Some Australia icons on sale from the Corkscrew, Dublin. I’ve tried the Vasse Felix and the Giacondas at tastings, and they really show what Australia is capable of. If you’ve been abstaining over lent, then they’re definitely worth a splurge.

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Red, Margaret River,  Western Australia 2005

Heytesbury is a barrel selection of the very finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot and is matured in French oak barriques for 17 months. It is made without compromise, and production is strictly limited.

The 2005 Heytesbury is a beautiful, deep dark plum colour. The aroma is fragrant, with lifted blackcurrant and fresh subtle peppermint leaf with blueberries, violets, coconut, cumin seeds and thyme which meld into the background with rich oak perfumes. The palate is bright with fresh acidity and a slight creaminess to the mid-palate. The tannins are firm and the wine finishes dry with pretty flavours of violets, dark berries and a hint of mandarin. The linear nature of the palate coupled with a firm tannin structure will ensure continued development and the long term cellaring potential of our flagship wine.

Was €59.95 per bottle,  now €44.95 or €40 per bottle as part of a case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide

2000 McWilliams ‘Lovedale’ Semillon, Hunter Valley

Mount Pleasant is the McWilliams family’s beachhead in the Hunter Valley, and home to a stable of classic, traditional wines made from  historic vineyards. Its efforts with semillon under the single vineyard Elizabeth and Lovedale labels are the stuff of legend.

The warm, dry harvest allowed sound, ripe fruit of the highest quality and positioned the 2000 vintage as one of the best vintages the region has ever seen.

Rich and mouthfilling, this semillon combines lime zest flavours, with emerging developed characters of honey and cut hay. These intense flavours are supported by a fine backbone of minerally acid, forming a long, persistent and refreshing finish. Drink now-2012

Was €36.95 per bottle, now €24.95 or €21.60 per bottle in a case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide.

1998 Jim Barry, McCrae Wood, Clare Valley, Shiraz

This is a big, full-bodied Shiraz, showing deep claret red colour. Primary aromas are evident on the nose – menthol, ripe satsuma, plums and mint – while secondary aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon, coffee and chocolate have also developed. The palate shows layers of complexity, with primary flavours of mulberry and blackberry, supported by hints of cashews and mocha. The palate shows excellent depth and length, with ripe, dense, structural tannins and a fresh finish.

Was €39.95 per bottle, now €30.00 or €27.50 per case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide

Giaconda Wines – Victoria South Australia

‘One of Victoria’s most brilliant wineries, Giaconda is fashioning hand-crafted, singular wines that are not only gorgeous to smell and taste, but innovative in both their blends and stylistic orientations. They combine the elegance and complexity of Europe with the sensationally ripe fruit of Australia’ – Robert Parker.

Three Giaconda’s below:

2005 Giaconda Nantua Vineyard Chardonnay

A blend of 93% Chardonnay and 7% Roussanne from the Nantua and Warner vineyards, again totally barrel fermented with about 30% new oak. It is also very impressive and by comparison to the Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, excellent value. Originally the blend was 85% Chardonnay 15% Roussanne. As the Chardonnay vines have aged, we have reduced the amount of Roussanne without changing the style: – Characteristic Giaconda Chardonnay nose, oatmeal, hazelnuts, matchstick and sulphides. Fresh and clean on the palate with rich Chardonnay fruit and the influence of Roussanne. Excellent finish, long, creamy texture with oak, minerals and acidity all adding to the complexity and satisfaction. Bottled with screwcap closures. 93 Points, Robert Parker

Was €59.95 per bottle, now €46.95 or or €40 per case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide

2004 Giaconda Nantua Vineyard Pinot Noir

Colour is quite dense this year. Wild and exotic nose of dark fruits, sweet spice and undergrowth. Very rich silky palate yet with great backbone, strong tannin with balancing acidity. In my opinion this is the best Pinot we have made yet, very Burgundian in all aspects. Rick Kinzbrunner – Winemaker

Was €89.95 per bottle, now €69.95 or €60 per bottle in a case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide

2004 Warner Vineyard Shiraz

The 2004 vintage was an exceptional year for reds; dry, cool weather produced wines that delivered power, finesse and complexity at much lower alcohol levels. In short, ripeness without sweetness, power without the heavy cloying hand of overripe fruit and alcohol. Warner Vineyard Shiraz is, in my opinion, the outstanding red wine of the vintage. Superior in every way to those trail blazing shirazes from 2001 and 2002. This wine breaks new ground, brooding; aromas of black cherry, szechuan pepper, spices, smoked meats, briary forest floor notes and graphite erupt from the glass. Aromatically stunning. Powerful and savoury; tightly coiled with fine savoury tannins and acidity working in with the graphite characters to produce a tensile wine. An explosion of flavours at the end; black cherry, pepper, smoked meats and briar notes concluding with a lone dry savoury finish. 93 Points Robert Parker

Was €89.95 per bottle, now €69.95 or €65 per bottle in a case of 6 delivered free of charge nationwide.

More details…

Ask for Paul, Colm or Chris (& tell them sourgrapes.ie sent you)