Reviewed – 15 May 2011

As always, several wines did not make it to this page. What is reviewed here however is a smart line-up of wines. On a different day, any of the top wines could have received a gold medal as they are very good.

Reviewed

Capel Vale – Shiraz – Whispering Hill – 2008 (18). Ripe red fruit aromas to open, though the pretty fruit suggests a cooler region. The palate is fresh and lively, yet the balance is spot on. Good mouth-feel and length. A supple wine that offers great appeal. This really opened up after being open for 2 days.

Shingleback – Shiraz – 2007 (18). Plush, ripe and dense. Plum, cherry, licorice and a touch of earth. There are some cedary oak highlights that complement the fruit well. This is a powerful wine with dense, high quality fruit. The palate has dark fruit and chocolate notes. The length is impressive and whilst big, this is in no way jammy. A very good 2007!

Voyager Estate – Shiraz – 2009 (17.7). Licorice, ripe red fruits and cedary oak all combine well on the nose. Silky and supple mouth-feel showcasing cooler climate shiraz. The palate has bright fruit that is currently being shut down by the oak. Pepper on the close adds to the finish. A high quality wine that will develop well over ten years.

Howard Park – Shiraz – Scotsdale – 2009 (17.5). Powerful fruit here. Lovely redcurrant, and spice on the nose, with cedary oak that adds complexity. Good length and balance, though the fruit is suppressed by the structural components right now. Will be a joy in 5 – 10 years.

Ferngrove – Shiraz – Dragon – 2008 (17.3). This is a balanced and elegant wine that shows ripe fruit on the nose that is forward and bright. Chocolate and licorice dominate the finish and quality oak only adds to the package. Good length and mouth-feel cap off a good drink.This is an easy wine to like.

Mt Horrocks – Shiraz – 2009 (17++). Very closed at present, so it is difficult to get a good handle on this. The nose shows pretty black fruits, while the palate is quite brooding, with slightly stewed plum fruit. Good length of flavour, the palate freshens and builds depth with air. This is an interesting wine showing quality ripe fruit. It just needs a few years to come out of its shell.

Angove – Shiraz – Vineyard Select – 2009 (17+). This has an intriguing nose – there is a whole lot going on, with red fruits, cherries, spice and a touch of pepper. The palate shows plum and concentrated fruit that is dense and long. The wine really builds in the mouth and the finish is long, round and mouth-filling.

Howard Park – Shiraz – Leston – 2009 (17+). Ripe, but with a lovely savoury edge. Chocolate, leather and earthy flavours on the palate. This is a serious wine with plenty of character. Quality fruit and winemaking are on display, though it needs time to come together.

Willow Bridge – Shiraz – Dragonfly – 2009 (16,8). Very pretty nose. Vibrant red fruits to the fore. The palate is soft, round and juicy with a touch of pepper to close. While this is not a complicated wine, it delivers great everyday drinking.