fleshy and ideal for drinking over the next few years.

Angoves Nine Vines Shiraz Viognier 2007 ($14)

Appealing wine displaying some nice sweet spicy fruit of light plum and vanilla essence. The mix of stone fruit with a little gingery edge sits neatly with the lush plummy fruit.

Annie's Lane Coppertrail Shiraz grenache Mourvedre 2004 ($37)

Super concentrated blend of these varieties from the Clare region of South Australia. Dark earthy black berry with spice, black currant and cedar. Long sinewy tannins and powerful fruit are sustained to a long finish. Will cellar for 15 years with ease.

Balnaves of Coonawarra The Blend 2007 ($20.50)

A soft rich and flavoursome value for money blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Rich ripe tannins and sinewy fruit on the finish. Retains some typical minty red berry characters of Coonawarra.

Barking Owl Shiraz Viognier 2007 ($18.20)

Not hard to see why this scored a gold medal at the Canberra wine show last year. Lush vibrant Shiraz lifted with a sprinkling of floral Viognier spices. Sits beautifully on the palate and delivers to a controlled long finish.

Barossa valley Estates E Minor Shiraz 2006 ($17)

Thoroughly enjoyable Barossa Shiraz. Masses of coffee and mocha chocolate characters with some creamy vanillin oak. A little pepper spice lifts the finish. Excellent current drinking or for some short term cellaring.

Barossa Valley Estates Ebenezer Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005 ($38)

Big Barossa Shiraz here with its opulent earthy dark plum and vanillin oak mix on the nose leading to a sumptuously rich and sweet fruit laden palate. Lots of spice adding to the plump primary fruits. Yum.

Barwick Crush cabernet merlot 2007 ($14.95)

An appealing fruit driven medium bodied blend from the south-west. Minty red berry with deeper flavours of plum. Soft and round with fine tannins in support.

Batista Estate Pinot Noir 2007 ($38)

Bob Peruch has made some pretty good pinots but I reckon he's really on to something here. It's still a very young wine with all the gawkiness of youth but the varietal intensity and power emanating from the palate is most impressive.

Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz 2007 ($22)

Hardly ever disappoints even in challenging vintages. This is fruity and well balanced with less obvious oak and more fruit intensity. Seamless palate with fine light tannins and just a hint of oak to complete the picture.

Brookland Valley Verse 1 cabernet merlot 2007 ($19.95)

This is a cab merlot that delivers well above its fighting weight. Powerful yet with finesse and poise. Leafy cabernet with more substantial palate filling fruit cake merlot. Light cedary overlay is appealing.

Capel Vale Regional Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($22.50)

One of the most improved and impressive producers in WA. This wine is sourced from some quality Margaret River vineyards. It translates into this exceptional good wine of poise and effortless length and persistence.

Cimicky The Trumps Shiraz 2007 ($20)

Consistent and underrated producer from the Barossa. This is a might good value for money wine from a quite difficult vintage. Plenty of warm lush ripe Shiraz displaying a nice savoury earthy character.

Clairault Shiraz 2004 ($24)

Deep sweet earthy savoury Shiraz from this Margaret River producer which has really lifted its game in recent years. Deep powerful mouth filling flavours with a light leafy overtone and more complex savoury notes. Great balance of oak and fruit.

D'Arenberg The Sticks and Stones 2005 ($34.75)

Wonderful blend of the Spanish variety Tempranello with Grenache and Shiraz. It's supple and generous yet there is real structure and poser sitting in that long palate. Delightful floral fragrances provide an enticing opening which is delivered in spades on the palate.

De Bortoli Gulf Station Pinot Noir 2008 ($19.70)

One of the better pinots submitted for this tasting. De Bortolis have been doing some good things with pinot and this one displays the ethereal heady characters of violets and sour cherry of this variety, while the palate though light bodied has structure and underlying power.

De Bortoli Lucia 2006 ($30.25)

This is an interesting blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese and petit verdot. Dusty floral aromas with dark fruits on the nose with a tight controlled and supremely elegant palate structure. Lovely wine.

De Bortoli Vat 1 Durif 2007 ($13.05)

Multi trophy and gold-medal winning wine delivering the classic warm luxurious fruit intensity of this variety. Neatly infused cedary oak with the firmish tannins and ripe licorice plum fruit makes for an enticing sumptuous drink.

De Bortoli Windy Peak sangiovese 2006 ($14.95)

Remarkably complex sangiovese for this price point and shows what you can do with a little thought. It has more fruit sweetness and plumpness that you'd expect but the typical dry savoury finish picks up the palate perfectly. Very good food wine for the next few years.