Wine Tasting 16: 1998 Lindemans Pyrus fm Coonawarra, Austra.

Coonawarra is situated about 380km south east of Adelaide, the wine capital of Australia. Coonawarra means Honeysuckle by the local Aboriginals. This is actually a cool climate region in South Australia excels in growing cabernet sauvignon (and shiraz). There they also plant some pinot noir, merlot and Cab Franc etc. The regional has a unique soil structure with a top layer of red terrarosa soil with an underlying layer of limestone. Wine produced are famous for being complex yet elegant and have excellent structure - not the typically loud upfront big body fruit bomb style from South Aussieland.

Lindemans produces 3 top wines from Coonawarra namely St. George, Limestone Ridge and Pyrus. Pyrus is a true Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The first feel from my nose was sweet and spicy oak, cola, root beer and dry orange peel plum with waxy red cherry berry fruit. On the mouth, the feel was a higher 'Aussie' style acidity then with the fruit, more sweet spicy oak (French oak), cola, subtle mint, mild tobacco, cedar and pencil shavings. Medium to full body with soft tannin means the wine is elegant yet has good structure. A true cool climate wine with complexity. The wine is still vibrant after 8 years from it's vintage. It's a great food wine (because of it's acidity) that can stand up a thick steak (It has structure/complexity) or a quality hand made pizza (elegant enough). The finish is fair and clean with more orange peel lingers on. (90-92 points) Michael Lam from the Beverage Review

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[robinho1979]

Umm wine jargon is exagerated!!sure you can taste different berries, some oak,acidity..but pencil shavings? I have read wine guides saying a wine has a taste of tomato stalk, chalk.,wax...like really do you guys taste pencils eat tomato stalks have a taste of a chalk?wax from a candle or ear wax?get real..be simplified when commenting on a wine.

[michaelyblam]

Thanks for the honest comments. I have to say it's REAL. Many Cabernet based wines especially from Bordeaux left bank have pencil shavings characteristics. I wonder how old you are. I used to shave pencils when I was a kid (still do) and the nose is identical. TRY IT and train your nose with it. YES! It's 100% REAL.

[michaelyblam]

Oh yeah! Chalk is a very comment descriptor in wine. I can tell easily when a wine is chalky as simply because it's chalky!!! I guess because some grapes are grown in chalky soils thus draw up the taste from the soil...I honestly wonder why you find you it unreal to accept these descriptors?! Perhaps you do not come across these tastes before in your life?

[VANTASHTIC]

For Coonawarra wines...you must try wines from Parker Estate (Terra Rossa) and Balnaves (Tally)...and fyi, I'm sipping a glass of Justin Justification'00, Paso Robles (Cab Frnc n' Merlot) and its mighty delicious

[michaelyblam]

I have tried these before according to my memory.

[wineco]

I think that comparing a good wine with coca cola, coke or lemone cola makes an understatement of the good wine :) alex

[michaelyblam]

Alex, thanks for your comments. I don't compare a wine with cola - I detect cola in this wine. Cola, just like cherry, blackberry, coffee...and a million things...is just a standard taste description. It appears very much especially in new world syrah (expensive ones).

[rockchick80s]

Flybreath thought you would appreciate this - the story you told me about your Uncles Land and the Terracotta Soil. I've had a few Wines from this Region and they are Mind Blowing.

[owen2416]

Michael what happened to all your videos. why have you stopped making them.

[ShreddyTeddy]

Michael Blam is a genius. Lovin' it.

[VANTASHTIC]

Thats gggreat!!!! I'm in the industry, if you've got anything to share, please let me know.