Barossa Valley

Saturday 14 May: Once again, due to limited time, I'm obliged to see the Barossa Valley as a day tour rather than cycling around as I would have wished, next time! So, here we go again.
First is the iconic Wolf Bass vineyard's range of chardonnay, then their most famous 2008 Barossa shiraz, a Coonawara cabernet sauvignon, a deep velvety 2006 cabernet sauvignon/shiraz/malbek blend and finally their 2007 Barossa shiraz with a spicy finish, nice. Next is Maggy Beer (famous Australian cook) farm shop then onto Barossa Valley Estate for a similar range of wines from this pretty vineyard.
After lunch my camera batteries die before we reach Barossa Langmeil Winery where I'm particularly impressed with their creamy 2008 valley floor shiraz and 2008 freedom shiraz. 2008 really was a good year. Lastly we reach the impressively restored Chateau Tanunda: a 2010 Eden Valley reisling, a pinot grigio, a garnacha rose, a sweetish moscato, a 2008 shiraz primitivo - particularly lovely when served with infused wine chocolate. This is getting good. Next is a nice bottled 2009 shiraz which becomes soft and mellow when decanted followed by a sparkling shiraz which would be great with bacon and eggs then, just when I think it can't get any better, out comes the pineapple marmalade tones of their 2009 botrytis semillon. Days don't get much better than this.

A few Barossa Valley photos.