Currently in Mclaren Vale, after passing through Adelaide Hills. Very few wineries open in the Hills - a bit disappointing. Petaluma was the pick of the crop.

Petaluma Riesling 2002 ($25)- Recent release. This is a Clare Valley wine. Easily the best I've tasted from this winery. Very pale straw colour. Lime and floral nose is reserved, as is the palate. All very tight, with piercing acidity and great intensity/length. Drink now with light seafood, mild asian dishes or by itself on a summer day. Hold in the cellar as long as you want - should peak in 15-20 years.

Petaluma Coonawarra 2000 ($53)- this is a 50/50 Cab/merlot blend. Warmer year shows through in this wine. Deep magenta. Cassis,plum and blackberry on the nose, with little of the herbaceous character you often get in this wine. The palate repeats these fruits, and the structure is tight, with the usual palate coating tannins. I'm not sure if this will age as well as most vintages, but I may be wrong. Again, has an excellent record in the cellar.

Petaluma Merlot 2000 - Not yet released - lucky to get a pre-release taste. 100% merlot. Glowing magenta. Rasberry, spice and earth on the nose. Exceptional palate - sweet fruit and very fine tannins.

Mclaren Vale is a difficult region to taste through. Many ripe, alcoholic and tannic wines to get through leaves the palate a bit jaded. Standouts have been: Coriole 2000 Shiraz ($25) - more reserved than usual Mclaren Shiraz; Chapel Hill 1998 The Vicar ($40) - Shiraz/Cabernet blend with imposing intensity without being overripe; Kangarilla 2000 Zinfandel ($30) - 16.0% alc. with the fruit to match. Wow - don't think you could match this beast with food, but it's an interesting wine to try.

I was always certain that there must have been someone in Australia (or outside of california, for that matter) making zinfandel, but is it more than an interesting curiosity there, or are there good zins that might find their way to North America one day? I once had a South American zin that had to be spat out.

[ 09-28-2002, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: bman ]

Bman,
Zin in Oz is mostly a curiosity. The Kangarilla is gaining attention, but the only truly great example is Cape Mentelle. If you see it, don't hesistate. It's a great wine. Dense, explosive berry and spice. I like it from release to about five years of age. Any longer in the cellar and it loses its varietal zing.

Cape Mentelle's Zin rocks. I've six bottles of the 2000 and have been savouring a proper opportunity to drink.

Thanks guys. We actually see the odd Cape Mentelle product in Ontario, maybe one day it will be the zin.