Reviewed: 27 October 2011
Everyone loves a bargain and this tasting has thrown up a couple of great buys.
The Yalumba – Galway is a very good wine and represents a great buy at around $14 (less on discount). This is a wine that even “serious” drinkers could enjoy. The Debut by Capel Vale is another smart wine that will make an excellent everyday wine.
At the other end of the spectrum, The Gate from Shingleback is one for the cellar. This will retail for under $35 which is also a bargain.
Reviewed
Shingleback – Shiraz – The Gate – 2009 (18+). Closed and tight, this is a sleeping giant. The fruit is superb, though it is totally suppressed right now. The wine has real depth to the palate and the tannins are fine and the high quality oak is well integrated. This wine needs 15 years to show its best, so give it plenty of air if you drink it young. A real star from a producer that is at the top of their game!
Haselgrove – Shiraz – Bella Vingna – 2009 (18). Ripe fruit reminiscent of satsuma plum and sour cherries. Complex and really quite delicious, throwing up a variety of aromas in the glass. The palate has supple red berries and noticeable quality vanillin oak, but the balance is pretty good. The tannins close down the finish, but this will be very good. Quality fruit and modern winemaking, this needs time to show its best. (The best wine I have seen from this producer).
Bird in Hand – Shiraz – Two in the Bush – 2010 (17.9). Rich and ripe, with quality vanillin oak. There is mulberry and raspberry to the fore on the nose. The palate is big, but the grape and oak tannins really shut down the fruit. Everything is in place, but it needs time to express itself. Quality fruit and winemaking here. 10yrs+.
Frankland Estate – Shiraz – Isolation Ridge – 2009 (17.8). Interesting nose. Cedar, spice and plenty of pepper on the nose. Very peppery palate too. This is a classy wine that has quality fruit and superior oak. Supple, savoury finish that has some appeal.
Vinaceous – Shiraz – Snake Charmer – 2009 (17.7). I like this. Dense fruit that is in the dark/black spectrum. Some pepper too. Peppery fruit on the palate, with cedar and plenty of spice. This is a complex wine. The palate is flooded with dense fruit, though the fine grained tannins hold it in check right now. Excellent length. This is made to be consumed young so have a go.
Flametree – Shiraz – 2010 (17.5+). Sweet fruit, but with lovely souring fruit notes over the top. Grainy tannins dominate the palate at first, but soften quickly with air. Nice plummy fruit though this is very young. Good length, spicy/savoury finish and quality oak. From the Frankland River.
Hardys – Shiraz – HRB/D641 – 2007 (17.5). Up front fruit on the nose with coffee, mocha and cinnamon over hints of leather and earth. Youthful, but balanced palate that has more of the mocha/earthy flavours. A big wine, and not yet fully together, this should age well in the medium term. A good 2007!
Yalumba – Shiraz – Galway – 2010 (17.5). Sweet, fragrant fruit on the nose. This is really appealing. Dense and ripe, this has good quality fruit with hints of mocha and spice. The palate is primarily fruit driven, making this quite approachable now. Good length and reasonable depth to the fruit on the palate. Good drinking and great value. Great packaging to boot.
Capel Vale – Shiraz – Debut – 2008 (17). Opens with hints of sweet vanillin oak though the fruit is subdued. Silky palate, this has been really well made. The tannins are very fine and this is quite seamless. The fruit is subdued, but this is a classy, if somewhat commercial wine. Not that long, but builds on the finish. Value.