Reviewed 17 January 2012
A short, sharp tasting resulting in some excellent wines. None more so than the Windy Peak. I would like to try this again as the panel was unanimous in their praise. At $14 or less, it is a great bargain.
Ultimately though, my wine of the tasting is the Forester Estate. Whilst good now, it will be even better in a few years.
Reviewed
Forester Estate – Shiraz – 2009 (17.8+). Mulberry, mint and eucalypt on both the nose and palate that speak to this wine’s Margaret River heritage. The medium weight, succulent fruit has been skilfully combined with sympathetic winemaking. The result is a supple, almost fragrant wine with no rough edges. With air this develops a touch of opulence with licorice and a soft, lingering savouriness. This is a smart wine that deserves medium term cellaring and is great value at around $20.
De Bortoli – Shiraz – Windy Peak – 2012 (17.8). Souring fruit that hints at Satsuma plum and fresh cherry. On the palate there is masses of peppery fruit over cherry and souring acidity that really adds life. Textured and fine, this is a very well made wine. Long and supple, the tannins are fine while the oak only provides support. If you can hold on for a year or two to allow everything to settle, this will be a superb drink. At $14, it is a tremendous bargain.
Juniper Estate – Shiraz – 2009 (17.3). Dense, cooler region fruit here with a core of medium-bodied mulberry and plum fruit. Long and savoury in the mouth, this is a smart wine. Medium-bodied and supple, the acid and tannins shut down the palate, but this should evolve with time in the cellar or a bit of air in the glass.
Evans and Tate – Shiraz – Metricup Road – 2010 (17.2). Lighter, fresher fruit than the Riche shiraz from Faber. Bright plum and cinnamon spice characters with juicy, supple fruit flooding the palate. The tannins are ripe and soft, while the oak provides good support. There is a touch of licorice and tannin grip to close. An excellent mid-tier wine for early/mid-term consumption.
Killerby – Shiraz – 2010 (16.8/17.5). Soy sauce, sweet and sour and herbal notes stamp this as a cool climate shiraz. The palate is dense and textured, and obviously expensively made. There are hints of plum cake to close. The question is whether there is enough generosity to the fruit to make this good drinking now. Certainly, it will be all the better for 5 years+ in the cellar.