Attributes:

Starve Dog Lane

Adelaide Hills, Australia/New Zealand

Syrah / Shiraz

750 ML

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 89

lively

elegant

1999: WineSpectator Rating: 89

crisp

rich

berry, black pepper, cherry, vanilla

1999: WineSpectator Rating: 89

fleshy

Food Matches:

One of Australia’s most famous “cool climate” regions, known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

Originally grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley (where it is a noble variety) this grape has spread to Australia, California, Washington, Italy and Spain. In the Rhone region this grape produces deeply colored wines with full body and firm tannin, however in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz, the wines are lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors for these wines vary as much as their geographical breadth suggests: berries, smoked meat, bell peppers, even tar.

Australian name for the grape known as Syrah in France.

Attributes:

Château Fonplégade

Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France

Bordeaux - Red

750 ML

2004: WineAndSpirits Rating: 88

fresh

full-bodied

blueberry

ripe

Food Matches:

Romans planted vineyards in Saint-Emilion as early as the second century. It is located right bank of the Gironde and named after the monk Emilion. The "Saint Emilion Grand Cru" label on a wine explains that the wine is from any one of the many vineyards on the list of vineyards that qualify as Saint Emilion Grand Cru.

Attributes:

Wolf Blass

South Australia, Australia/New Zealand

Cabernet Sauvignon

750 ML

2005: WineSpectator Rating: 85

crisp

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 84

currant, pepper

2003: Tanzer Rating: 87

bright

supple

blackberry, boysenberry, candied, dark chocolate, mint, oak, raspberry, spice

sweet

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 84

cedar, cherry, root beer

round

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 86

light

blueberry, currant

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 88

elegant

caramel, chocolate

open

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 86

crisp, tart

berry, plum

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

bright

straightforward

meat, plum, raspberry

Food Matches:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.