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by Fred McMillin
for January 2000
Australia Versus California
Both Australia and California started producing wine about the same time...some two centuries ago. In over 30 years of conducting tastings, I've seen Aussie imports become more and more competitive, particularly when matched with California wines of the same price. To check the current situation, my panel tasted blind eight pair, each of the same price. Here are the winners. The highest-rated bottles are listed last.
| Winner | Rating | Price | Vintage | The Wine |  |
||
| 8th | - | Australia | 82 | $8 | '99 | Jacob's Creek Chardonnay | |
| 7th | - | California | 84 | $19 | '97 | Renaissance Syrah | |
| 6th | - | California | 85 | $11 | '96 | Camelot Pinot Noir | |
| 5th | - | California | 89 | $10 | '97 | Chateau Julien Merlot | |
| 4th | - | Australia | 90 | $22 | '98 | Rosemount Show Reserve Chardonnay | |
| 3rd | - | Australia | 91 | $18 | '97 | G S M (Rhone blend), Rosemount | |
| 2nd | - | Australia | 92 | $30 | '96 | Rosemount, Mountain Blue Shiraz-Cab (pictured) | |
| 1st | - | Australia | 93 | $18 | '96 | Wolf Blass Presidents Selection Shiraz | |
Comments
1. At a given price,Australia may be making the best Shiraz (Syrah) in the world. Opposing opinions welcomed.
2. The 1999 date on the Jacob's Creek Chardonnay is not a misprint. The Australian harvest occurs in the SPRING, not the FALL.
3. Winning five matches out of eight, Australia is looking mighty good. Chile is supposed to be the hottest exporter as we start the new millennium but I'm putting my money on the Aussies this year.
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