2006

Shiraz (60%)

Cabernet (40%)

Gumdale

South Eastern Australia

$6.99

I was entertaining neighbors with a smoked beef shoulder and was looking for a red wine that would go with well with a slow cooked, smoked, heavily spiced beef dish.  This wine fit the bill.  Considering it was only $6.99 this was a good wine. 

Typical of many Australian Shiraz’, it was fruity, with strong flavors of raspberry and cherry, but also with a hint of grape jelly.  But what made it go so well with the smoky flavor of the meat was the touch of spice on the end.  Sometimes, like with this wine, you really can’t taste the spice in and of itself, but its there and goes so well with a spiced dish.  And with the touch of cayenne in the rub, this wine did just that; brought out the spice just the way you like it.  We entertained 7 people and it was considered a good match by all who tasted it.

For that reason and because of the price, this wine gets a 4, a good buy at this price.