Category Archives: Australia

Marsanne, Tahbilk, 1927 Vines, Victoria, Australia, 2005, 10.5% abv, C$40

If we had opened this for a blind tasting, I would have failed miserably. Tasted double blind, we agreed we would have nailed this as Riesling with its intense lemon and petrol.  Or possibly as an evolving Hunter Valley Sémillon with … Continue reading

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Evans & Tate Metricup Road, Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia, 2011, 13.5% abv.

Visitors to the 2015 Vancouver International Wine Festival will recognize this delicious Aussie Chardonnay from Evans & Tate that punches above its weight in terms of value for money. A shade of medium lemon with tears, the nose shows grapefruit pith, Meyer lemon, … Continue reading

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Chardonnay, Freycinet Vineyard, Tasmania, 2012, 13% abv

Straight from the wettest climate in Australia, the Tasmanian down under, this marvelous example of an elegantly finished Chardonnay came to us via Jodie whose mum packed it in her suitcase on a recent trip to BC. Tasmania boasts the … Continue reading

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Pinot Noir, Philip Shaw No. 8, Koomooloo Vineyard, Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2012, 12.5% abv, AUS $40

As Jodie put it, “Who the heck drinks Pinot from Orange!?” We do, and it was delicious. But just where is Orange?  It’s out of the way, even for wine geeks.  Cool and at a high altitude (the 123 acres … Continue reading

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Langmeil, SMG, Three Gardens, Barossa, Australia, 2011, 14.5% abv, C$30

Any excuse – yes, give me one and I’ll open up a GSM.  In this case, I can blame having to open that lovely blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre on my 17 year old’s birthday dinner. I noticed on … Continue reading

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Tahbilk, Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia, 2011, 11.5% abv, C$19

It’s Saturday here on Canada’s west coast and I’m combining a few of my favourite things – Tahbilk’s Marsanne and Canadian U20 Women’s Rugby team playing the US All Americans. Full disclosure, the scrum half is my daughter. It’s half … Continue reading

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Tahbilk, Museum Release, Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia, 2007, 12% abv, C$21

This is a fabulous find that will not break your bank but tastes great.  It’s made from Marsanne grapes that are sometimes called ‘Ermitage’ because they originated in France’s Rhone Valley and were used in white Hermitage wines.  These days, Marsanne … Continue reading

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Brokenwood, Sémillon , Hunter Valley, Australia, 2012, 10.5% abv, C$30

I’ll bet you know what White Bordeaux is – but have you ever heard of the Sémillon grape? White Bordeaux is always a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon added to build out the body.  Sauvignon Blanc has a following … Continue reading

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Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Australia, 14.5% abv, 2010, C$41

Margaret River, part of the Western Australia zone, is one of that country’s most isolated wine regions. Located furthest west on the continent, it is about 240 km south of Perth. It’s a stunningly beautiful land and combines great surfing, … Continue reading

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Torbreck, Woodcutter’s Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia, 2011, 14.5% abv

Torbreck is located in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, ‘the‘ Aussie wine state producing about 50% of the country’s crush (down from 75% in the 1940-50s). It dominates production and output although it’s an incredibly small portion of land. Most of … Continue reading

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