Cape Barren Wines 2012 CMC - 91pts

Cape Barren Wines 2012 CMC (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited. BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: April 8th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Sourced from a single vineyard in McLaren Vale, this instantly appealing blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc offers good continuity from the complex nose to the approachable, medium-plus bodied and soft tannin palate with aromas and flavours of cassis, licorice, sweet earth, cappuccino, caramel and light menthol. Wild berry acidity and flavours linger on the long, spiced finish. A delightful drink. Drink now-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

Two Hands Wines 2012 Angel's Share Shiraz - 90pts

Two Hands Wines 2012 Angel's Share Shiraz (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores, Costco (Washington State)
Cost: $40 (BC), $25 (WA)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Date Tasted: December 4th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A cherry-cola'n'spice fuelled beauty from McLaren Vale with complimentary sweet and savoury aromas on the intense, layered nose. This 'big boy' Shiraz (mostly) handles its substantial residual alcohol (15.2%) thanks to intense, cherry and raspberry fruit flavours, a touch of residual sugar and savoury licorice and oak characters which create a rich texture to support the alcohol through to a long, spicy finish. Drink 2014-2019.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Wolf Blass Wines 2008 Grey Label Shiraz - 90pts

Wolf Blass Wines 2008 Grey Label Shiraz (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB Signature stores
Cost: $30-35
Alcohol: 15%
Date Tasted: February 14th, 2014

Tasting Notes: From the cellar. Intense, dark cherry, dark cocoa, cardamon and peppercorn aromas pounce on your nose when you bring it to within a few inches from the glass. With time to breath, more layers of cedar and light eucalyptus notes appear and add depth. The equally intense palate follows with sharp acidity, mannered fine tannins, peppercorn puree and powerful, dark cherry extract flavours. The finish is mouth-watering and oaky with residual cherry puree and anise notes lingering moderately.

Having been sealed with a Stelvin cap enclosure, there are many years left for this intense Shiraz to mature further and mellow. Drink now-2018.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Mollydooker Wines 2009 The Maitre D - 88pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 The Maitre D (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $35.99
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Classic Aussie Cab aromas of eucalyptus, menthol and ripe cassis fruit on the expressive, sweet'n'sour nose. Good continuity brings the aromas through to the dry palate that impresses with moderate weight and an even balance of concentrated dark fruit flavours and bright acidity. Finish is a bit short for the price point, but a good showing overall. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Mollydooker Wines 2010 The Boxer - 90pts

Mollydooker Wines 2010 The Boxer (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $36.99
Alcohol: 16%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: This is a big, in-your-face Aussie Shiraz that manages to tread the perilous fence between overdone and subdued power leaning slightly towards the side of subdued. Ultra ripe dark fruit and pepper spice aromas are carried through to the massive palate with licorice and mocha flavours adding complexity. Pair with tangy BBQ steaks but leave time to quaff the gorgeous, warm nose. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Enchanted Path - 93pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Enchanted Path (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $100-110
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: Enchanted Path is Mollydooker's elite Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend which uses fruit grown on the winery's Gateway and Prime vineyards in McLaren Vale.  Barrel fermented and then aged in American (97%) and French (3%) oak, the final blend is a 66/34% split of Shiraz to Cabernet. The wine delivers classic characteristics of both varieties with the dark cassis fruit and eucalyptus from the Cab complimenting the spicy red fruit from the Shiraz. Fine tannins structure the blend very well and their controlled robustness suggests further development with another year or two of bottle aging. Drink 2013-2020.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Carnival of Love - 94-95pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Carnival of Love (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $100-110
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: When compared to the winery's iconic Velvet Glove, the Carnival of Love shiraz is a bit more attention seeking and blatantly superb. The Avis rental cars of elite level Shiraz - it has to try a little harder. This effort tends to make it, again comparatively, a better bargain than the aforementioned icon wine, delivering most of the refinement and all, if not more, of the concentration and pure expression of fruit. A trophy wine to be sure, but one you're likely to actually open. Drink Now-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

On a side note: If you stand a bottle of Carnival of Love next to its cousin, the Enchanted Path, the two labels make one complete design linking the stories of all the Mollydooker wines together.

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Velvet Glove - 95-96pts

Mollydooker Wines 2009 Velvet Glove (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Limited. BCLDB and Private wine shops
Cost: $250
Alcohol: 15.5%
Date Tasted: March 21st, 2012

Tasting Notes: For a truly iconic and cellar worthy wine, the Velvet Glove Shiraz is surprisingly approachable in its youth. The massive concentration is so well refined and balanced that just a drop on your tongue will express enough character for you to remember that moment forever. The sweet plum fruit opulence and silky smooth texture is described by the winemaking team as "fruit weight" for which they award it a near perfect score. Whatever the language used, this wine sits in your mouth like it was destined to be there. The finish goes on and on with complex layers of fruit and savoury flavours. Drink now-2024+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Gemtree Vineyards 2009 Bloodstone Shiraz - 88pts

Gemtree Vineyards 2009 Bloodstone Shiraz (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 6th, 2012

Tasting Notes: A nice change from the standard in-your-face fruit-bomb intensity that you may have grown accustomed to from Aussie Shiraz. This McLaren Vale product has an appealing nose of sweet cherry fruit, menthol and mineral notes but it is the intriguingly moderate and terroir-driven palate that makes this a wine worth seeking out. This middleweight, masculine Shiraz offers blackberry, sour cherry, rhubarb and oak flavours with loads of savoury spice making the most memorable impression. Mineral characters float behind the spice and fruit suggesting the winemakers wanted to express more than ultra-ripe fruit with this wine. Drink now-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Mitolo Wines 2009 Jester - 90pts

Mitolo Wines 2009 Jester (McLaren Vale) South Australia - Australia

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 14.9%
Date Tasted: January 29th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Aged in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill French oak for only 9 months, this potent Shiraz seems to get most of its character and tannin bite directly from the sunny, dry McLaren Vale vineyards. This makes for a more approachable wine than many of its high tannin, overly oaked, down-under cousins, though the expected intensity is still present. Produced by Ben Glaetzer for Mitolo Wines, the wine offers some classic Aussie Shiraz notes of cherry-cola, blackberry, eucalyptus, anise and pepper with a finish that is long and well balanced. Drink 2012-2015.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz - 93+pts

D'Arenberg 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz (McLaren Vale) Australia

Availability:  BCLDB

Cost: $69.99

Alcohol: 14.5%

Date Tasted:  January, 2010

Tasting Notes:  Superb.  This was an amazing wine but at $70 it is not the greatest value (yet).  This wine requires patience and may not be for the every day drinker.

The Dead Arm name comes from a vine disease that randomly effects vineyards all over the world.  This infection causes one arm of the vine to slowly deteriorate into dead wood.  While one arm is dead, the other arm produces low yields with amazing intensity.

The appearance is almost ink black. The nose was deep and complex with oak, cedar, deep black current and light tangerine.  Savory and mouth watering.  The palate is silky smooth expressing bacon, a continuation of oak, and current.  The finish is unbelievably long with some light spice.  This is a big wine with medium tannins and medium acid.  It is drinking well right now but could do with some serious time in the cellar.  This wine is young at 6 years.  Drink 2014-2024.

 - Hugh Carter for Icon Wines ©copyright 2010