Gemtree, Tadpole Shiraz '06

Susie and Bren got engaged about 6 years ago. We all waited patiently for a good aul’ Deveney knees up.

They eloped to New York 6 months ago and tied the knot in City Hall. We all needed a new word for disappointed.

Clare and I had not only let the occasion go unmarked with a gift but also had promised a celebratory meal that we had not delivered on. It had become so embarrassing that whenever we met up with them we were avoiding the topic of food in any context.

Last weekend – half a year later, we had a full on spread and in my opinion it was worth the wait.

We drank some really good stuff. It’s best that I don’t disclose every bottle in view of the label we may acquire. Here’s a few worth trying if you’re passing Dundrum and looking for wine for entertaining.

The Gemtree, Tadploe Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2006. This is one of those Australian reds that I keep reverting back to. It retails at €12.90 but warrants a price tag far higher than that. This is a really elegant style of New World Shiraz. The McLaren Vale produces some of my favourite Australian wines and they always have their own unique style due to the micro-climate of this area. The nose is blackcurrant, some ripe cherry, liquorice with a slight greenness – damp grass maybe. The palate doesn’t disappoint, ripe berry, black pepper, dark chocolate and finishes with some elegant tannins. This is not your average Aussie Shiraz. It’s quite dry in comparison to other commercial brands most people would be familiar with and is a really good example of a well made Shiraz. I would consider this a Friday night Favourite in 66.

During the steak dinner we got stuck in to some Rhone Reds. I always like a Rhone with a rare to medium steak, Bordeaux is advised but not by me. I’m 100% a Rhone and steak girl.

We had a bottle of Domaine de la Janasse, Cotes du Rhone 2007 €16.90. I spent a week down in this part of the valley a couple of years ago and it was the best wine trip I have ever been on. Apart from the wine being, in my opinion, second to none, the people are so unpretentious and genuinely passionate about their wines. Lots of Wellington boot wearing and rarely a Chateau in sight. This has a really earthy typical Rhone nose. Blackcurrant dark berry fruit with a slight smokiness. The kinda wine that makes your mouth water. The palate is silky smooth ripe berry fruit, creamy mouth feel with vanilla and some earthiness on the finish.

We also had some Chapoutier and a Guigal and that’s all I’m disclosing.

A relatively early night due to the formation of an abscess and a morning airport pick-up.

O&O

Ruth