Reviewed: 26 October 2012

A few excellent reds made it through the tasting to this write up. At the top end, the John Duval Plexus and the Block 7 from Deep Woods were excellent wines. In the middle of the bracket was the Singlefile Pinot Noir. This brilliant wine that stood out like a beacon amongst the heavier bodied wines that it was served with.

Ultimately, the pick of the tasting has to be the Willow Bridge Dragonfly shiraz. A super effort a modest price.

Reviewed

Deep Woods – Shiraz – Block 7 – 2010 (18). Dense and ripe, yet there is fragrant fruit on the nose. The palate is big and powerful, with dense black fruits. This is full of licorice and spice and the palate is balanced and remarkably restrained for a wine of such depth and power. On the finish, there are chewy tannins and the oak is swallowed up by the fruit. Combined, they add depth and texture to the finish. Will last for many years.

John Duval – Shiraz/Grenache/Mouvedre – Plexus – 2010 (18). A lovely nose that is restrained and fine. Dark fruit aromas, with plum and a touch of tar-like complexity. The palate is silky and very long. The generous, though souring fruit is fresh and there is a lovely aniseed component to the finish. Very fine tannins frame the fruit nicely and the oak is a subtle influence on the texture. The layered fruit builds for some time in the glass.

Singlefile – Pinot Noir – Single Vineyard – 2011 (17.8). Much lighter hue than the other wines here (this was accidentally put in to the shiraz bracket). Lovely nose that is fragrant, ripe and supple. The fruit on the palate is remarkably ripe and dense. In fact, there is a degree of viscosity here. The structure and texture are excellent and the flavours linger for a very long time. Silky and fine, this is Burgundy-like in body and structure.

Laughing Jack – Shiraz – Greenock – 2010 (17.5+). The nose is tight and restrained, while the palate is excellent. The fruit is dense and balanced, while the oak is fine, as are the tannins. Lighter bodied with cherry and spice, this is a supple wine. A pretty wine of some charm and likely to improve for some time.

Stormflower – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz – Dry Red – 2009 (17.5). More concentration to the fruit than many here. Very attractive nose that has ripe, balanced fruit with complimentary oak highlights. There are hints of coffee/mocha, plum and tar. The palate is fresh and vibrant, and quite juicy up front, though the oak and tannins balance this out very well. Well made, using good quality oak.

Willow Bridge Estate – Shiraz – Dragonfly – 2011 (17.5). Tar, spice, cherry and plum combine on the nose. The palate is dense and structured, but the balance is spot on. The surprisingly powerful fruit has been wrapped in a velvet cloth, making this a lovely drink now. Make no mistake though, this is a very good wine that will improve for at least five years and is better than many at the affordable end of the market.

Millbrook – Shiraz – Barking Owl – 2010 (17). Concentrated shiraz fruit on the nose. Licorice and spice with floral, almost peppery highlights. The palate is vibrant, though the fruit is still slightly subdued by the quality oak and fine tannins. This is long and quite elegant. The fruit is supple and dense and the winemaking spot on.

De Bortoli – Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – La Bossa – 2010 (16.5). Sweet fruit and vanillin oak on the nose, with some chocolate overtones. The palate is simple, fresh and vibrant, with soft tannins and enough acidity to make the finish attractive. Ripe but balanced