Rodney Strong - 2006 Knotty Vines Zin

This Wine is a switch from my normal big, bold angry red. It taste like summer, with the appearance of a garnet sunshine. It is comfortable with a salad loaded with fresh basil, radish, Swiss chard, pepper and light dressing. It also matched well with a peppery steak.

Nose...When this was first opened, it was black cherry and that was it. It opened up to reveal an almost tropical botanical garden, with hints of raspberry and blackberry and a bit of cedar. Plenty of spice with cocoa lingering about.

Legs...Long and power full, with a grip that is hard to release, this is very enjoyable with a price under $20.00.

When you not in the mood for an angry red...you know something a little less feisty, you can enjoy this wine without waking up in the morning puzzled by the events of the past evening. Enjoy for the next 2 or 3 years.

Penley Estates - Coonawarra, AU -

July 1st, 2009.

Summer is here...or at least I thought. We had a high temperature of 64(f) in Milwaukee, the normal high is about 80(f). It was cloudy, rainy, and it was a day I really wanted to skip work, stay home and watch something mindless on the tube.

I did not have that luxury. Another day at work. Another day doing battle with drivers from the shallow end of the gene pool creating traffic issues. Another day of co-workers who share the same space in that same pool....you know the the types..dont know Christmas from Bourke Street.

I did have something to look forward to on this day, FREE, yes FREE wine at what is becoming my favorite purveyor of wine. This is none other than the Wine Cellar of Wisconsin. The owners, Joel & Gail are exceptional people. Do yourself a favor and make this a place to visit! Great selection and great prices.
I arrived at 5:15, and there was a fair amount of people waiting in line at the tasting area, and people milling about the store.

OK, before I go any further, this is not a wine tasting at some snob-a-torium like you have seen on TV or in movies, just people who like wine, or are learning to like wine.

I was greeted by Kym Tolley, his wife and a representative from the importer, Old Bridge Cellars. All three of them were very friendly, enthusiastic and shared that ever present "Ozzy" sense of humor. We were never referred to as a "seppo", or as a "dill".

The Chardonnay was my first taste and it was very good, not over sweet like white wine usually is. I can't comment too much on it because I really was more interested in getting to the full bodied red.

The Hyland was my next selection, and it was exactly what is needed after the day I had. Rich and supple, not over the top, just satisfying. The vintage was a 2005, and here are some official tasting notes from the Penley web site. This wine would come home with me!!
I found the wine to be a rich purple color, pronounced nose of berries, and a little oak. It had a warming effect and I enjoyed it.

Next on the list was the Condor, a Shiraz - Cabernet meritage. Again, this is exactly what I needed. Strong yet balanced, great nose and beautiful inky purple color. It felt hedonistic in a way, like eating chocolate cake for brekkie....

On to a full Cab, The Phoenix. This wine added to the previous two reds I had tried. It was excellent to my novice palate, but then again, I drink what I like.

Kym kept us entertained while discussing wine, Austrailia, and reflections on life. Engaged for 16 yrs, and married for the last 18 months....there must be a story here, but i missed it.
His wife (sorry, I can't for the life of me remember her name) is a delightfull person , she is the artist behind the labels. Who knew an attorney could have creative abilities. Just kidding. She is an entertining person to talk with.

The last wine on the list was the Reserve.

From the Penley web site:

"This classic Australian red wine captures and enhances the distinctive characters of Coonawarra. These characters are highlighted by rich berry tones with a great length and depth of flavour. The complex characters of this wine show intensity and layered depth. To achieve this style it is important to have

harmony between fruit intensity, oak tannin, grape tannin and acid. The objective for the Penley Reserve cabernet sauvignon style is harmony and balance.
Inherent in the Penley style is soft balance but this should not detract from ageing potential. The wine is made with bottle age in mind. Intense tannin, acid and flavour components are elements required. It is a strong held belief that these components need to be in balance, not just in place, for a wine to mature in bottle."

I enjoyed this as well. It was a great way to end the tasting, with a true full bodied red. Complex with healthy overtones of ripe dark cherry, oak, and a hint of violet.

I had a few bottles signed, and took a picture of Kym signing the bottles for my wine cellar wall. Yes, it is a bit juvenile, but for me to show friends the bottle and the picture of the wine maker signing the bottle will be worth it.

Until next time, don't be a whacka whacka and keep a look out for the white pointers .