Vintages April 30 release - First Families of Australian Wines combined with Southern Italy

The big feature in this release focuses on The First Families of Australian wines. My Pick of the release. 2008 Jim Barry 'The Lodge Hill' Shiraz - $23.95 Always very good, olive tapenade, meat, nori, black cherries, good mouth feel. Nice with anything grilled or on its own.
 AUSTRALIA FEATURE 
Any of the following wines will be very good too:
2008 Howard Park Leston Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.95 :  Big cab from Western Australia. Expect  subtlety smokiness and tobacco notes -  more old world in style than your typical Oz cabs.
2006 Tahbilk Nagambie Lakes Shiraz - $19.95 : A four point swing between scores in the WS and RP, but worst case, its a really good wine at the price. Best case? A screaming bargain!
2008 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon - $17.95 – Quality for the price.
2008 Jim Barry 'The Cover Drive' Cabernet Sauvignon - $23.95 : Always really good. Past bottles have needed some time to settle in before being opened. Not long mind you but a few months in a dark quiet place rounded them out nicely.
2008 Tyrrell's Heathcote Rufus Stone Shiraz - $19.95 : Annually a well priced ready to drink and easy drinking big wine.
2008 Yalumba Patchwork  Shiraz - $21.95 : Halliday gives it 93, take it as a 90.
 SOUTHERN ITALY - SPOTLIGHT
2008 Firriato Etna Rosso - $16.95 : A Sicilian red that is not Nero D’Avola. Well priced and something a little different from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna.
2008 Terredora Aglianico - $14.95 : Aglianico can be terrific – big, juicy,  mouth filling licorice-y scents and flavours.
2006 Leone de Castris Riserva Salice Salentino - $16.95 : 50^th Anniversary of this should be super.
 The rest

ROCCA DI CASTAGNOLI POGGIO A’FRATI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006 – A terrific vintage, right in its drinking window $29.95

2008 Clos de los Siete - $21.95 : Always well scored, this rerelease of a Bordeaux blend from Argentina is easing toward the end of its first decade. As the vines and fruit mature the wine becomes less of a fruit bomb and more of sophisticated potable to accompany more than just grilled meats. Perhaps a bit more tannic than earlier vintages, it’ll be interesting to compare this one to the Norton Privada in the Mid May release. The Privada merited a recent special note by the way.
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2007 $27.95. – Great producer and a great region. If you liked the Chocolate Block, this’ll be more of the same. Perhaps more Bordeaux in style
1995 Don Jacopo Gran Reserva – Yes, 1995! And Yes, $27.95.
2006 Casa Gualda Plus Ultra - $13.95 : A Big powerful wine for such a little price.

Heads up for the May 14th release! It has some terrific wines.