Showing items 1
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21
Black Opal 2000 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $11
Smooth and enticing aromas of warm black fruit and vanilla go a long way toward rolling out the welcome mat. Those scents get backing from a structured palate of cherry and pomegranate, while the straight-ahead finish is clean, even if it doesn’t offer a whole lot of complexity or texture. Best Buy. —M.S.
— M.S.
(3/1/2003)
Black Opal 2004 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $8
A surprisingly strong effort from this Foster’s-stable value brand, this ultrasoft, creamy-textured Shiraz combines scents of cassis with flavors that gradually turn redder and slightly rhubarby, moving through cherry to end crisp and cranberryish. Dustings of spice and cocoa keep it from being too simply fruity. Drink now.
— J.C.
(2/1/2007)
Black Opal 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $8
Most all of your friends will get on board this berries-and-caramel train, and at this price, you can afford to treat them. Has ripe fruity aromas and flavors, with a maple-caramel tinge that's a little sweet for this reviewer, but will find plenty of fans. 82% Cabernet, 18% Merlot.
— D.T.
(12/31/2004)
Black Opal 2004 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- $10
Shows a dry, citrusy verve on the nose. Acids are in full force on the palate, which, with its citrus and gooseberry flavors, reminded me more of Sauvignon than of Chardonnay. Fattens up on the finish; a good, bargain-priced quaff. Imported by Beringer Blass Wine Estates.
— D.T.
(5/1/2005)
Black Opal 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Eastern Australia)
- $11
The nose starts out with bacon and toast. The palate is loaded with cranberry and cherry fruit, but that doesn’t mean it’s lean and mean. Quite the contrary; it’s round and spicy, with some Zin-like character to the flavor profile.
— M.S.
(12/15/2002)
Black Opal 2005 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $8
Plump and mouthfilling, this offering boasts slightly honeyed scents and broad, understated tropical fruit flavors. A bit soft and simple, but ably fills a useful commercial niche. Drink now.
— J.C.
(3/1/2007)
Black Opal 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (South Eastern Australia)
- $11
Medium and round in the mouth, this Cab-Merlot reminded this reviewer a little of Carmenere, with its red-fruit core and loads of barbecue-like spices. There’s plenty of clove on the nose, too; what it lacks in subtlety it makes up for with quaffability. You should have no trouble finding it in stores—case production is XXX. - D.M.
— D.T.
(6/1/2003)
Black Opal 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Eastern Australia)
- $11
This is typically Australian in its rich, outgoing fruit. The density and concentration are all based around great black-fruit flavors, which give strength and power to the wine. Delicious, soft tannins underpin it, but hardly affect the ripeness of the fruit.
— R.V.
(11/15/2001)
Showing items 1
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21
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