A couple of older Aussies

I spent Sunday evening with some very good friends, with some lovely wine, snacks and some great records we had all been collecting. We had some of the most delicious sourdough bread as well as some truly amazing oak-smoked, sun dried tomatoes. They were utterly incredible, full of the rich sweetness of your normal sun dried tomato, but with this whole other dimension, a smoky, nutty flavour, unlike anything I've had. Obviously they disappeared pretty quickly, but the oil they left behind was so full of their flavour, alongside a super intense garlic tang. We put to good use the rest of the sourdough.
So, the wine.
Both of these friends spent a great deal of time together living in Australia, some of the best times of their lives, so I decided to bring along something with that time of their life in mind, and here they are.

De Bortoli Chardonnay 2004, Yarra Valley, Victoria

This wine really is doing well, despite on the back of the bottle a suggestion of three years cellaring is mooted. The nose is full of smoke and nutty qualities, as well as some lovely oak and tropical fruits. Although the smoke and oak are very present, it feels in no way overblown, it seems to create a rich intensity, not unlike that of Mersault.
On the palate, more of that smoke, vanilla, oak, and toast. But more fruit than I had expected, some of it tropical but also some pear-ish qualities and stoney mineral flavours.
The finish is long, and the acidity really quite big. For not much more than £5 a bottle as a bin end, I've done alright here I think. I have one left, which I may hold on to for just a little longer.

Mountain Blue, Cabernet Shiraz 2002, Rosemount Estate, Mudgee

This wine was heavier and darker than dark matter! But only as far as its appearance goes. The nose is packed with bramble fruit, and spices; cinnamon, liquorice and pepper, alongside a really pleasant earthy quality and raisin aroma. Showing it's age.
The palate has a great deal of freshness, with some herby levels, laced around some hefty blackcurrant and blueberry. That spicey nose continues onto the palate with some capsicum and pepper. All of which is underlined by really toasty warming oak, which, impressively hasn't overwhelmed the fruit, which is very much still in attendance.
Not all is positive sadly, there is some soupy quality emerging as the wine develops in the glass, and some stewed fruit. Not much, but you do become aware of it, which suggests now is the right time.
Overall a pretty enjoyable wine, entwined in a very enjoyable evening!