Langmeil Winery 2015 Valley Floor Shiraz - 90+pts

Langmeil Winery 2015 Valley Floor Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $30-35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 10th, 2019

Tasting Notes: The Langmeil Valley Floor is like a meta-critic constructed, amalgamation of an Aussie Shiraz; something to like for all tastes. You like deep, dark fruit in your Shiraz? Check. You like moody, mysterious eucalyptus in your Shiraz? Check. You like added layers of cocoa, savoury spice, sweet peppercorn and cola? Check. You like it full bodied and full flavoured, yet, not over extracted? Check.

If it checks so many boxes, why not a perfect score then? Because it also checks the box for 'a safe bet, something that will please fans of Shiraz but isn't too challenging'. The 'Fluffy' Iglesias of Shiraz. Ready to go now. Drink now-2022.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Teusner Wines 2009 Righteous Grenache - 91pts

Teusner Wines 2009 Righteous Grenache (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited
Cost: $95 (Aus), $130 (Can)
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: February 14th, 2019

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. At 10 years of age the nose has fully matured with a developed, enchanting bouquet of black plum, prune, incense, sage, lavender and black raspberry seeds. The similarly flavoured, silky palate is beginning to grow thin with a fading finish of earthy spices and a touch of fleshy plum fruit. Drink now.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Grant Burge Wines 2012 Berryfield - 88pts

Grant Burge Wines 2012 Berryfield (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited
Cost: $23 (Australia)
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 7th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Cherry and pepper galore on the nose of this Barossa Valley Shiraz with light menthol and oak aromas supported. This balanced combo carries through to the dry-yet-juicy, mouth-watering palate where the spices become more prominent on the moderate finish. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Chris Ringland Wines 2012 Barossa Shiraz - 89pts

Chris Ringland Wines 2012 Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited
Cost: $25 (Australia)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: December 5th, 2014

Tasting Notes: Fruit-forward, chewy and bursting with flavour, this Shiraz leans towards the 'too much' end of the residual sugar spectrum, but its proportioned acidity and mannered, fine tannins keep it balanced and allows the drinker to appreciate the layers of blackberry and cherry fruit complimented by eucalyptus and pepper on the nose and palate. Drink 2014-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Two Hands Wines 2013 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz - 91pts

Two Hands Wines 2013 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores, Costco (Washington State)
Cost: $40 (BC), $25 (WA)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: December 3rd, 2014

Tasting Notes: Dense, intense and... well, gnarly. Blackberry purée, maraschino cherry, menthol, mild cured meats, spicy dark chocolate, hot tar and sweet vanilla oak aromas grace the quaff-able nose. A wine for folks who crave a chewy, tannic palate with dense, dark red fruit, Christmas cake spice and mouth watering acidity - classic Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2014-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Glaetzer Wines 2010 Amon-Ra - 97pts

Glaetzer Wines 2010 Amon-Ra (Ebenezer) Barossa Valley - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and private wine stores
Cost: $88
Alcohol: 15.1%
Date Tasted: August 2nd, 2014

Tasting Notes: This intense, impressive specimen begins its journey to your cellar via vineyards in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa Valley whose dry-grown vines range from 50-130 years of age and are cropped to a measly 1-tonne per hectare. A paltry amount that yields crazy, OMG-concentration on the sublime, rabbit-hole deep nose and the powerful-yet-refined palate.

This wine is chalk-full of tasting note favourites for intense Shiraz like cherry purée, floral, white pepper, cinnamon, orange zest, fig, mocha, blueberry and vanilla. What sets this wine apart from other highly extracted Aussie Shiraz is its inherent ability to minimize the extraction to the consumer, producing an elegant, cellar-worthy icon. Enjoy over the next decade and a half. Drink 2014-2025+.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Yalumba 2008 FDR1A - 91pts

Yalumba 2008 FDR1A (Eden Valley) Barossa Valley - South Australia - Australia

Availability: Special order from BCLDB, Private Wine Shops
Cost: $30-40
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 29th, 2013

Tasting Notes: Irresistibly intense, classic Aussie Cabernet-Shiraz aromas of eucalyptus and cherry-cola leap from the glass and tickle your nostrils while vanilla, oak spice and plum notes add complexity. Equally intense on the palate with a similar flavour profile and enhanced toasted oak elements adding a nice structure of tannins supporting the concentrated fruit and acidic kick. Finish is balanced but too short.

Approaching its ideal drinking window, though, is tasting great today if you can't wait another year. Drink 2014-2020.
  - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Schild Estate 2008 2nd Blend Barossa Shiraz - 88pts

Schild Estate 2008 2nd Blend Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley) Australia

Availability: BCLDB Signature Stores
Cost: $17.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: January 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A dense, tart and juicy Shiraz with big, dark red fruit mingling with licorice and pepper aromas which envelope the nose sensually. Concentration continues through to the palate with similar flavours and intensity yet never strays towards the dreaded "jammy" character of so many modern Aussie Shiraz. Mouth-watering acidity brightens the palate and keeps the dense fruit and oak flavours feeling fresh with sour rhubarb notes.

