New World Wines - Classics Collection

Proprietors Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz are the 'two hands' behind this negociant-style business which has a reputation for making some of Australia's best Shiraz. Winemaker Matthew Wenk crafts the Samantha's Garden from the winery's best barrels of Clare Valley Shiraz. No reviews were available at press time, but it should be noted that this wine has scored 93 or above in The Wine Advocate since its debut. The 2006 vintage was aged for 16 months in seasoned French hogsheads, 60% 1-year-old and the remaining 2- and 3-year-old. Anticipate a deep-purple-coloured wine with a fragrant, complex nose, elegant structure, layers of fruit and well-integrated tannins. It should drink well over the next 10 years or more.

BROKENWOOD GRAVEYARD VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2005
Hunter Valley, New South Wales

658468 (XD) 750 mL $75

TASTING NOTE: The purple-colored 2005 Graveyard Shiraz was aged in 80% French oak and 20% American, 80% of it new. It reveals an expressive perfume of cedar, smoke, mocha, plum, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a medium-bodied but mouth-filling Shiraz with gobs of flavor, light tannin, and good length. The wine merits 6-8 years of cellaring and should provide pleasure through 2025. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

CLARENDON HILLS PIGGOTT RANGE SYRAH 2005
McLaren Vale, South Australia

15701 (XD) 750 mL $199

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Syrah Piggott Range is quite backward currently. Glass-coating, it is deep crimson in color with mineral notes, violets, spice box, black pepper, espresso, smoked game, and blueberry aromatics. Deceivingly opulent, it has enough structure to merit 8-10 years of cellaring and should make old bones. Drink it through 2035. Score - 97. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

FOX GORDON HANNAH'S SWING SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

683284 (XD) 750 mL $45

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz "Hannah's Swing" is a selection of the winery's best barrels from the oldest vines. It has a super-expressive bouquet of toasty oak, wood-smoke, sausage, blueberry, and chocolate notes. Plush, thick, and full-bodied, it has gobs of fruit, well-concealed tannins, and 6-8 years of aging potential. It can be enjoyed now through 2025. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

GLAYMOND THE DISTANCE SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

658484 (D) 750 mL $45

TASTING NOTE: ...the 2005 Shiraz "The Distance" which was aged in French oak for 24 months. Purple/black in color, it exhibits a superb aromatic array of cedar, spice box, black pepper, and blueberry. Full-bodied, layered, super rich, and ripe, it conceals ample sweet tannin. Give this personality-filled Shiraz 6-8 years in the cellar and drink it through 2030. Drink 2013-2030. Score - 94. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

JOHN DUVAL ENTITY SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

73056 (XD) 750 mL $55

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Entity is 100% Shiraz, 100% barrel-fermented in 45% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it delivers a nearly ethereal perfume of smoky oak, spice box, pencil lead, meat, game, violets, and blueberry muffin. Full-bodied yet surprisingly elegant, this Shiraz has superb balance, great depth, layers of flavor, and a very long, pure finish. It will surely evolve for 6-8 years but few will be able to delay their gratification. Score - 93. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

JOHN DUVAL PLEXUS SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

73049 (XD) 750 mL $49

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Plexus is composed of 50% Shiraz, 34% Grenache, and 16% Mourvedre aged for 15 months in 17% new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up an enticing bouquet of cedar, spice box, tobacco, smoked meat and game, black cherry, and blueberry. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with lush, opulent fruit, mouth-filling flavors, and a seamless, forward style. Drink it over the next 10 years. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

KILIKANOON CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE 2005
Clare Valley, South Australia

54759 (XD) 750 mL $65

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Cabernet Reserve was aged in 100% new French oak for 26 months. Opaque purple-colored, it coasts the glass with glycerin. It delivers classic Cabernet aromas of pain grille, vanilla, acacia flower, pencil lead, creme de cassis, and blackberry. Elegantly styled, it has intense, spicy flavors, enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years, and a very long, pure finish. It should drink well through 2025. Kilikanoon's winemaker is the talented Kevin Mitchell. The house specialty is Shiraz but Mitchell does equally well with Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

KILIKANOON SUPER SIX PACK 2005
South Australia

Kilikanoon, led by the skilled hand of celebrated winemaker Kevin Mitchell, has assembled six prime examples of their world-renowned Shiraz in this outstanding collection. Here is the perfect opportunity to experience a cross-section of Australian Shiraz from one of the world's most acclaimed producers.

