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Pastimes : Wine You Can Enjoy @ Under $20

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To: SG who wrote (1032)12/30/2009 11:40:27 PM
From: X Y Zebra  Read Replies (1) of 1277
 
ok... try this one....

it surprised me a little.... (since i was expecting more fruit in it)...

so here it is...

Blackbilly,
Shiraz
McLaren Vale
2006

price: $19.99 (wheu... just made the thread nazi-rule -lol *just kidding)

[Blackbilly is Australian for Yucca Tree)

i find this wine earthy, pleasant, fruit evident (blackberry) but not 'jammy' with tannins present but not overwhelming, making easy to drink now. surprisingly to me... i can almost compare it to a well rounded bordeaux cabernet (not quite) you can taste the strength of the shiraz, but there is some balance to it. i am wondering if i let it air a bit will get better... (i have had hints like this on other wines... only to disappoint and go flat as time passes)... i am writing this as i am drinking it -hic ! -g

i believe the balance on the tannins is given by... er.. ahem... the wood in it... (have no idea how they vinified this wine so there is some research to do) i mean... i do not know if they threw wood chips in it or not... or they kept it for a couple of years in barrel... but however they made it.. it is very nice.

i am very pleasantly surprised about this wine...

i went hunting for the McWilliams and could not find it... so instead i bought 5 bottles of other reds... this is probably the best of the 5 i bought....

hmmm... now i am beginning to pick up some nice acidity making this wine a little more complex and interesting ... i believe soon it is going to start talking to me... (so far only about a glass and a half....)

wow.. i am becoming a fan of this wine now... :)

pairing it with food ?

well... obviously steak... ossobuco (yummy, veal or lamb *but whoever prepares the lamb one, has to be a superb chef because the nasty flavor of lamb may appear ruining the meal AND the wine... so careful with the lamb).

i personally know a chef that cooks the lamb ossobuco in an incredible way... no nasty lamb taste...

i have a personal preference to pair food with Australian shiraz... (or Mexican shiraz yes, such wine does exist... and it is... WOW! --> and if you are wondering... there are Mexican nebbiolos and barberas all of them from the Valle de Guadalupe in northern Baja (about one hour south of Ensenada, BC )

lightly spiced Mexican food. and when i say lightly... i mean it .... the degree of heat is very important.... but for example... mole poblano (chicken mole) would be ideal with this wine.... i would even try it with chile relleno (but the chile cannot be too hot)

you can also try this with pork loin *no honey or sweet sauces*

veal medallions... with blueberry sauce (yes)
i would even try it with some smoked salmon...

oh my dog.... i just finished the first glass (the first half glass was just to get the flavors going...)

and in the last swig.... a hint of peach (or apricot).... no kidding ! i just did it again.... and that i think it comes from the acidity i was picking up (and yes, a little hidden sweetness as aftertaste) i was picking up...

one more thing....

this is what i use to air the wine a little quicker, (without using a decanter...

vinturi.com

a wine vinturi (the real spelling ought to be VENTURI but... that is another story)

this is not to say that a decanter should not be used... the decanter (in my opinion) has three functions:

1.- air the wine
2.- use it as a filter system to free the wine from the grape residues (not in all wines)
3.- to see the beauty of the wine color as it is poured into the decanter, (sometimes the use of a candle will help)

anyway... i hope you like this wine.

Blackbilly from the Australian McLaren Vale

p.s. i have been toying with the idea of paying a visit to Australia and i think McLaren Vale's wines are making the decision easier.... :)
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