Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa On Tastelive

Hello Australia! A trip to the Barossa Valley on Tastelive this evening brought 3 excellent wines flavor packed and aroma sound. Winemaker and Host Stuart Bourne provided the setting and knowledge about the wine region including climate, soils and location. Chateau Tanunda is Australia's oldest and largest chateau and the birthplace of barossa wine. Vines were planted in 1845 with the winery created in 1848. Ranked #4 for 2011 outstanding value wines by Wine Spectator. Wine Advocate recognizes them as one of Australia's top 20 producers.

Up first this evening the Grand Barossa Riesling 2010. Loads of citrus fill your nose at the start. Lemon lime, orange, melon, ripe pineapple so crisp. Wonderful refreshing wine. Grapefruit, melon, juicy lime, stone fruit and minerality. Beautiful acidity. My pairing which I thought would be perfect is a pasta dish with fresh shrimp drizzled with fresh lemon juice. I was instructed to fedex the winemaker a plate lol.

Wine 2 the 2010 Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon. Dried thyme with green pepper, cocoa powder, currant, blackberry, plum and fresh mint. Really liked the combination of herbal notes with the ripe dark fruit. In the mouth rich blackberry and raspberry, dark plum with chocolate notes and oak. Middle of the taste there was some earthy spice which gave the wine some character but also showed how young the wine and aging is needed. Can't wait to taste the other bottle a year from now to compare.

The final wine of the evening was the 2010 Grand Barossa Shiraz and my favorite. All 3 wines were superb but this happened to be the one that really wow'd me. Excellent ripe plum and blackberry with pepper and vanilla. When the wine warmed hints of earthiness, spice and chocolate. The flavor was so soft and silky. Plum, blackberry, cherry and blueberry with vanilla notes. Might just be the best Shiraz I have tasted......ever and my comment to the group "Drop Dead Delicious" was spot on.

Bravo to Chateau Tanunda for some excellent bottles this evening. While all bottles were under $20 tonight I thought for sure these tasted more in the range of $25-$30. Cailyn and Joel another great tasting and thanks for introducing me to the world of Australia.

Cheers
Dan