Australia is best known for its Shiraz. Big bold Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. These are all from South Australia.

We have talked about Western Australia (Margaret River) known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Yarra Valley in Victoria is a cooler region known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Tasmania is off the south Coast of Australia and is an island. This is a cooler region and produces sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Riesling is normally dry and crisp and best known for coming from the Clare Valley and the Eden Valley.

1. Barossa Valley: Famous for bold Shiraz.
2. Coonawarra: Renowned for rich Cabernet Sauvignon.
3. Margaret River: A key region for elegant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc blends.
4. Clare Valley: Known for world-class, dry Riesling.
5. McLaren Vale: Produces excellent Grenache, Shiraz, and GSM blends.
6. Yarra Valley: A cooler climate region well known for quality Pinot Noir.

Tonight, we are tasting:

1. 2020 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet. Penfolds Wines South Australia. The winery is one of the best known in Australia and was established in 1844. Deep purple color, sweet dark dense berries, chocolate. Medium acidity, full-bodied, 14.5% alcohol. Flavors of vanilla bean creaminess and warm spice. Dried rosemary and sage might give appearance of earthiness. I purchased at Costco for $8. I mostly saw this wine running around $11, but I did see an online clearance sale (at Fine Wine and Good Spirits) for $4.33 (it said $11.26 off). The wine comes from the South Australia, but is a multi-regional blend. 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. 2020 Max’s Shiraz Cabernet Penfolds. I purchased this wine at WineStyles for $17.00. Wine Enthusiast says aromas of blackberry jam, cherry cordial, pencil shavings and sweet vanilla bean-and-dark-chocolate oak influence. Rich, balanced acidity with tannins in the background. Could benefit from a few more years of aging. The wine scored a 92 from Wine Enthusiast. 70% Shiraz and 30% cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% alcohol.
3. 2021 Bin 28 Shiraz Penfolds. Purchased at Wall to Wall Wine for $30. Wine Enthusiast says dense, ripe and powerful with quite a bit of oak. Chocolate with dark fruit and pepper spice on the nose. Flavor is rich and luscious, muscular tannins support rather than overpowers. Could age for a few more years. The wine was scored a 93 from the Wine Enthusiast. The wine is aged in American Oak for 12 months. 14.5% alcohol.

We both liked #2 Max's Shiraz/Cabernet the best, and we thought this was the best buy of the night. I also liked #3 Bin 28 Shiraz, a very powerful fruity-oaky wine. I felt it lost a little balance because of the amount of oak, Denise didn't care for it's finish. Neither of us really cared for #1 Koonunga Hill, Shiraz/Cabernet.

Next week we are exploring white wines of Australia.