A Black Beauty - Worth Every Penny

We enjoyed a bottle of Kay Brothers Hillside Shiraz (2002) today, this was a 90+ point bottle of wine; in fact I don’t recall a bottle of Amery Hillside scoring less than 90 points in the last 8 vintages.

This is a massive wine, and a few years in the bottle haven’t dampened its spirits. The Amery Hillside is as black as the Amazon jungle after sun-down, its nose packs a Tyson-esk punch full of the richest berries, on the palate the glorious fruits subsided (eventually) leaving a well balanced finish of pepper and licorice – with a little truffle (according to my wife).

Perhaps a touch pricey, but if you’re looking for a fantastic Shiraz, seek out a bottle of Kay Brothers Amery Hillside, you won’t regret it.

Extra-Terrestrial - Cometa

Sicilian wines have come on leaps and bounds over the last 10 years and Planeta is a great example of this success.

Their 2007 Cometa, which is made from 100% Fiano, a white grape variety that is unique to Sicily, brings a fantastic array of flavors to bear.

The bottle is tinted yellow, disguising the wine as some sort of late harvest dessert wine, but it is not. Once released from the bottle you get a brilliant straw color with a rich nose of pears and citrus, and then on the palate you get a rich concentration fruits and herbs that linger long enough to ensure your complete satisfaction – this isn’t your usual Chard or SV, this grape has potential and the 2007 clearly gets it done – don’t be afraid, this ones special.

If anyone knows the history behind the terrestrial names (Planeta & Cometa), I’d be very interested to know more?

SAQ code : 00705046 $38.25

Quick, it's a Tua Rita!

Tua Rita is famous for ‘Parker’ pleasing big reds such as their 100% Merlot, Redigaffi, and their Bordeaux blend, Giusti di Notri, both of which retail at mucho dollars (if you can find them). However, they haven’t had the same success with there little brother Rosso dei Notri; that is until now.

Priced in the $20s the 2007 vintage is a fantastic example of how good low cost Tuscan wines can be.

Ready to drink straight after the cork leaves the bottle; stick your hooter in the glass and draw in a great nose full of ripe berries with a little hint of smokiness. In the mouth you’ll be pleasantly greeted with bright berries giving way to plums and just the right amount of herbs and spices. But beware, this wine is best chugged, as its half-life is short, after an hour or two the wine looses its structure as the plum in the fruit basket bully’s its way to the forefront. But don’t let this put you off, this a cracker and it might be your only opportunity to say you’ve partaken in the cult that is Tua Rita.

SAQ code : 10843335

A New Constitution...

A South African Shiraz that could easily be mistaken for a $50 block-buster from the Barossa Valley, the only difference is this little beauty is available for less than $30.

Dark, dense and intense - Number One Constitution Road Shiraz has all the characteristics you’d expect to find in a great Shiraz, forward black fruit but with enough structure to maintain a long finish backed with spice tones and a little pepper.

Take to a dinner party and start the wine conversation with the fact that Number One Constitution Road is a special effort released to coninside and celebrate ten years of democracy in South Africa under the new constitution, and how better than with a fine red wine.

Shiraz Number One Constitution Road Robertson 2005 SAQ code : 10703332

Tasting Notes