Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2016

16 June 2020By Yvonne

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2016 $64.99 Only the absolute best shiraz grapes make it to the finals for the St Andrews Shiraz vintage champs and once they’re in the bottle they’re immortalised forever!  (At least that’s what the winemaker whispers to them to soothe their nerves)  Deep, dark chocolate and spice, cigar box … Read More

The Hedonist McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

15 February 2020By Yvonne

The Hedonist McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 $30 I loved the 2016 vintage of this organically produced, biodynamically-grown wine, so I’ve been chomping and stomping to try the new release.  Made by winemakers Kimberly and James Cooter, this is a shiraz that is the opposite of those sweet, jammy, cheek-punchers on the supermarket shelves.  It’s the … Read More

Young & Co The Jam McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

18 August 2019By Yvonne

Young & Co The Jam McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 ($17.99) The shiny, new Young & Co ‘The Jam’ McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 ($17.99) provides a perfect pairsome with anything featuring roast beetroot.  Boasting buckets of dark berryfruit, cocoa and espresso layers, peppery punchiness and fresh, feisty acidity and caramelised, smoky, oaky notes – it’s a … Read More

Most Wanted South Australia Shiraz 2017 $11.99

14 August 2018By Yvonne

Most Wanted South Australia Shiraz 2017 $11.99 If you’re looking for an uncomplicated, easy-to-quaff, blackcurrant and plum-fest then turn off the torch and grab a bottle of this to please the crowds.  Simple berry and cherry flavours merge with a hint of liquorice and fruitcake spices to bring an easy-peasy, don’t-even-think-about-it sip. www.blackmarket.co.nz  

Reynella Basket Press McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $40 ★★★★

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Alongside the bog standard technical stuff written on the notes that accompanied my sample of this bottle (things like acidity, alcohol, pH etc…) the winemaker has added ‘Occasion = Late Night’.  I concur.  Dark chocolate, seasoned leather, cigar box and blackcurrant compote notes followed by cockle-warming, juicy, spiciness on the finish, makes this the perfect … Read More

Howard Park Leston Shiraz 2012 $43 (4.5 stars)

4 April 2017By Yvonne

When wines like this arrive at the Lorkin office, I do my happy dance.  I’d never make the cast of Limbs, or be given a place in Parris Goebel’s Royal Family, but my enthusiasm more than makes up for the lack of coordination.  This shiraz absolutely bursts with clean, peppery spices. It’s also awash with … Read More

NOW by Paxton McLaren Vale Organic Shiraz 2016 $30 (4 stars)

3 April 2017By Yvonne

The name stands for ‘Natural Organic Wine’ and in this these guys have been making organic, preservative-free wines since WAY before it was cool.  Here you’ve got a bright, vibrant, floral-fest of a shiraz which has a long, liquorice-like layer through the mid-palate.  It’s not sweet and jammy as many South Australian shiraz’s can be … Read More

Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2013

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2013 $25 ★★★★½ Named after the way that the soils dry out so much they crack and break the roots of the vines (which is actually a good thing because it controls the natural vigour of the vine) this shiraz has all those desirable pepper, liquorice, cocoa dust and cherry-berry … Read More

Beresford Bell Tower McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013

11 January 2016By Yvonne

Beresford Bell Tower McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013 $20 ★★★½ Who doesn’t love a big, rich, Australian shiraz that radiates ripe, dark, dusty berries, sweet plum and chocolate?  This is one of those wines that I warmed to straight away because the price is right and it held it’s flavours for a decent length of time … Read More

Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2014

5 January 2016By Yvonne

Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2014 $18.50 ★★★★ Wow!  Steady yourself for intense clove and Christmas cake spices on the nose alongside heady florals and sweet sandalwood notes.  In the mouth it is smooth, fleshy and generously fruity, oozing berries and chocolate characters.  It’s outstanding value and deeply satisfying.  Widely available.