Woodlands ‘Margaret’ 2007

Posted on September 20, 2009 by ByronSharp

91+ points

Wilyabrup Valley, Western Australia. 13.5%

A very impressive young Bordeaux blend 67% Cabernet, 17% Merlot, 16% Malbec. Powerful young berry fruit but unusual for Australia it’s quite savoury and the alcohol is moderate. The natural (?) acid is good and the overall balance is great. Like many great wines this will still drink well young but I’m going to try not to touch my case for another 10 years (2019).

UPDATE 2012 – this has softened a good deal. It’s a very pretty wine, gorgeous aromas. I would now tend towards drinking it earlier rather than risking cellaring. The 2008 even more so.

Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2004

Posted on September 15, 2009 by ByronSharp

90 points

Mosel, Germany. 7.5%

Lovely fruity, rather than mineraly, Riesling. Gently sweet quite forward. Enjoy now and over next few years. Cork.

Jameson’s Run Reserve 1996

Posted on September 15, 2009 by ByronSharp

77 points

Coonawarra, South Australia. 12%

The low alcohol is a nice change but this 13 year old wine is pretty tired. I did buy it only a year or so off retail shelves so did not expect much.

Chateau Lynch-Moussas 1996

Posted on September 15, 2009 by ByronSharp

90 points

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. 12.5%

Absolutely gorgeous oak aromas which seems a bit odd on a 13 year old wine and I don’t mean this is over-oaked. It’s a very nice clean clear table claret food friendly refreshing. The anti-thesis of many modern new world cabernets.

Chateau Haut Batailley 2002

Posted on September 15, 2009 by ByronSharp

90 points

Oddly dilute for a 2002 Cabernet dominant Pauillac but still beautiful. Really charming.

Montes Alpha Syrah 2006

Posted on September 11, 2009 by ByronSharp

85 points

Colchagua Valley, Chilie. 14.5%

Dark but not dense colour. Slightly syrupy but fresh and varietal Shiraz. Hard to drink too young. Gives a lot of Australian Shiraz very serious competition at the price!