The Garden Route

Two Hands

Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

Poured into a decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2019 “Lily’s Garden” pours a deep garnet with a bit of purple and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with black bramble fruit, purple flowers, a touch of the animal and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is elevated; calling it high. The finish is medium+. I called Syrah from France, from the Northern Rhône, Croze-Hermitage from a recent warmer vintage like 2019. Dangit…I got the variety right but I should have considered Australia with the elevated alcohol. This is a fairly classic Aussie Shiraz that certainly gives off a French vibe but the fruit and alcohol give it away. Drink now through 2034. — 17 days ago

Pooneet, Tom and 16 others liked this

Hewitson

Old Garden Vineyard Mourvedre 2013

Powerful wine that went well with my Georgian lamb. Too strong to drink alone. But perfect with steak or lamb. Powerful nose with strong brooding flavors. — a year ago

Tom liked this

K Vintners

Rock Garden Syrah 2014

Soft fruit, some bacon, smoked meat, & herbs. Not very complex. Lovely BBQ wine. Unlike many WA syrah, not an alcoholic fruit bomb. However, terrible QPR for the level of vinous complexity on offer. — 2 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Vanessa, Ira and 9 others liked this

Two Hands

Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014

Ming L
9.3

When last tasted about 3 years ago, the palate left much to be desired. This is finally coming together.
The nose shows beautifully with blackberries, prune, black tea leaf, cured meat, black pepper, and cocoa powder. Medium to full, the palate is lush, silky, and powerful. Fresh round acidity and fine grained tannins. Long candied herbal finish.
This will continued to evolve and provide drinking pleasure for the next 10-15 years.
— 2 months ago

Ira, Tom and 1 other liked this

Spice Route

Chakalaka Red Blend 2016

Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Pretty nose with cedar, vanilla, wild flowers, chocolates, coffee and black pepper.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, earth, herbs, black pepper, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a tasty red blend from South Africa. Soft and smooth with nice complexity. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

Needed 4 hours to open up properly, so be patient.

A blend of 36% Mourvedre, 22% Shiraz, 13% Carignan, 11% Grenache, 9% tannant and 9% Petite Sirah.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.
— 10 months ago

Tom, Philip and 5 others liked this

Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden

20 Applegate Valley Syrah 2012

Andrew Holod
9.3

My wife commented that this had too much color and heft, given its age.
Deep, vibrant purple. Intense plummy fruit bouyed w warm toasted aromas that conjure vanilla, cumin, toasted oak. Dense, fleshy, long, with resolved tannins that still offer plenty of structure and elegant acidity. Among the best domestic, 'natural' wines I've had.
— 3 years ago

Eric, Bob and 2 others liked this

Williams Selyem

Luella's Garden Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Blackberry, licorice , raspberry jam, touch of tobacco. — 4 months ago

Veronika liked this

Henschke

Johann's Garden Barossa Valley Red Blend 2022

Another excellent red in the Henschke range. Brief notes: A GMS blend from the Barossa Valley. Rich and flavoursome (14.5% ABV). Red and blue fruits - medium plus bodied - plush. Stephen Henschke often said on the weekend what great vintages 2022 and 2023 were. Added to the fabulous 2021, that’s 3 great vintages in a row. — 7 months ago

Shay, Daniel and 18 others liked this

Spice Route

Swartland Pinotage 2018

Oak, chocolate and vanilla. And some fruity sweetness. — 2 years ago

Two Hands

Sophie's Garden Padthaway Shiraz 2004

Blackberries, coffee, big wine @16% — 3 years ago

Ericsson, David and 5 others liked this