Chateau Tanunda, “Icon of the Barossa,” doesn’t look like your typical Australian wine. For starters, there are no animals on the label. Rather, there’s a line-art drawing of a chateau. Very French.

The wines, however, are pure Australia through and through. While the winery says its inspiration lies in Europe, its fruit is out there in Oz, baking in the sun. Here’s how these ultra-ripe wines shake out.

2010 Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon – Very fruit-forward, loaded with jammy strawberry and blueberry notes, with a touch of greenery on the back end. Once your teeth stop hurting from the sweetness, this reveals itself to be a fairly drinkable little wine. It’s tough to pair with more savory dishes, but if you’re looking for a pre-dinner Cabernet (never easy to find), this could work out. B / $25

2010 Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz – Unlike any Shiraz I’ve ever tried. Big wood notes from the start, then pepper, earth, and charcoal notes. Fruit comes along way in the back — a somewhat unripe, plummy character with overtones of figs. Not my bag. C- / $25

chateautanunda.com

2010 Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz

$25

4

Rating

4.0/10