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Saturday, March 10, 2-4pm

Grateful Palete Australian Reds

When it comes to winemaking, the Aussies aren't a subtle lot, so stop by this Saturday and try some BIG REDS FROM DOWN UNDER. We'll be featuring a few selections from importer Dan Philips' company, The Grateful Palate.  Yup, that's right, these are the same folks responsible for the ever popular "Bacon of the Month Club".  Besides the bacon they have a great selection of full-bodied wines at affordable prices.  Don Weston will be on hand to show off these wines:

2005 R Winery, Bitch, Grenache $10

Chris Ringland, who makes this wine, says Grenache is a bitch to grow and a bitch to make. It's a wine that can easily be vapid, or as profound as wine gets. This Bitch is from Barossa. Mainly bush vine, but also some trellised vineyards. It sees no oak. The Bitch is just pure, explosive, unadulterated, hedonistic, uncompromising, juicy Grenache with soft, round flavors of cherry and strawberry. Surprisingly, full bodied.

2004 Marquis Phillips, Roogle Red $10

Roogle Red is a well-structured, balanced wine, displaying opulent, velvety tannins. Shiraz provides plush ripeness while Cabernet gives a firm tannin backbone, delivering a ton of flavor and complexity for its modest price. Sweet aroma and flavor of blackberry, cherry and other berries with some nice chocolate and a hint of espresso.

2004 Majella, The Musician $16

Rather than sell off part of their fruit to other wineries, Majella kept more of their wonderful estate Coonawara fruit and introduced the Musician (70% Cabernet and 30% Shiraz). The wine is very low in oak and very high in fruit, with just a smidge of vanilla oak showing faintly through the mild palate. Otherwise brambly blackcurrant demands all the attention. Juicy, raw, smooth textured, cherried fruit also plays a part. As a quaffer, this is damn good fruit.

2005 3 Rings Shiraz, $19

"The sleight of hand that mesmerizes the eye is not unlike the skill that tantalizes the palate." South Australia's Chris Ringland (winemaker), David Hickinbotham (grape grower) and Californian Dan Philips (importer) have created a hard act to follow. 100 percent Barossa from several old-vine vineyards blended with a touch of Cabernet, and aged 1 year in new and used American Oak. This circus is superbly intense, deep dark and delicious.

2003 Hazyblur Adelaide Plains Shiraz $31

As the vineyard is right next door to the winemaker Ross Trimboli's home in the Adelaide Plains of Barossa, the grapes for Hazyblur get considerable "tender-loving-care". The wine is 100% Shiraz from 40-year old vines with low yields. Hazyblur displays spicy, earthy, ground pepper, crème de cassis, raspberry and plum aromas as well as a dense, full-bodied, opulent personality.

Jonesy Tawny Port $10

A sensational value! Made by Trevor Jones in partnership with Dan Philips, Jonesy is a blend averaging 46 years in age. Its light to medium ruby hue is accompanied by an extraordinary bouquet of sweet candied fruit intermixed with notions of maple syrup, earth, and hazelnuts. This gorgeous tawny delivers plenty of pleasure. Robert Parker gave the Jonesy 93 points.