RUSDEN Cabernet Sauvignon (Boundaries) 2003

Grape                             : Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of Origin : (South) Australia
Region                           : Barossa Valley
Vintage                         : 2003
Producer                     : Rusden
Alcoholic Content : 14%

Damage to my purse : About S$42 each for a case of 6.

Characteristic :
Ruby-red and medium bodied.  Of pronounced aroma of cassis on the nose, and of slight spicy sharpness that triggered the senses.  On the palate, it was like a jammy fruit bomb, with picking up notes of cedar, almond, and oak.  Lovely texture, of velvety smooth tannins, balanced acidity, and good length.

MY TAKE : A very good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (I haven’t drunk for a long time), and of great value too.

James Irvine Grand Merlot 2005 (Eden Valley)

Grape : Merlot
Country of Origin : South Australia
Region : Barossa (Eden Valley)
Vintage : 2005
Alcoholic Content : 14.5%
Producer : James Irvine

Damage to my purse : Great buy from a wine distributor at S$65 (which could cost around S$100 or more).

Characteristic :
Rusty burgundy (in colour).  This wine can pass off as a full bodied Merlot.  It was extremely jam-my, plummy, with lots of sweet preserved fruits and some undertone of oaks on the nose.  With generous creamy smooth entry, quite a savoury wine.  It has consistent rich and condensed sweetness of raspberries and preserved fruits,  slightly spicy with some oak in the backdrop.  Do decant this wine as it has lots of sediment and required at least an hour to aerate.

MY TAKE : This James Irvine Grand Merlot 2005 was not your usual Merlot; it was very heavy and full bodied.  Because of its densely sweet nature, the wine will pair well with food like foie gras, duck dishes, and even kurobuta pork belly.

TORBRECK RunRig 2004

Grape                              : Shiraz (blended with a small percentage of Viognier)
Country of Origin : (South) Australia
Region                           : Barossa Valley
Vintage                          : 2004
Alcoholic Content : 14.5%
Wine Advocate         : 99 points

Damage to my purse : Bought at S$200.  Actual retail price is at least $250 and restaurant price $600++.

Characteristic :
This wine was extremely full bodied and its colour was so dark, to an extend, it looked onyx.  Even after decanting the wine for more than an hour (I think 3 hours of decanting is needed), the smell was still aggressively sharp and with punches of fruity fragrance.  The taste was too intense and heavy, and small sips were needed to really taste the wine.  There were taste of ripen dark berries, sweet dried dates, licorice, pepper, strawberry jam, bitter (slight), and other fruity flavours.  A little sappy and the finishing was smooth but with the syrupy sweetness lingering for a while.

MY TAKE : 1 glass per seating is sufficient, any drop more will be too over powering for the palate.  For the price, I find this wine lacks finesse.

HEWITSON Private Cellar SHIRAZ Mourvedre 2006

Grape                               : Shiraz Mourverdre
Country of Origin   : (South) Australia
Region                             : Barossa Valley
Vintage                           : 2006
Alcoholic Content : 14.0%
Producer Branding: Private Cellar (It’s a 1.5 litre bottle, a.k.a. Magnum.  Only 200 magnums were released.)

Damage to my purse : Got a very good deal at less than S$400 for 4 magnums.  Some other places were selling at S$400 per magnum.

Characteristic :
Appearance – extremely dark purple-red.
On the nose – great fragrance from prune, black cherry, and oak.
On the palate – intense black cherry, plum, spice, and fine oak.  Consistent tannins but never overpowering.  With long and smooth finishes.

MY TAKE : Excellent wine to bring for this coming CHRISTMAS celebration!

KAESLER Alte Reben Mataro 2008

Grape                               : Mataro
Country of Origin   : (South) Australia
Region                             : Barossa Valley
Vintage                           : 2008
Alcoholic Content : 16.0%
Producer Branding: Alte Reben (extremely limited release of 100 dozen only)

Damage to my purse : About AU$80.

Characteristic :
This is a very ‘powerful’ strong red and has to allow at least 2 hours in the decanter.
It is full-bodied with colour of deep purple-red.
With extreme intensity to both the nose and the palate, with taste of ripen fruits, sweet cherries, and very smooth finishing.  This is not your usual straight-forward red.

MY TAKE : An incredibly heavy wine with alcoholic content higher than most reds.  It’s a great wine to share with a few friends.

MESHACH Shiraz 2002 (Grant Burge Barossa)

Grape : Shiraz
Country of Origin : South Australia
Region : Barossa Valley
Vintage : 2002
Alcoholic Content : 14%

Damage to my purse : > S$100 (private purchase -collectibles)

Characteristic :
– Deep ruby-red (‘century-old’ colour)
– Medium bodied
– Intensely perfumed nose features ripe cherry, blackberry, and cassia accented by vanillin oak
– Deep rich and creamy, with plum and dark berry flavours
– Mild tannins and pronounced notes of oak spices
– Finishes sweet, juicy and very long

MY TAKE : Very impressive wine and I love it!  Every drop is worth the money.