Wasn’t expecting much but was surprised. Stored this well past its “drink by” date so that I’d have a birthday year bottle for my daughter’s HS graduation. Was expecting vinegar, ended up with a drinkable wine. Tannins were very mild, fruit was present but not much in the nose. Was quite drinkable, and I’d say past peak, but the peak for this wine was probably in 2003 so this was all a bonus.
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As per other recent notes - now just about 10 yrs in bottle, and doing pretty good. Overall quality is one of a deep dark blackberry based wine with healthy amount of oak in there. Smooth, and the oak is a little prominent, but ok. Other qualities of the pencil lead that was mentioned. Was 20$ CAN - decent value.
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Minneapolis Wine Club Aussie Shiraz (My House): Still drinking well and served blind. Oak, spice, floral and soy sauce. Medium finish and more earth dominated now but for $7 wine a nice surprise.
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Aussie Shiraz Wines at John's (John's): Bonus wine #1, served blind. This wine was definitely a surprise for everyone. The group thought Auusie, but no no, Washington state it is. Dark purple color, no bricking at all at 8 years on a base bottling. The nose was dynamic with earth, pepper, spices , black fruit and bit of oak present. The palate follows through on the nose, a bit lighter in body than some of the other big wines, but not much. The finish is medium. I was not sure how this would show, and I must say that the group really thought it stood well with the entire group of much more expensive wines. This will be worth a look in the future. Don't know if it drank this nice when it was young or not, but it sure did tonight. Solid 90+pts.
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WS misses again. Very dark purple in glass with loads of sediment. Nose smothered in alcohol but does give up dark blueberry and blackberry fruit with pepper and licorice. Medium to full bodied with nice density of "new world' fruit and well balanced acidity. Tannins are a touch green and firm, but add nice structure. Blackberry, pepper, licorice on the palate with a somewhat short and thin finish. The wine just seems to kind of fall apart at the midpalate. Although, a nice effort at this price point. I think this wine is probably better served with food due to the nice acidity it offers. B-.
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Pleasing hint of cinnamon and berries on the nose. Fruit forward, with very mild tannins and a relatively short finish. Not terrible, but definitely not great.
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Terrific value. Actually opened two days ago, and it's just getting better. Dark ruby colored, garnet almost, very dark. Rich concentrated nose of blackberry, tobacco, black raspberries and cedar. Rich, full palate with tons of fruit, a pot pourri of dark fruits. Very easy drinking, no tannin to speak of, lush mouthfeel, and even a good finish. Bravo!
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I'm not sure if this is flawed or just below average. The nose started off awkward and quickly became unpleasurable. It smells of a sweaty wet dog and was sour and tart on the palate, with a lingering finish of dried plum. I've come to expect better from Chateau Ste. Michelle.
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Saw this at a local retailer for $8 and decided to give it a try. Fairly simple and fruit-forward, but went well with braised lamb shank. A very nice 'drinking' wine.
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Seemed a little tired. Although the color was good, the bouquet was weak. Some red fruits were apparent but nothing stood out. It had little length. It was okay with food. Would not purchase again.
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Lush, ripe blueberries and cedar oak on the nose with a hint of clove. Lots of fruit with some nice tannins to back it up. This is much better than I expected. It has a lot of the fruit of an Aussie Shiraz, but more structure, balance, and class.
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Peppery and earthy. This bottle, unlike the first one I tried, was off balanced, could of used more dark fruit flavors. Still an easy wine to drink. But needs to be enjoyed with food.
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Kinda boring at first, but when it opened up it had a spicy (as in spiced-tea) kind of flavor that was interesting. Don't want to run out and buy a case, though.
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Deep ruby in color and a decent nose; high tannin & acidity buried the fruit. It opened up after about an hour but not enough...this wine is either on the later end of its drinking life or this specific bottle was on the verge of being flawed. I will say a piece of dark chocolate paired with this wine covered the tannin & brought out the fruit. I will not cellar or purchase this wine again.
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7/3/2021 - Eroling wrote: 89 Points
Wasn’t expecting much but was surprised. Stored this well past its “drink by” date so that I’d have a birthday year bottle for my daughter’s HS graduation. Was expecting vinegar, ended up with a drinkable wine. Tannins were very mild, fruit was present but not much in the nose. Was quite drinkable, and I’d say past peak, but the peak for this wine was probably in 2003 so this was all a bonus.
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10/24/2011 - YWG Wine Guy Likes this wine: 89 Points
As per other recent notes - now just about 10 yrs in bottle, and doing pretty good. Overall quality is one of a deep dark blackberry based wine with healthy amount of oak in there. Smooth, and the oak is a little prominent, but ok. Other qualities of the pencil lead that was mentioned. Was 20$ CAN - decent value.
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8/16/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club Aussie Shiraz (My House): Still drinking well and served blind. Oak, spice, floral and soy sauce. Medium finish and more earth dominated now but for $7 wine a nice surprise.
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8/15/2010 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Aussie Shiraz Wines at John's (John's): Bonus wine #1, served blind. This wine was definitely a surprise for everyone. The group thought Auusie, but no no, Washington state it is. Dark purple color, no bricking at all at 8 years on a base bottling. The nose was dynamic with earth, pepper, spices , black fruit and bit of oak present. The palate follows through on the nose, a bit lighter in body than some of the other big wines, but not much. The finish is medium. I was not sure how this would show, and I must say that the group really thought it stood well with the entire group of much more expensive wines. This will be worth a look in the future. Don't know if it drank this nice when it was young or not, but it sure did tonight. Solid 90+pts.
