d'Arenberg Ironstone Pressings 1999

93 points
I don't drink wines like this very often (often enough). This is a meaty earthy tannic savoury with nots of sweet restrained fruit, spicy long lasting finish- wine. 100% McLaren Vale old vine Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre. this wine is made in a very similar way to Grange- with soft crushing and hand heading, final fermentation in new French and American oak barrels, so the wood is not overpowering, but certainly the tannin level is near the edge (where I often like it). Fantastic with a home-grown vegetable stew and red meat (sorry Byron).

Penfold's Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre 2003

88 points
A savory example of the blend, some Penfold's style tannins (fairly heavy but powdery), but not overtly oaked. The blend was not as fruity as some other examples, but had good mouthfeel and length. A good value from Dan Murphy's at $17, but the same wine was $24 at Vintage Cellars.