Here comes this week’s Wine of the Week. And it’s from Australia – The 2008 Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet. Now here’s a fun wine for barbecues and picnicking. As a blend, the Shiraz provides a little tannin “kick” which flows right into the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
So what does that all mean? Well how about tasting plums, dark cherries and blueberries with a finish of dark chocolate. Ya know, it could almost be a meal in itself. But with beef on the grill it’s a standout for a quiet twosome or a large celebration on the fourth.

Penfolds is the maker of Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet. The grapes are grown on the northern edge of the Barossa Valley, a somewhat more arid area than the rest of the valley. The thirty year old vines provide fruit with plenty of flavor, especially for a wine selling for twelve dollars.

 

Pop the Cork™!

 

Selected: July 2, 2010

Winemaker’s Notes and Comments: The 2008 vintage was warm to hot, with a prolonged heatwave in mid-March. However, grapes picked before the elevated temperatures were delivered to the winery in excellent condition, resulting in good varietal definition and balanced flavors. Color: Crimson red. Nose: Rich Christmas cake and summer pudding aromas are obvious on the nose with more subtle cinnamon / spicy oak notes adding complexity on the nose. Palate: Deeper, darker fruits are more obvious on the palate with plums, blueberry and dark cherries. Tannins and fruit are well balanced with Shiraz providing a fleshy mouthfeel and Cabernet delivering length and structure, with varietal, chalky tannins. Dark chocolate notes linger on the finish in typical Koonunga Hill style.

Critical acclaim: "Inky violet color. Cassis, cherry and tobacco on the nose. Showing its cabernet element right now, offering zesty red- and blackcurrant flavors and a bitter cherry pit quality. Tannins frame the sweet fruit on the finish, which is attractively sweet, focused and persistent." - International Wine Cellar

Past Recommendations, Picks, and Wines of the Week

Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently. A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list. Well, don't stop buying it because of that. In fact, you may want to EMAIL us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts . . . first, prices are approximate. They'll vary. Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly! Now, all that said, here is a summary of links to our suggestions. Find one (or more) and pop the cork!

Read the fine print...

Wine consumption can have positive physical benefits or cause possible physical harm . . . the medical community is divided in some areas. If you have any doubt, check with your doctor before consuming wine or any other alcoholic drink.

Our information is well researched. Recommendations are based on our opinions at the time of publication. At the same time, recommendations change. Also, there may be significant variance in taste depending on storage, shipping, and other factors.

The Wine Experience is not liable or responsible for any consequences arising from the use of the information obtained from winexperience.com, wineexp.com or The Wine Experience radio show.

The Wine Experience is intended for adults (over 21 years old). Drink responsibly and don't drink and drive!