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1/15/2010 - Sbaskin wrote: 87 Points
Perhaps past it's peak, however still smooth and enjoyable
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7/15/2009 - Beanpro wrote: 88 Points
I think this wine is much better with food than as a stand alone drinker.
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3/27/2009 - paristrout wrote: 85 Points
nice
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1/28/2009 - Rocky_30 wrote:
This wine tasted really good even after the Ideal drinking year :)
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12/27/2008 - Combee1 wrote: 84 Points
No formal note. Just remember this bottle didn't live up to WS' billing.
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9/18/2008 - joshwoodward wrote: 91 Points
Pencil lead nose. Rich, bracing tannins, medium acidity. Good body. Red fruit. Not as much pencil lead in taste.
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7/31/2008 - Combee1 wrote: 85 Points
WS misses again. Very dark purple in glass with loads of sediment. Nose smothered in alcohol but does give up dark blueberry and blackberry fruit with pepper and licorice. Medium to full bodied with nice density of "new world' fruit and well balanced acidity. Tannins are a touch green and firm, but add nice structure. Blackberry, pepper, licorice on the palate with a somewhat short and thin finish. The wine just seems to kind of fall apart at the midpalate. Although, a nice effort at this price point. I think this wine is probably better served with food due to the nice acidity it offers. B-.
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5/29/2008 - bpraditkul wrote: 85 Points
Pleasing hint of cinnamon and berries on the nose. Fruit forward, with very mild tannins and a relatively short finish. Not terrible, but definitely not great.
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3/15/2008 - mdstenner wrote: 89 Points
Terrific value. Actually opened two days ago, and it's just getting better. Dark ruby colored, garnet almost, very dark. Rich concentrated nose of blackberry, tobacco, black raspberries and cedar. Rich, full palate with tons of fruit, a pot pourri of dark fruits. Very easy drinking, no tannin to speak of, lush mouthfeel, and even a good finish. Bravo!
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2/7/2008 - cellarbrator wrote: 72 Points
I'm not sure if this is flawed or just below average. The nose started off awkward and quickly became unpleasurable. It smells of a sweaty wet dog and was sour and tart on the palate, with a lingering finish of dried plum. I've come to expect better from Chateau Ste. Michelle.
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1/30/2008 - winenewb068 wrote: 85 Points
Saw this at a local retailer for $8 and decided to give it a try. Fairly simple and fruit-forward, but went well with braised lamb shank. A very nice 'drinking' wine.
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12/12/2007 - WG198 wrote: 84 Points
Seemed a little tired. Although the color was good, the bouquet was weak. Some red fruits were apparent but nothing stood out. It had little length. It was okay with food. Would not purchase again.
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12/6/2007 - pickhardt wrote: 87 Points
Nice nose, moderate complexity and finish. Fruit is OK, not special. Good value for $12, not an exceptional value.
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8/12/2007 - paristrout wrote: 82 Points
no ready to drink.
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6/12/2007 - nietzschephilosopher wrote: 89 Points
Lush, ripe blueberries and cedar oak on the nose with a hint of clove. Lots of fruit with some nice tannins to back it up. This is much better than I expected. It has a lot of the fruit of an Aussie Shiraz, but more structure, balance, and class.
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4/24/2007 - Kale wrote: 88 Points
Solid wine. Very fruit forward. I really enjoy the Washington State Syrahs. Nice value.
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3/3/2007 - skiffman wrote: 86 Points
Good fruit forward Syrah, very mild tannins and not much finish. Good value priced every day wine.
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2/26/2007 - erikkanderson wrote: 84 Points
Peppery and earthy. This bottle, unlike the first one I tried, was off balanced, could of used more dark fruit flavors. Still an easy wine to drink. But needs to be enjoyed with food.
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2/23/2007 - markwriter wrote: 86 Points
Kinda boring at first, but when it opened up it had a spicy (as in spiced-tea) kind of flavor that was interesting. Don't want to run out and buy a case, though.
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2/4/2007 - jchristopher wrote: 83 Points
Blueberry notes, very drinkable for the price
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2/1/2007 - erikkanderson wrote: 86 Points
Very drinkable. Good fruit, a little earthness to it.
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1/27/2007 - Wino Joe wrote:
Deep ruby in color and a decent nose; high tannin & acidity buried the fruit. It opened up after about an hour but not enough...this wine is either on the later end of its drinking life or this specific bottle was on the verge of being flawed. I will say a piece of dark chocolate paired with this wine covered the tannin & brought out the fruit. I will not cellar or purchase this wine again.
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12/8/2006 - Magnolian wrote: 84 Points
Not bad, decent varietal character, notes of plums and blueberry. One-dimensional and a bit jammy for my taste.
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10/18/2006 - QuiteLucid wrote: 85 Points
Surprisingly good for the price. Very nice nose and body. Ripe plum flavors and a nice bit of spice.
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8/13/2006 - batesa wrote: 88 Points
i was surprised by this wine. nice complexity and finish. pleasant nose.
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