Pair with your favourite recipe for BBQ ribs. Ready to be enjoyed now and has the tannins and acid to last another 3 more years, but development may be minimal, so why wait? Drink now-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Glaetzer Wines 2009 Amon-Ra - 97+pts

Glaetzer Wines 2009 Amon-Ra (Ebenezer) Barossa Valley - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and private wine stores
Cost: $84.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 26th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Vines ranging in age from 50-120 years old produce the fruit for this world icon of Australian Shiraz. Such old vines yield minuscule quantities of grapes (about a half-tonne per acre) but the grapes that do grow contain intense concentration. 100% new oak (80% French, 20% American) is used during élevage (15 months) to add structure and complexity, but the key to this wine is the careful selection of the fruit - only the best of the best is used to preserve the elegance and refinement one expects from the Amon-Ra.

To write that this wine is complex is an understatement. The nose starts with ripe cherry, floral, white pepper, cinnamon, orange zest and warm oak aromas and then, given ample time to open-up, later evolves into a rich milk chocolate seductress. The dry palate follows with layers of prominent dark cherry, bright red fruit, leather, tobacco and toasted oak flavours. Near-perfect balance has been achieved by managing extraction creating rounded tannins that confidently support the massive concentration on the palate but never out-shine the fruit characters. The finish is very long with lingering spice and oak notes. Medium-plus acidity will mellow with another two years plus of aging and then the sky's the limit for this amazing wine. Drink 2013-2025+.
 - Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Two Hands Wines 2008 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz - 90pts

Two Hands Wines 2008 Gnarly Dudes Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores, Costco (Washington State)
Cost: $40 (BC), $25 (WA)
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: September 23rd, 2010

Tasting Notes: Tart and tannic at times, but oh so tasty. A sublime nose with layers and layers of complex, highly concentrated aromas ranging from sweet eucalyptus to spicy dark chocolate to savory toasted oak. The tart palate explodes with concentrated flavours of dark fruits and Christmas Cake spice. The tannins are a touch sharp, but fully ripe. Drink 2010-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2010

Jacob's Creek 2007 Steingarten Riesling - 90pts

Jacob's Creek 2007 Steingarten Riesling (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited availability. Some BCLDB stores.

Cost: $24.50

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: June 13th, 2010

Tasting Notes: This medium-straw coloured wine offers intense aromas of lemon grass, butter, rubber, citrus and petrol notes on the nose. The palate has a slightly effervescent texture and solid, citrus acidity that is very refreshing. Concentrated flavours of river bed stones, lime, grapefruit and orchard fruit follow suit.
This wine does a fantastic job expressing where it comes from - its terroir. One imagines a steep, rocky and windy mountainside vineyard when tasting the intense mineral flavours. This is an excellent, fully-dry Riesling with good concentration and character - it certainly has something to say. Drink now through 2016.
 - Liam Carrier and Hugh Carter

Yalumba 2005 Shiraz-Viognier - 88pts

Yalumba 2005 Shiraz-Viognier (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Select fine wine shops.

Cost: $22-25

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: March 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A big and bold Shiraz from Australia's Barossa Valley producer Yalumba. The intense bouquet of cedar, white pepper, light perfume, green pepper, mocha and milk chocolate are dominated by loud and large dark fruits. The concentrated, but not jammy, dark fruit is carried through to the dry and full-bodied palate. Flavours of toasted oak, light stone and black pepper add complexity to this wine that would do a grilled peppercorn-encrusted streak justice.

Blended with 5% Viognier for added complexity on the nose, this wine has aged effortlessly in the five years since it was harvested with its solid acidity and good tannin structure and should continue to hold in the bottle for another 2-3 years. Drink now through 2013.
 - Liam Carrier

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve - 89pts

St. Hallett 2007 Shiraz - Grenache Gamekeepers Reserve (Barossa) South Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores and private wine shops

Cost: $14.95

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: A great value Australian blend. The appearance was deep purple and opaque. The nose offered notes of coffee, raspberry, and black licorice. The palate was jammy and continued with raspberry, tar, and expresso. The finish was long and peppery. Overall this wine was smooth and bold, very fruit forward and very new world. If you like jammy wines this would be for you. Generally well balanced.

- Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010

Grant Burge 2005 Barossa Vines Shiraz - 87pts

Grant Burge 2005 Barossa Vines Shiraz (Barossa Valley) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Widely available. BCLDB stores, Private wine stores

Cost: $19.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted: October 19th, 2009

Tasting Notes: This inky-garnet coloured wine from top Australian producer Grant Burge is a fruit-forward powerhouse of flavour as is to be expected with big Aussie Shiraz. On the nose you'll get youthful, intense aromas of nibs, vanilla, cherries, licorice with notes of crayola wrapping paper.

On the palate this medium-plus bodied wine offers flavours of red fruits, candied-cherries and licorice with medium acidity, high tannins and a long, pleasing finish. Drink now through 2012. - LC