Cabernet's biggest rival to the throne, Syrah or Shiraz as it's known in Australia is almost as versatile and makes juicy, blackberried, easy drinking reds all over the world. However in its Rhône Valley home and in and around the Barossa in Australia it makes structured, complex and alluring reds that line the world's best cellars. Very few wines in the €15 - €30 bracket can match the opulence, class and density of a good Shiraz/Syrah.
The latest vintage of Torbreck’s knockout is bursting with ripe crushed berry fruit. With a silken texture and a long finish of pure fruit and a veil of oak this is probably the best GSM they Torbreck have made.
"This is a fine example of what Australia can do best: offer affordable, quality wine that is ripe and rich and which - if it was French - would command a €50 price tag. If this powerful combination of ultra-luscious, dark, over-ripe plum jam tastes, tar and liquorice notes and searing spice and heat were from the southern Rhône or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it would be critically feted."Vintage 2005: Tomás Clancy - 01 May 2009
The tradition always impresses in blind tastings with tasters invariably pricing it much higher than its lowly Ç10.99. A fitting tribute to the stellar quality of the Cave de Rasteau winemakers.
"A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the Rasteau Ortas Tradition is a big, chunky wine with masses of dark, dense fruit, and robust but approachable tannins. Try it with a steak or a good meaty stew. "Katherine Donnelly - 12 January 2008
Consistently rated "Outstanding" by uber wine critic Robert Parker the Woodcutter's Shiraz is a very classy Barossa Shiraz . Made from some of Torbreck' younger vine fruit it is designed to be drunk when young and exuber ...
"Deep garnet to purple colour. Invigorating nose of freshly crushed blackberries, eucalyptus, Chinese five spice, liquorice and black pepper. The palate is superbly balanced providing a medium+ level of velvety tannins and medium to high acidity. Very long peppery finish. Drink now to 2015. "Rated "Outstanding" 91 Points: Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate - 09 February 2009
Rated 'Outstanding', 90 Parker Points, this Grenache, Mataro (Mouvedre), Shiraz blend is centered around incredibly bright, concentrated mixed berry fruit. Needs no ageing, decanting or food just open and indulge!
"It is a delicious, soft, unoaked wine of vibrant cherry, raspberry and light red berries, with medium tannins and lovely spice. Ideal with tuna, salmon or dark, meaty cuts of fish, or a rich salad."Tomás Clancy - 27 September 2009
Ranked among the very best Rhône producers this wine is rated ''Outstanding'' 90 points by Robert Parker. A top quality Côtes du Rhône-Villages incredibly smooth and laden with lush, sweet brambly fruit and subtle oak
Very accomplished red with plenty of soft, ripe mixed berry and plummy fruit. Mid weight with a supple palate and a long finish. Chateau Remaury is super versatile, great with food but equally impressive on its own.
The new Rhône red from Rasteau's leading producer, has already been highly recommended by Wine Spectator. A juicy, brambly red that is massively over delivers at this price
"Soft, big and rounded, but not over the top, this would go down nicely with most barbequed pork, beef and lamb."John Wilson - 27 June 2009
Owned by Goelet estates (famous for Clos du Val) Taltarni is at the very top of the quality ladder.
Easily one of the Languedoc region's standout wines. Nizas is a serious, structured red with tremendous depth of rich, dark-berried fruit. With massive ratings from the worlds’ best wine critics, this is outstanding qua ...
"A core of concentrated raspberry, red plum and kirschlike flavours. There's plenty of fresh aciditiy as well, with a bright finish of pepper and spice. Should open up with time in the cellar. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Drink now through 2015. 4,000 cases made. "Rated "Outstanding" 91 Points
In years to come wine-drinkers will look back in amazement at how cheaply Coyam sold for in 2009! It is without a doubt on a different level to nearly all other Chilean wines, this will one day be a €50 wine if not more!
"This one never fails to impress and becomes even more appealing at the post-Budget prices. So restrained, yet so full-bodied and vibrant, packed with cool blueberry flavours wrapped in toasty, spicy oak... This will go down well at any dinner party where a good roast is being served."Katherine Donnelly - 16 January 2010