Tasting - "Steeple Jack Moscato"

Name: Steeple Jack Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $8

Winery review:  From Ballast Stone's Steeple Jack range - "premium wines, easy drinking, great value for money" -this Moscato is slightly spritzy and lots of fun. 
Lemonade and lychee aromas lead to a luscious palate that's alive with juicy lychee and tropical fruit flavors with slight spritz. This is an extremely refreshing drop that's the perfect lunchtime drop in the warmer months. (wine selectors)

My review: This drink was really good and very, very sweet. I think Moscato is very sweet in general. I tasted a lot of fruity flavors and it was really easy to drink. I enjoyed this wine and I could definitely drink this with a veggie meal or a good salad.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Shoftfire Shiraz"

Name: Shotfire Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz

Region: Barossa

Country: South Australia

Year: 2009

Price: $23

Winery review: Strong crimson-purple; the rich, complex dark fruits of the bouquet expand on the medium- to full-bodied palate into a savoury, spicy array of plum, blackberry and dark chocolate flavours. Open-fermented and spends 14 months in oak; has a marvellous show record over the past 10 years. (12-Feb-2011) [James Halliday]

My review: Just like the other Shiraz's I've had by Thorn Clarke, this wine was really tasty. I tasted alot of berry type flavors after tasting the wine and there was a slight spicy kick to it as well. This wine was more expensive than the others that I've had which is a downfall, but the wine was really good. I could see myself eating this with a prime rib along with mash potatoes. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Milton Park Shiraz"

Name: Milton Park Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: 12

Winery review: "The 2010 Shiraz Milton Park (aged 12 months in American oak) exhibits hints of coconut, blackberry and vanilla followed by a velvety texture and oodles of dark black currant and blackberry fruit as well as hints of pepper and smoke."

87 Points

The Wine Advocate

My review: The wine itself was a really dark red color. After smelling the wine, I picked up on plums and some other fruity glimpses. I thought the wine had a sweet taste and I tasted blackberries as well. I thought the wine was very good and I definitely could drink this with a good steak.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "The Lackey Shiraz"

Name:The Lackey Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Country: USA
Year: 2007
Price: $15

Winery review: Stylish bouquet for its humble price featuring aromas of cedar, bacon, plum, and blueberry. This leads to a medium bodied wine with good intensity and length. It is a best buy. (Jay Miller 89 points)

My review: The wine itself was mid dark red color. Upon smelling the wine, I sensed a multiple fruits with a glimpse of oak. I thought the wine tasted good and after tasting the wine, I could only think of plums. For the price I would definitely drink this beverage again.


I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Liberty Creek Merlot"

Name: Liberty Creek Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $8

Winery review: Merlot is one of America's fastest growing red wines. Not as full-bodied as Cabernet, not quite as fruity as Chianti, our Merlot delivers rich flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry, with a smooth finish that is especially pleasing.

Our Merlot's bold flavors and smooth style make it a great match for meat, pasta, or a hearty vegetarian dish. This wine is a great alternative to Burgundy! With its characteristic softness, Liberty Creek Merlot can be admirably used to contrast dishes with big, bold flavors like pasta arrabiata, or to complement more subtly flavored recipes like eggplant parmesan.

My review: I enjoyed this beverage a lot and appreciated the flavoring. I tasted a lot of cherry and this red was real easy to gulp down. Although more expensive than the other bottles I had, this wine was pretty smooth and I could definitely drink this with a nice steak and 2 baked potatoes.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Fish Eye Pinot Grigio"

Name: Fish Eye Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Noir (13%) and Pinot Grigio (87%)
Region: Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $5

Winery review: I first enjoyed the Fish Eye Pinot Grigio in 2009 with my fellow wine bloggers at our annual conference (and wrote about that experience here). It was a humbling moment for many of us, who were a bit sniffy about the wine based on the cute label, its availability in large-format bottles and boxes, and because it was Pinot Grigio. There is a lot (and I do mean a lot) of terrible, cheap Pinot Grigio out there. So much of it, in fact, that I've stopped ordering it in restaurants.

So it is with great pleasure that I report that the 2011 Fish Eye Pinot Grigio still has a suggested retail price of $7 (though you can find it in the market for prices between $5 and $10), it is still delicious, it is still widely available throughout the country, and it is still excellent QPR. Expect zesty, pure lemon and lime aromas and to have those scents echo through the flavors. You might detect a nice peachy note as you sip, which takes off some of the bitterness that can be associated with Pinot Grigio.

This is a versatile, food-friendly wine that is light enough to pair with vegetables and salads at a weekend lunch, will be a great companion to asparagus and lemon pasta as you work your way into your spring recipes, and will be welcome at summer barbeques so if you see some on the shelf give it a try. - (February 23, 2012 by Dr. Debs)

My review: I enjoyed this wine and thought it had some really good flavor to it. It had a general tropical fruit taste and a hint of banana. Being a big fan of bananas, I really liked this extra touch. I would definitely drink this again and would want to try this with Asian style food.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - "Rex-Goliath Chardonnay"

Name: Rex-Goliath Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay and aged in french oak
Region: Madera, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $7

Winery review: Rex Goliath Chardonnay is a true sun-kissed California Chardonnay with bold aromas of apple and pear, combined with the classic spices of Grandma’s apple pie. Tropical fruit, pineapple and melon flavors combine with well-integrated layers of crème brûlée and a smattering of vanilla.   

I’ve added a splash of aromatic white varietals to provide layers of delicate floral notes coupled with bright citrus character. Round fruit and vibrant acidity are harmoniously balanced with French oak. The oak used for our wines is a proprietary blend of French oak, with varying degrees of toasting. This gives the Rex Goliath oak profile a distinct flavor, like no other wine on the planet!

To me, this is the ultimate food wine…it goes with everything from ahi tuna tartare, to Asian chicken salad, to good ol’ mac and cheese! - (January 31, 2012 by Anita Chef)

My review: Although bias because I love white wine, I thought this bottle was pretty good. It has an interesting sweet kick to it, but I definitely could pick up on a few fruits while I was tasting the wine. I would drink this whine again and hopefully get to drink it with a good pasta.

I tasted this on its own with no food.