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Kangarilla Road McLaren Vale 2001 Shiraz

November 16, 2005 By Leave a Comment

Plenty of complexity, a touch of class and high quality define the Kangarilla Road Shiraz which is also, in a word, “dark.” While I enjoyed a couple of glasses unaccompanied by food I can imagine this one would go well with a peppercorn filet or other moderately spicy dish. There is a hint of dark fruit (plum and dark berries) which becomes more noticeable as I work my way down through the glass, but early on I caught the distinct flavor of earthiness reminiscent of the mild-Mediterranean like climate this wine was grown in. And while Kangarilla describes their oak usage as “an integrated approach … that does not overpower the palette” I find the oak to be very present, not overpowering but noticeable. The 2001 is slighlt more acidic and spicy than what I would have expected from an Australian. Not the most notable wine in my collection but worth having, very drinkable and a very good buy.

Ownership: Kevin & Helen O’?Brien
Winemaker: Kevin O’?Brien
Appellation: McLaren Vale
Winery Name: Kangarilla Road
Vintage: 2001
Wine Maker: Kevin O’Brien
Grape: Syrah
Country: Australia
Timing: Now or by the end of 2006.
Drinkable Score: 8/10
Price: $15 – $20 in Store

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2002 Nugan Family Shiraz (Third Generation)

October 14, 2005 By Leave a Comment

Born in New South Wales, Australia, a semi-arid region of the Land Down Under, these grapes are heavy on pepper and spice, deep fruity flavor and earthy tones. This was a great bottle of wine, highly drinkable alone and a KILLER value in the under $15 a bottle range. While I haven’t learned much about Nugan wines here is what I could find about this one (it is notable that this Aussie wine is not fermented in stainless steel as many of them are).

Grapes picked: March 2002
Vintage conditions: Warm days, cool nights; Moderate rainfall
Fermentation time & temp: 8 days between 22-25°C
Method: The Shiraz grapes were crushed, yeasted and pumped over in traditional style so as not to extract bitter tannins
Oak Treatment: American and French Oak treatment
Post blending treatment: Coldstabilizedd, filtered and bottled
Bottled In: August 2003
Drink now or cellar for up to 2-3 years

Owner: Nugan Family
Winemaker: Daren Owens
Appellation: Nugan Family
Vintage: 2002
Grape: 95% Shiraz; 5% Durif
Drink now or by End of 2006.
Drinkable Score: 8.0/10

Winemaker’s notes: Machine harvested. Premium parcels of fruit were crushed/destemed and fermented in vinimatics and statics vessels with auto irrigators. Primary ferment was completed in 6-8 days, followed by bagpressing onto American oak tank staves. Once seeded for malolactic fermentation a portion of Shiraz was drained off into barrels for maturation. Post blending, the wine was cold stabilized, filtered and despatched for bottling.

Price: Under $15

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DJCC 4th Annual Wine Tasting

March 7, 2005 By Leave a Comment

On Saturday March 5th, 2005, the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce hosted their 4th Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser benefiting the Texas Commission for the Blind. As an organization dedicated largely to philanthropic endeavors, the DJCC was pleased to see attendance rise from 150 last year to 250 for this years’ Wine Tasting Fundraiser. The event was held at the American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas which proved to be an ideal setting for schmoozing, consuming, mingling, entertaining and fundraising. As per the theme of the event (Around the World in 80 Wines), tables were set up throughout the gallery each representing a region of the world with featured wines from that region, including Africa, Spain, North and South America, Australia, France and others. In attendance were many of Dallas’ finest young professionals, up and coming business and civic leaders, art and wine aficionados and a few vagrants such as myself to mix things up a bit. Throughout the evening resident artists were displaying their talents while creating paintings live to be later auctioned off.

The silent auction also featured works from local photographers, artwork, and donations for services and dining donated by Dallas area establishments.
It would be inappropriate not to recognize the 2005 DJCC President Matt Kobler and his Wine Tasting Committee for coordinating such a fun and successful evening. The only possible complaint someone might have is that drinking so much wine makes it hard to remember which ones you enjoyed the next day, but then I guess that is really not a bad problem to have!
Several thousand dollars were raised this year and will not only benefit the TCB but will also help to sponsor the upcoming DJCC Easter Egg Hunt for the Blind. If you are in the Dallas area I would strongly encourage you to come out to Flagpole Hill (White Rock Lake, Buckner and NW Highway) on Saturday March 19th between 8 (yes AM) and 12 to experience the real pleasure of watching children who are visually impaired enjoy the Easter tradition of hunting for eggs just as all their sighted friends do (it is also your only chance to see Bruce in a bunny suit!).
Whether or not you make it out to the Easter Egg Hunt, the 2006 Wine Tasting event is sure to be even bigger and better than 2005 so mark your calendars for March, all the cool kids will be there.

A little disclaimer: I am on the DJCC Board of Directors for 2005 as the Vice President of Operations. If you would like to learn more about the DJCC, what we do and how to get involved visit www.djcc.us.

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