Life is too short to drink bad wine

This is an unusual wine from the McClaren Vale in Australia. Dead Arm is a vine disease caused by the fungus Eutypa Lata that randomly affects vineyards allover the world. Often affected vines are replaced or pruned. One half of the an arm of the vine slowly becomes reduced to dead wood. The grapes the other arm, while low yielding, display amazing intensity. Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and used French and old American oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration. The Dead Arm Shiraz 2012 displays classic McLaren Vale aromas of plum, blackberry, liquorice and spice. There is also a strong sense of the old vin...

This is a bargain in the Norwegian wine shops as it is actually cheaper here than in Australia! The Pinot grapes come from the best sites in Adelaide Hills. Hand picked grapes, basket pressed whole bunches with stems. The wine is unfiltered and unfined. Beautiful nose of ripe cherries, crispy redcurrants and some dark fruit and spicy notes. Young juicy taste with a lovely acidity and a well balanced finish dominated by red and dark fruit. The wine will cellar well but it is so delicious now that any delayed gratification is almost academic. The velvet fog Pinot Noir Heirloom vineyards 2015 Adelaide Hills 40 australian $ or 199 NOK

This is a delightful Chardonnay from Margaret River in Australia. Hand picked grapes and whole bunch pressed. Malolactic fermentation and battonage, just like they do in Burgundy. The result is a wine with notes of ripe peach, grapefruit, fig and nuts. Wonderful complexity with a lovely balance and long full bodied finish. Creamy texture. A great wine that can compete with white Burgundy both in quality and price. Will keep for 5-6 years. Evoi Chardonnay Reserve 2015 Margaret River Australia 55 Australian $ or 399 NOK

It's been a long time time since I have concentrated my efforts on Australian wines. I used to try an awful lot while living in the UK some 20 years ago, but since then it has mostly been in connection with Sommelier training. Margaret River which is in the western part of Australia is an emerging wine district with high quality wines. Often good value for money. It avoids the really hot temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. The wine is blended from the best batches grown on the Leston vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub region. Some of the grapes parcels had prolonged skin contact to extract maximum colour and tannin. The wine then spent 18 months in french oak barriques before being bottled. 40% new oak. This is a dense and big wine. Dark fruit, vanilla and plum on the nose with some sweet mint and cinnamon as well. Big mouthful with soft delicate dark fruit and ripe integrated tannins. A well made wine indeed. 46 Aussie dollars.

This is a delightful and silky Shiraz from the Yarra Valley in Australia. The colour is deep and dark red with a purple rim. Lovely smell of dark fruit, herbs and some leather and smoke. A bit atypical Australian Shiraz which is why it is a bit fascinating to sample. The taste is very juicy and long with a surprisingly cool dark fruit and very soft tannins. A very decent Shiraz indeed! Try with game, lamb, entrecôte or cheese. 240kr or 20$.

What a super delicious Bordeaux blend from Barossa valley in Australia.  The name Henschke on a label is a mark of quality and they have gone on to become arguable Australia’s most prestigious producer.  The 2006 Euphonium, is a product of an exceptional vintage. Aromas of sweet spice, blueberry, cassis and eucalyptus leap from the glass, and on the palate there is layer upon layer of rich blackberry fruit and spice. The tannins are velvety and smooth and the finish long and hugely rewarding. Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium 2006 Barossa Valley, High price

The panel continued their parade march and after some deliberations, it was concluded that was a new world Cabernet Sauvignon…. Deep dark red colour and a compact and attractive smell of dark berries. Yet another smooth taste, but this time bigger and more solid with some soft tannins. The aftertaste was somewhat "warm" indicating high alcohol and supporting the warm climate theory. Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 by Oatley Margaret River, Australia Score 18.10 Ca 160 NOK (very good quality price ratio)

The Dead Arm Shiraz is one of my favourite Australian Shiraz. The increased popularity has also increased the price but it is still good value for money. In addition it can survive years for storage which will only smoothen the wine further. Served this one with filet of reindeer with a redwine-sauce and he combination was just superb thanks to the tender meat and the beautiful fruit of the wine. Black fruit, plum and some spice on the nose. Dark cherries, plum, licorice and spice on the palate. Big, solid and smooth taste with well integrated tannins. Dead Arm Shiraz 2008 McClaren Vale At least one side of the vine is growing grapes....

This is a lovely and seductive Pinot Noir from Australia. Normally the best Pinot's come from New Zealand but this one shows that also Australia can produce good Pinot Noir. Packed with sweet raspberries and a very smooth lingering taste. Great stuff and can easily be consumed without any food.... St.Huberts Pinot Noir 2010, Yarra Valley, Australia Ca 15£ or 230 NOK.

Extremely dark red colour with red rim (no brown signals at all). Sweet smell of dark cherries, liquerice and brambles (no hint of pepper). Big solid taste with good fruit and a slightly small hint of bitterness and dry cherrystones. A truly big wine. Panel dithering where to end up, but is surprised by this being a Shiraz and nearly 20 years old... Wynns Michael Shiraz 1993, Coonawarra Score 17.50 and 25£ (back then)  more punchy 5 years ago but still very good

Found this in the taxfree the other day. Packed with fruit and vanilla. This is a full bodied Shiraz that is crying out for steaks and BBQ. Warm and fruity stuff from the Barossa Valley. Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz, Barossa Valley, low price range but full bodied wine.

This is one of my favourite Aussie wines. Wonderful complex big and dense with flavours that could easily be mistaken for being a Bordeaux in a hot year. The best bit is actually the price which compared to Bordeaux is reasonable. The funny thing is that it cost around 40€ in Norway while in UK it would be around 40GBP! Imagine Norway cheaper than UK....! The colour is deep dark dark red. The nose is wonderfully complex with dark berries, chocolate, black pepper and vanilla. The taste is big but smooth, long and lively, fruity with good acidity. The tannins are soft and elegant. Everything is just perfect! It can be easily be drunk now but would also easily keep for 10-15 more years. The 1993 for example is still going strong... Wynns Micheal Shiraz 2003, Coonawarra, great solid stuff from down under (Medium price 40€) Wynns Coonawarra Estate

Has this dessert wine on Xmas eve with cloudberries and Xmas pudding. Fantastic deep golden colour and a wonderful enormous smell of nectarine, peach, honey, citrus and  Xmas pudding (or was that something else?)! The wine is made of Botrytis Semillion grapes grown in the Riverina district and the taste was wonderful sweet and complex with a long delicate great balanced aftertaste. Noble One 1996, de Bortoli, Riverina Australia, competes with Sauternes! 25€ Riverina Tourism De Bortoli Wines: Home

It is hunting season and wild game is widely available. The shiraz (Australia) grape or Syrah as it is called in Rhone (France) often provide a good match for such meat as well as steak. Peter Lehmann has a wide selection of wines and this Shiraz is reasonable as well as very good. Deep dark red colour. Big bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, mint and vanilla (12 months in american and french oak). Hint of black peppper. It provides a good solid mouthful with a slight "sweet" and warm aftertaste. Very good value for money and easy to like and drink, but be careful 14,5% alcohol! This wine is part of Peter Lehmann art series and comes with a handy screw cork. Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz ( Low price 124) always good quality price ratio Goes with most meat , pizza and aged cheddar. http://www.peterlehmannwines.com.au/experience/The-Wines/art-series/shiraz