Tasting Notes from Wine.com

Red Wines	Grenache	McLaren Vale	Australia

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Date Printed: 6/19/2013

d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2006

(search item no. 95739)

green wine

Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
PRICE ON 6/19/2013: $29.99

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2009 Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
2009 International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
2007 International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
2007 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
2007 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2005 The Wine Advocate rating: 92 points
2005 Wine & Spirits rating: 91 points
2004 Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
2004 Wine Spectator rating: 91 points
2003 Australian Wine Companion rating: 91 points
2003 International Wine Cellar rating: 90 points
2002 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points

Winemaker's Notes:

On initial pouring, the colours of this wine are dark and concentrated and suggest a very young wine. Served blind, the fragrance and voluptuous, red fruit aromas lead you to think that it's more likely a brooding Kiwi pinot than McLaren Vale Grenache. However, as the aromas evolve, notes of roasted meats, liquorice, spices, white pepper & sweet paprika emerge. Combined with concentrated maraschino cherries & blueberry flavours and it soon becomes obvious that this is real Grenache, at its best.

The palate is rich and soft dominated by very pure, deep, exotic, spiced, red fruit and Turkish delight notes. This is followed by savoury edges of herbs, bitter chocolate and earthy/tarry leather flavours that are long, juicy and balanced with fine lacy acidity and ripe slippery tannins.

The richness of fruit, overall softness and very long finish is impressive and, for those who haven't really understood the complexities of Grenache, this wine could be quite captivating. Those Grenache converts will find this a real pleasure. Possibly the best we have crafted to date, we expect this will be a fascinating wine to taste and drink over the next 10 to 15 years ahead.

My Notes:

Additional wines from d'Arenberg:

2008 Sticky Chardonnay (375ML half-bottle) (search item no. 108614)
2008 The Dead Arm Shiraz (search item no. 105925)
2009 Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier (search item no. 111292)
2009 Stump Jump Cabernet Sauvignon (search item no. 119898)
2009 The Custodian Grenache (search item no. 113798)
2009 The Derelict Vineyard Grenache (search item no. 115075)
2010 High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon (search item no. 122463)
2010 Stump Jump Red (search item no. 99636)
2010 Stump Jump Shiraz (search item no. 110615)

About d'Arenberg:

One of the undisputed kings of Australian Shiraz and Rhone varietals, d'Arenberg has managed to turn individuality into an art form by doing a whole lot of little things differently. The original vineyards were established by Joseph Osborn in 1912 in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia. A century on, the estate has grown to 345 acres, and the mantle now rests with fourth-generation winemaker, Chester Osborn. By maintaining a focus on traditional winemaking and nurturing their old-vine material, the Osborn clan has successfully established themselves as one of the country's leading producers of concentrated wines that are full of character.

Red Wines	Syrah/Shiraz	Barossa Valley	Australia

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Date Printed: 6/19/2013

Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 2006

(search item no. 99276)

screw cap wine

Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
PRICE ON 6/19/2013: $22.99

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2010 The Wine Advocate rating: 92 points
2010 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
2009 Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
2009 Wine Spectator rating: 91 points
2009 International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
2008 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2008 International Wine Cellar rating: 90 points
2008 Wine & Spirits rating: 90 points
2007 Australian Wine Companion rating: 93 points
2007 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2007 Wine Enthusiast rating: 90 points
2005 Australian Wine Companion rating: 94 points
2005 Wine Enthusiast rating: 90 points
2004 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points
2004 Australian Wine Companion rating: 90 points
2003 International Wine Cellar rating: 90 points
2002 The Wine News rating: 90 points
2001 Wine & Spirits rating: 92 points
2000 Wine Spectator rating: 89 points
2000 Wine & Spirits rating: 88 points
1999 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
1998 Wine & Spirits rating: 92 points
1998 Wine Spectator rating: 88 points
1997 Wine Spectator rating: 88 points
1996 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points

Winemaker's Notes:

Deep, dense crimson with a black core. A glaceed, ethereal layer hovering above - Asian sauces (not spices) - dark sweet soy, Hoisin plum sauce - over a diverse pool of traditional South Australian Shiraz plummy fruits. Immediately measured and poised, arguably with no aromatic requirement to 'wait for the oak to settle!' Spiced, dark licorice & chocolate and liberally fruited with appealing cranberry acidity on finish. Generous and multi-layered and enriched by ripe, solid tannins brazenly reaching out from the back palate. A dry-grown, low-yielded Shiraz assertiveness - with balance, vivacity.