ATTUNGA VINEYARD 1865 SHIRAZ 2005
Clare Valley

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'Attunga 1865' is sourced from ungrafted vines planted in the Clare Valley in 1865. It spent 25 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Opaque purple/black, it reveals an ethereal bouquet of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, espresso, mocha, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a powerful, intense, yet elegant wine with a very long, seamless finish. This beautifully balanced effort will excite tasters over the next 25 years. Score - 97. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

R RESERVE SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa Valley

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'R Reserve' spent 27 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Crimson/purple, it has enticing aromas of toast, smoke, vanilla, spice box, pepper, black cherry and blackberry. Layered, opulent, and long, with well-concealed tannins, it will begin to unwind with 5-7 years of cellaring and provide pleasure through 2030. Score - 94. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

GREEN'S VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2005
Barossa Valley

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'Green's Vineyard' was sourced from old vines in the Vine Vale region of the Barossa cropped at 1.0 ton per acre and aged in 100% new French hogsheads for 27 months. It exhibits a fragrant perfume of pencil lead, tar, smoke, roasted meat, black cherry, and blackberry leading to a mouth-coating, super-rich wine with enormous depth and length. It will profit from 3-4 years in the cellar and can then be enjoyed through 2025. Score - 94. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

ORACLE SHIRAZ 2005
Clare Valley

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'Oracle' was aged in 100% French oak, 50% new. Purple-colored, it exhibits aromas of cedar, damp earth, mint, blueberry, and blackberry. Made in a focused, racy, elegant style, it has luscious flavors, excellent balance, and a long, pure finish. It has several years of aging potential but can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

M RESERVE SHIRAZ 2005
McLaren Vale

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'M Reserve' is a glass-coating opaque purple. Slightly reticent aromatically, it gives up mineral, pencil lead, and scorched earth aromas as well as notes of blueberry and blackberry. On the palate the wine is structured and slightly compact. It will need a minimum of 5-7 years to blossom although the potential is there. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

COVENANT SHIRAZ 2005
Clare Valley

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Shiraz 'Covenant' from the Clare Valley was aged for 22 months in French and American oak hogsheads, 30% new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It exhibits cooler climate hints of mint and menthol, as well as mineral, pencil lead, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Elegantly styled, with excellent depth and concentration, it will evolve for 3-4 years, and drink well through 2020. Score - 92. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

55699 (XD) 6 x 750 mL $699

TWO HANDS APHRODITE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

62521 (XD) 750 mL $125

TASTING NOTE: The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon "Aphrodite" presents a nose of toasty oak, smoke, pencil lead, black currants, and licorice. Full-bodied and layered, it is structured for extended cellaring. The tannins are present but well-concealed and there is more than ample fruit for balance. Give this big Cabernet 10-12 years in the cellar and drink it through 2035. Score - 98. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2007)

TWO HANDS THE BULL AND THE BEAR SHIRAZ/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia

9464 (XD) 750 mL $49

TASTING NOTE: Masses of luscious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit; while at the top of the alcohol comfort zone, stays within it; very clever making...Drink [until] 2024. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2007)

YANGARRA CADENZIA GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVEDRE 2005
McLaren Vale, South Australia

67140 (D) 750 mL $35

TASTING NOTE: Toasty, spicy character competes against ripe cherry fruit, bringing welcome tension to this earthy blend. The finish persists impressively. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Best after 2008. Score - 89. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2007)

FOX GORDON KING LOUIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia

59758 (XD) 750 mL $45

TASTING NOTE: Polished, round and appealing for its blackberry, raspberry and dusky spice flavors, a gentle hint of mint easing into the finish against superfine tannins. Drink now through 2014. Score - 90. (Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, Aug. 31, 2006)

HAAN WILHELMUS 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia

996157 (D) 750 mL $49

TASTING NOTE: It is no surprise the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot/Malbec should be so seamlessly welded, nor that there is synergy in the blend to give this wine the greatest fruit expression. Drink [until] 2020. Score - 95. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2007)

MAXWELL MERACUS FIFTY THREE SHIRAZ 2004
McLaren Vale, South Australia

60681 (XD) 750 mL $65

TASTING NOTE: A new offering, the 2004 Shiraz Meracus "53" comes from a parcel of Shiraz planted in 1953, and was aged completely in French oak (50% new). A connoisseur's wine that requires some patience, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color along with a bouquet of graphite, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, charcoal, and flowers. With tremendous concentration as well as depth, and a multilayered mouthfeel, impressive purity, good acidity, and plenty of tannin, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well for two decades.
Score - 93. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006)

