Medium light. Wild cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, forest floor. Flavors that reverberate. More ripeness and warmth on the mid-palate than I have found in other WillaKenzie Pinots, but that's alright with me. Remarkable depth and a finish that lasts at least 45 seconds. No comparisons necessary. This is fine wine.
Deep ruby with violet tints and garnet at the rim. Intense smells and flavors: cherries, red plums, balsamic. Medium to full body but only 13% alcohol. Tannins are still a bit aggressive (maybe even more than they were in 2017 and 2020) and I will be in no hurry to drink my remaining bottles. Peppery, spicy finish that reminds me of a good Oregon Pinot Noir.
Medium straw, bright and clear. Captivating scents and flavors: white flowers, peaches and honey with a twist of lemon. Light and delicate on the tongue but oh so delicious. For me, this is what Chardonnay is all about.
I knew that Saltram's is an old and respected Australian winery, but this S2 bottling is not listed on their website. That's because it's a cuvee that is ordinarily sent to China. When a trade dispute occurred, however, China would not let a 30,000 case shipment into the country, and Trader Joe's (according to their story) bought all 30,000 at a discount low enough to offer it at this rock bottom price. It is not a typical Saltram Shiraz, of course, but certainly worth the price.
Bright ruby. Light color suggests that the wine has spent little or no time in oak barrels. Black raspberry smells and flavors. Medium to light body (13.5% alcohol) and minimal oak tannins. Has enough acidity to give it interest, but probably not enough concentrated fruit to justify aging. Unadorned Shiraz fruit, smooth and ready to enjoy.
Deep ruby, bright and holding well. Ripe Australian fruit plus the savory traits of Northern Rhone Syrah. Black raspberries, cassis, black olives and crushed pepper. Acidity that brings out the most attractive qualities of the ripe fruit. Tannins are well integrated. Drinking beautifully right now.
Beautiful, bright crimson red. Blueberries, strawberries, violets--the aromatics that brought me back to this wine year after year. Medium bodied, peppery structure, long finish. Every bit as good as the $4 wine I remember. That is not a backhanded compliment. When a Cotes du Rhone goes up in price, as this wine has, I usually assume that it has been matured in new oak to a degree that I don't appreciate. That is not the case here. If there has been any new oak maturation, it has not altered the aromas and flavors that I know and love. I will go back for more.
Medium deep ruby with characteristic garnet along the rim. Cherries, raspberries, violets with some dark licorice tones in the flavors. Barolo-like tannins on the mid-palate. Ripe red berry fruit on the finish. Fruit, tannin, acid in good balance. Needs an hour or two of aeration to show its best.
