Cassegrain. 2004 Reserve Shiraz

General: I had some friends around for dinner last night and some of them brought this wine. I almost fell off my chair when I tasted it. It was awesome. I saved a little to try again today. Fantastic stuff!

Variety: Shiraz

Region/GI: Northern Rivers, Hastings River NSW

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Great complex nose. Cedary tones mingled with stewed fruit (plum?) and some spice, black pepper slightly ahead of cinammon.

Flavour: Wonderful. Lengthy stewed fruit evenly spread throughout with a peppery undertone. Delicate tannins. Great structure.

Points: 88

Notes: I am surprised to find this comes from Northern Rivers as this is a small and little known district. This wine has been sitting in a cellar for a while. The 2007 Reserve Shiraz is currently on sale at $35 (630 Kc). The winery has been added to the list of places to visit.

Fischers. 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

General: After buying this, I discovered it is the private label of a small wine chain here. I tasted it two weeks ago and didn't like it. I retasted my second bottle tonight with similar results.

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot

Region/GI: Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek, SA

Alcohol: 14.3%

Bouquet: The bouquet is very nice - very plummy with a hint of vanilla. (If I tasted this blind, I would not guess Cab Sav)

Flavour: Not good. Simple and rather flat, the only good thing about it is the dry finish.

Points: 76

Notes: At $15 (270 Kc) there is so much better wine on the market. I won't be trying this brand for a very long time.

Tintara. 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

General: Something being shared by my sister. Fabulous.

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region/GI: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale, SA

Alcohol: 14%

Bouquet: Deep. Actually a little more plummy than blackcurrant although both present.

Flavour: Dense. Complex. The blackcurrant comes through in the taste as well as dark chocolate. While savouring these flavours which are lengthy, a very smooth, dry tannic finish completes the sensation. Great stuff.

Points: 87

Notes: The 2005 is no longer available in store. The 2007 retails for $27 (486 Kc). The funny thing is that my sister received this as a gift from a friend who took it from her boyfriend's wine collection. It seems he has good taste and we enjoyed it.

Campbells. 2008 Shiraz Durif

General: I'm tracking down various Durif blends at the moment as they seem to be well done here. This was a very enjoyable choice.

Varieties: Shiraz, Durif

Region/GI: North East Victoria, Rutherglen

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Wonderfully balanced bouquet with equal measure raspberry, earthy spice and something like Christmas cake (stewed prunes, sultanas)

Flavour: Given the age, I expected something aggressive but this is surprisingly smooth. Medium length with a mild, tannic finish. The fruit flavours of ripe (black) cherry, hints of raspberry and prunes exist throughout the sip. Gentle and well done.

Points: 83

Notes: I opened the bottle yesterday and prefer the taste today. The complexity is much more apparent and I am tempted to rate it a little higher. I'll be buying more of this at the reasonable price of $14 (c. 250 Kc).