The first of hopefully many more tastings featuring over 100 fine wines exclusively from the ‘New Word’.

Overall impressed by some great examples of fresh and refined wines coming out of Australia, skipped the New Zealand wines as I am such a big fan already (Craggy Range in particular  not considered for being too good!) and unfortunately didn’t have time for the South African.  Highlights included:

Most extraordinary wine:

The Laird (Shiraz) 2008, Torbreck, Barossa Valley, Australia.  Made from vines over 100 years old, pre-phylloxera at extremely low yields. This wine was dark and inky with an incredibly persistent nose of rich Xmas cake. In the mouth a texture and complexity reminiscent of a Pedro Ximenez solero but not so sweet but a bit like a dessert. Long intense finish.  Amazing with a price to match!

Most seductive wine:

Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino 09. A blend of two vineyards, characteristic malbec plumbs and berries and a bit of toast & coffee on the nose, then wow! A delicious blend of fruit, coffee, chocolate and creaminess in the mouth, luscious and so easy.

Best value:

Torn between Chapoutier’s Tournon Shays Flat Shiraz 11 from Victoria, Australia where the nights are cool giving lovely fresh clean fruit, very good and Au Bon Climat, Wild Boy Chardonnay 10, made in a non-interventionist way again really fresh, zesty citric notes, intense and age worthy.

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