MOONAMBEL DALWHINNIE SHIRAZ 2004
Victoria

60327 (XD) 750 mL $65

TASTING NOTE: Heady, wild, floral and musky aromas of cassis, plums, redcurrants and cranberries are handsomely supported by dusty new vanilla oak and backed by minty nuances of menthol, licorice and treacle. Sumptuous and smooth, its seamless palate unfolds layers of sour-edged dark berries and plums with mocha and vanilla oak framed by tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Tremendous depth, tightness and balance. Drink 2012-2016+. Score - 97. (Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com.au, July 1, 2006)

PRIMO ESTATE JOSEPH ANGEL GULLY SHIRAZ 2004
McLaren Vale, South Australia

68650 (XD) 750 mL $39

TASTING NOTE: Right on the style cue for this wine comes this luscious, seamless and finely integrated shiraz whose brooding, mocha-like aromas of dark plums, berries and black pepper reveal undertones of dried earth and charcuterie meats. Initially closed and introverted, it steadily opens layers and length of luscious black, briary fruit, spicy vanilla oak, all of which is framed handsomely by a drying cut of firm astringency. Drink 2016-2024+. Score - 96. (Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com.au, May 27, 2007)

STANDISH THE RELIC SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia

71795 (D) 750 mL $125

TASTING NOTE: More exotic and flamboyant than the Shiraz, but equally profound is the 2004 Shiraz/Viognier The Relic (93% and 7% respectively, cropped at .5 tons of fruit per acre, and aged 20 months in old French oak). An inky/purple-colored, powerful, full-bodied, rich red, it possesses a huge, sweet nose of blue and black fruits, flowers, and subtle oak, a blockbuster mid-section, and an amazingly long finish. More approachable than the 2003 Shiraz, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years. Score - 99. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006)

TEUSNER ALBERT SHIRAZ 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia

59600 (XD) 750 mL $49

TASTING NOTE: The 2004 Shiraz Albert was aged for 24 months in 30% new and 70% old French oak. A superb effort, it reveals a full-bodied, concentrated style with an inky/blue/purple color, loads of creme de cassis, blackberry, smoke, and earth characteristics, and a rich, pure, impressive personality. It should evolve gracefully for 10-15 years. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006)

BANNOCKBURN SHIRAZ 2003
Victoria

59618 (XD) 750 mL $59

TASTING NOTE: Fragrant, spicy black cherry fruits; beautifully silky and supple mouthfeel; lovely wine. Drink [until] 2015. Score - 96. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2005)

CLARENDON HILLS HICKINBOTHAM SYRAH 2003
McLaren Vale, South Australia

64527 (D) 750 mL $95

TASTING NOTE: Notions of melted tar, blackberries, liquid minerals, and charcoal emerge from the inky/purple-colored 2003 Syrah Hickinbotham Vineyard. Revealing a meaty richness along with great concentration, length, purity, and definition, it is a tour de force in winemaking. This amazing Syrah should age effortlessly for two decades. Drink 2005-2025. Score - 96. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2005)

SALOMON ESTATE FINNISS RIVER SHIRAZ 2003
McLaren Vale, South Australia

59790 (XD) 750 mL $44

TASTING NOTE: Good hue; medium-bodied, elegant style with a range of black spicy fruits and fine, lingering tannins; excellent finish and aftertaste. Drink [until] 2014. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, March 2006)

STANDISH THE STANDISH SHIRAZ 2003
Barossa Valley, South Australia

71787 (D) 750 mL $135

TASTING NOTE: The 2003 Shiraz (100% Shiraz from a 90-year-old Vine Vale vineyard) was cropped at .5 tons of fruit per acre, and was aged 32 months in old French oak. It is a magnificent effort boasting tremendous ripeness as well as abundant blueberry and creme de cassis notes intermixed with flowers, graphite, and crushed rocks. With amazing concentration, purity, and richness, but no heaviness (the alcohol is only 14.5%), and a finish that lasts well past a minute, it is accessible now, but should age effortlessly for two decades or more.
Score - 99. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006)

South Africa

Red Wine

KEN FORRESTER THE GYPSY GRENACHE/SYRAH 2004
WO Western Cape

38364 (XD) 750 mL $49

TASTING NOTE: Fleshy, open and inviting, with dark cocoa powder, tobacco, black currant and fig notes carried by fine-grained and supple tannins. The long, velvety finish has a lingering hint of black tea, with nice latent power in reserve. Drink now through 2009.
Score - 90. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Nov. 30, 2007)

Argentina

Red Wine

YACOCHUYA 2003
Cafayate

35964 (XD) 750 mL $65

TASTING NOTE: Dark and broad-shouldered, with plenty of bacony toast and cocoa notes, but has a solid core of fig, black currant and tar as well. Rich finish has nice loamy undertow. Malbec. Drink now through 2007. Score - 89. (James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2006)