Old Australian Label is New to America by Darryl Beeson Mc William's is one of Australia's oldest and most award winning family owned wineries. They possess a passion that shows in the contents of the bottle. Since 1877, when Samuel McWilliam planted his first vines at Corowa in New South Wales, successive generations of the McWilliam family have been been expanding their base of fine winemaking in Australia. For more details, visit www.mcwilliams.com.au. McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Shiraz, Australia 2000 Price $12 Rating 89 Hanwood Estate actually refers to grapes derived from numerous select vineyards, primarily in Riverina, but accented with grapes from important regions elsewhere. "Sweet berry fruit flavors are balanced by a fine structure," says Jim Brayne, winemaker. "This vibrant brick-red colored wine is soft, rich and persistent with black cherry, liquorice and plum fruit flavors integrated with vanilla and coffee bean characters derived from barrel maturation." The makers suggest matching this red wine with meat dishes including curried pork loin, ginger rubbed beef filet with sweet potatoes, or herb crusted lamb chops. McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Chardonnay, Australia 2002 Price $12 Rating 88 "This chardonnay exhibits a pale yellow with light straw green hue," describes Jim Brayne, winemaker. "The wine's fresh peach and melon flavors are joined by toasty vanilla oak and a long, crisp finish." The makers suggest serving this wine with any number of fish dishes, to include grilled salmon, Thai swordfish salad, freshly shucked oysters, not to mention baby new potatoes. McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Merlot, Australia 2002 Price $12 Rating 87 "This merlot has a crimson magenta hue," boasts Jim Brayne, winemaker. "A lifted violet and ripe plum fruit aroma combines beautifully with the sweet vanilla and mocha oak characters." The makers suggest that this red be paired with grilled lamb kebabs, marinated veal chops or gourmet sausages. McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia 2002 Price $12 Rating 89 "There are herbal and blackberry flavors within a good tannic structure," says Jim Brayne, winemaker. "The rich palate is dominated by black chocolate along with cedar and spicy cinnamon oak characters." The makers suggest that this red be served with spicy beef fajitas, fire-roasted beef tenderloin, grilled sirloin steaks as well as gourmet pizzas. Brands- McWilliam's of Coonawarra Shiraz, 1999 Price $24.99 Rating 92 There are aromas of raspberry, plum and tropical coconut oak complexities. "The rich palate shows up front spicy white pepper and plum fruit," proclaims chief winemaker Jim Brayne, "then dark chocolate and vanillin oak character and a long, fine grained tannin finish." Brands- McWilliam's of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, 1999 Price $24.99 Rating 93 The aromas are packed with concentrated plum and blackberry. "There is a note of the classic Coonawarra mint in the nose, as well as dark chocolate and cedar," observes Jim Brayne, winemaker. "The palate is complex and fruit driven showing rich blackcurrant, plum and mulberry fruit with cocoa powder and spicy oak characters." The makers suggest that this wine be served with roast rosemary and garlic lamb or game dishes such as breast of duck in a red wine jus. McWilliam's wines are impressive winners in the Australian wine show circuit. In the year 2002 alone, they earned a total of 25 trophies and 482 medals in national shows. They were named "Most Successful Exhibitor" at seven major Australian wine shows that year: Brisbane, Cowra, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Griffith and Perth. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.