My Notes:

Additional wines from Penfolds Wines:

2010 Koonunga Hill Shiraz (search item no. 118050)
2010 Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet (search item no. 114071)
2010 Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon (search item no. 117179)

About Penfolds Wines:

Founded by a young, English doctor in 1844, Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines that have changed the landscape of Australian winemaking. Over the past century, Penfolds has indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Since then, a series of standout wines, both white and red, have been released under the Penfolds masthead. Under the direction of master winemaker, Peter Gago, Penfolds is now found in every major wine market in the country. Extraordinary wines such as Block 42 and Bin 60A have also been released during his tenure. Penfolds wines are now widely celebrated for their diversity and quality across many price-points. The strength of Penfolds is that the wine comes first. Penfolds' range of table wines is utterly Australian, evoking a generosity of spirit and the beauty of the Australian landscape.

Red Wines	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa Valley	California

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Date Printed: 6/19/2013

Frog's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

(search item no. 103159)

green wine

has video

Wine & Spirits rating: 94 points
Wine Enthusiast rating: 92 points
PRICE ON 6/19/2013: $39.99

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2008 Wine & Spirits rating: 92 points
2008 Wine Enthusiast rating: 91 points
2004 Wine Enthusiast rating: 92 points
2001 Wine Spectator rating: 90 points
2000 Wine & Spirits rating: 91 points
1999 Wine & Spirits rating: 91 points
1999 Wine Spectator rating: 89 points
1984 Wine Spectator rating: 94 points

Winemaker's Notes:

Elegant and refined, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of rich black fruit laced with hints of dried herbs. The wine's deep connection to the soil is reflected in flavors of cassis, plum and black berries which are complemented by the essence of truffle, cedar and tobacco. Soft tannins and well integrated oak are balanced with a fine acidity to create a finish that will linger well after the last course has been cleared.

My Notes:

Additional wines from Frog's Leap:

2009 Zinfandel (search item no. 112862)
2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (search item no. 121128)
2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay (search item no. 120701)
2011 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (search item no. 116503)

About Frog's Leap:

Frog's Leap is an iconic California winery dedicated to organic farming, sustainable living and quality wines. Situated in the Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley, Frog’s Leap produces wine under the leadership of John Williams, a former dairy farmer from New York who created the winery in 1981.

John Williams grew up in Western New York and originally attended Cornell University to extend his studies as a dairyman. A fortuitous work-study program at Taylor Wine Company and a few bottles of wine later, John entered the Enology and Viticulture Masters Program at UC Davis. Following Davis, he returned to the Finger Lakes as the start-up winemaker at Glenora Wine Cellars. Taking inspiration from his first Napa Valley winemaking post in the cellars of Stag's Leap, John began making wine commercially in 1981 and named the new operation "Frog's Leap."

Frog's Leap presents a relaxed approach to enjoying wine. An easy hospitality and warm sense of humor is juxtaposed with a more serious sensibility when making wine. Frog's Leap produces some of Napa Valley's finest wines and, undoubtedly, has one of the wine world's best mottos: "Time's Fun When You're Having Flies."

The wines produced range from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. We have quite the line up to offer so we hope you’ll try one of these delicious wines that harmoniously combine quality, sustainability and value.

First certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) in 1988 Frog's Leap has been a leader in the industry for over two decades. The winery relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm. Organic farming excludes the use of manufactured fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators and genetically modified organisms. Organic farming involves mechanical weed control (via cultivating or hoeing) rather than herbicidal weed control.