“Look to your health; and, if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy,” Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler.
In a previous column, I enthused about Australia’s Jacob’s Creek winery, maintaining that they provide terrific quality and outstanding value. Today, I decided to revisit those palate-pleasing friends.
As a reminder, since Jacob Creek’s first release in 1976, its wines have gleaned a fistful of medals and are exported to more than 60 countries. Located in the Barossa Valley for over 150 years, it was Australia’s first commercial winery. To me, it remains a tremendous ongoing price/value proposition.
The wines I selected for tasting were purchased at both Sendik’s and Piggly Wiggly in Mequon. Both retailers work hard to provide good service, selection, and value and both price Jacob’s Creek at $6.99. Here are my tasting notes:
1) Chardonnay, 2010, $6.99. Barely off-white with medium body. The nose had notes of honey and butterscotch with medium depth and nice richness. In the mouth, it strutted nice medium fruit with good intensity and nice acid. Clean finish. B+
2) Merlot, 2009, $6.99. Rich, clear ruby color with heavy body. Deep rich nose with intense notes of dark cherry, blueberry, and touches of cocoa. In the mouth it displayed pleasant fruit and blueberry. Medium-long long finish. A-
3) Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009, $6.99. Pleasingly purple hue with heavy body. Deep, rich, complex nose with hints of plumb and cherry. Pleasantly rich in mouth with nicely astringent finish. A-
4) Shiraz, 2009, $6.99. Deep red with heavy, cloying body. Intensely rich, deep nose with complex, practically pushy and forward emphasis on chocolate, berries, and cherries. Rich and complex in mouth, typical of a nice Shiraz, with long, acidic finish. A
Today’s winner is the masculine Shiraz, a treat for most occasions.
