Yering Station Shiraz Viognier 2004, Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2004, Vasse Felix Adams Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Yering Station Shiraz Viognier 2004, Yerra Valley, 14.5%, €18The marriage of warm, peppery Shiraz and classy, cool Viognier oozes earthy mushroomy intrigue on the nose and ripe and clean peppery fruit in the mouth. From: Cheers, Coach House, Ballinteer, D16; O'Briens (branches); O'Donovan's (branches); World Wide Wines, Waterford; McCabes, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Daly's, Boyle, Co Roscommon; Holland's, Bray, Co Wicklow; McHugh's, Malahide Road, D3, and Kilbarrack, D5; Gibney's, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2004, South Australia, 14.5%, €27.99This is at the low end of Penfolds' high-end offering but is still wonderfully smooth and accomplished, packed with minty chocolate, vivid blackcurrant and soft, chewy tannins.From Cheers, Delgany, Co Wicklow; O'Briens, Donnybrook, D4; Redmond's, Ranelagh, D6; Greenacres, Wexford; the Gables, Foxrock, Co Dublin; Harvest, Galway; McHugh's, Raheny, D5; the Vintry, Rathgar, D6.
Vasse Felix Adams Road Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2004, Margaret River, 12.5%, €16.99This is a classic Western Australia combination, the smooth reserve of the Semillon contrasting with the vibrant Sauvignon Blanc. Has enticing gooseberry, vanilla and light summer fruit on the nose, is citrusy and silky in the mouth and has a neat kick on the finish. Cheers, Delgany, Co Wicklow; On the Grapevine, Booterstown, Co Dublin; Corkscrew, Chatham Street, D2; Londis, Maynooth, Co Kildare; Brechin Watchorn, Ranelagh and Terenure, D6.