Australia… land of bouncing kangaroos, towering eucalyptus trees, adorable koala bears, bronzed surfers, great white sharks, intriguing accents and, of course, big, delicious, flavorful (to put it mildly) WINES! Outside in Kansas City the air is getting cooler but it’s turning warmer in other parts of the world (such as Australia) so let’s go there!!!! This month we are doing a classic, the Australian Shiraz, for our red and a not so classic but equally delicious Australian Roussanne for our white. Both wines hail from the region of McLaren Vale.

The first vineyard in McLaren Vale dates back to 1838 when John Reynell planted his vines south of Adelaide. While McLaren Vale, and the entire Willunga Basin, is covered in vineyards today, the early settlers immediately saw its potential as a garden, and quickly planted it to vines, almonds, stone fruits, grains, olives and pasture for cattle. Since the beginning of the colony, McLaren Vale was recognized for the ease with which it grew the varieties of the Spanish and French Mediterranean coast.  This pristine, sandy, sunny triangle enjoys what grinning locals call “the best Mediterranean climate on Earth”.

2007 Yangarra Estate Vineyards Single Vineyard Roussanne

Yangarra is an aboriginal word meaning “from the earth.” This rare find and very limited production (346 6-pack cases) is 100% Roussanne and produced 100% on the estate, or from “their earth”.

Roussanne originates from the Rhône wine region in France, where it is often blended with Marsanne. It is the only other white variety, besides Marsanne, allowed in the northern Rhône appellations of Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Hermitage AOC and Saint-Joseph AOC. In the southern Rhône appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC it is one of six white grapes allowed. The berries are distinguished by their russet color when ripe — roux is Frenchfor the reddish brown color russet, and is probably the root for the variety’s name.

Light golden straw in color with aromas of lemon butter, carnation, slivered almonds, ginger and dried herbs highlighted with yellow apple, cantaloupe melon and pear. On the palate you’ll find a thick creamy texture and rich flavor ripe with grilled pineapple, honey dew melon and chamomile with a slight acidity and a medium finish.

2007 First Class Shiraz

From our friends at R Wines and Grateful Palate Imports comes yet another outstanding example of the luscious opulence that characterizes some of their bigger wines. The label of the bottle looks like an airplane ticket and, the back label has emergency drinking procedures in the “likely chance” of opening the bottle and consuming the wine inside of it.

100% Shiraz, this wine has a dark inky purple color with notes of coco, coco and coco. Vanilla aromas lead to fruits of almost spreadable raspberry jam, brambleberry, blackberry and baked plum. The texture is fat, oily, rich and velvety with smooth black pepper spice, dried eucalyptus leaves, licorice, red chili flakes and brown sugar in the finish with smooth tannins and a long, lingering