2009 d’Arenberg ‘The Footbolt’ Shiraz,
McLaren Vale
South Australia, Australia
This is a pretty standard medium SA red, having a good nose on opening with a dark colour and slightly peppery and earthy undertones.
It lingered lightly on the palate. It should age well in the bottle for a few more years, It very well complimented a dinner of beef bourguignon and was liked by both male and female diners. It also went well with cheese and biscuits. At $22 retail a bottle, I would buy this again and cellar it for a few more years.
2009 Bimbadgen Shiraz
Hunter Valley
New South Wales, Australia
This was a nice surprise as I was once told by Murray Tyrrell, that the Hunter Valley does not produce good reds. This had a strong red colour and you could smell the fruit in it on opening the bottle.
The slightly peppery and earthy tannins were pleasant and lingered nicely on the palate. This wine should cellar well for a few more years. It was consumed with a meal of both pan seared fish and sirloin steak and went very well with both.
2008 Chateau Lalande-Borie
Saint Julien
Bordeaux, France
For something different this wine is the answer. A very nice Bordeaux medium red, it lacks the strength and character of our Australian reds.
However, it was certainly very pleasant and a hit with both the ladies and men at dinner. The slightly lighter body and just a hint of sweetness made it very easy drinking. It may cellar well for a few more years but could be at its peak now.