Category Archives: Shiraz – Wine Reviews

Shiraz – New Release

Reviewed: 4th January 2014

Shingleback – Shiraz – D Block Reserve – 2010 (18).  Fresh and taut, with a degree of power that belies the elegance and balance of the mid-weight fruit.  Opens to show the full spectrum of ripe shiraz characters including plum, mocha, redcurrant and lovely, spice undertones.  The quality fruit has absorbed the oak, leaving palate texture and just a hint of cedar and vanilla on the back palate.  Savoury, very young and all in place, but requires time to blossom.  A restrained and delicate McLaren Vale shiraz.  (RRP $60).  I was in two minds as to whether to review this wine as it is not a typical example of McLaren Vale shiraz.  That said, the sheer quality of the fruit won out!

Willow Bridge – Shiraz – Gravel Pit – 2012 (18). I like this.  There is a dense vein of chocolaty fruit that runs from the nose right through to the finish on the palate.  Rounded and almost plump, yet the fine acid/tannin balance keeps the whole thing in check.  The slightly chewy texture adds appeal.  Very good now, but will be better in 5 – 10 years.  (RRP $30).

Singlefile – Shiraz – 2011 (18).  A very dense wine, however this needs time to open up.  Well rounded and balanced, with floral fruit highlights.  Supple, but with firm acid and fine tannins to close.  Another superb wine from this Great Southern producer.  ($37 RRP).

Redbank – Shiraz – The Anvil – 2009 (17.9).  The nose on this wine stands out for its vibrant, spicy fruit.  Think white pepper, red fruits and spice.  The palate is firm and tight, though there is a core of mulberry that builds with air.  The sour cherry acidity and firm tannins keep the finish fresh.  A stylish/sophisticated wine that needs time to evolve.  (RRP $52).

Willow Bridge – Shiraz – Dragonfly – 2012 (17.8).  A dense wine that needs a little air to express itself.  Powerful, high quality fruit that is firm, textured, chewy and quite closed initially.  Impressive length and balance, while the oak has been handled superbly.  A brilliant wine for $17!

Devils Lair – Shiraz – Fifth Leg – 2012 (17.7).  Fragrant, spicy and medium-bodied (but not overly dense).  The palate has chocolate, with citrus highlights, while the tannins are fine and will soften with time.  A youthful, elegant wine, that should be quite a bargain.

Cimicky – Shiraz – Trumps – 2012 (17.5).  Chocolaty, sweet fruit, with decent intensity and depth.  This is quite silky and supple, yet there is a seam of souring acidity and fine tannins that adds life.  Builds spicy/savoury notes and has a subtle, vanillin oak lift on the finish.  Another good wine from this underrated producer.  (RRP = $22).

De Bortoli – Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot – La Bossa – 2011 (16.9).  Plum, cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper on the nose.   Chewy, textured and long, with souring acid, delicious.  Fruit-driven, easy-drinking wine that is great value.

Cross Stitch – Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon – 2012 (16.9).  Chewy wine with mocha notes and firm tannins.  The oak is apparent though not intrusive.  A more traditional Australian red for those who like a big red.

 

Teusner – New Release

Mick And Kym

Reviewed: 22nd September 2013

I caught up briefly with winemaker Kim Teusner (pictured right) and viticulturalist Michael Page (left) to look through their range of wines to coincide with the release of the 2012 reds.

Teusner is a relatively new label, having released its first vintage of Joshua in 2002.  Since then, the team has been able to secure access to several old vineyards, and are producing high quality wines in a variety of styles and price points.

For me, the highlight of the tasting was The Family shiraz.  The fruit for this came from a single vineyard in the Stonewell sub-region of the Barossa and is chock full of Barossa goodness.  Whist this only has limited availability, it is worth tracking down as it really delivers on the price/quality scale.

 

Reviewed:

Teusner – Riesling – 2012 (17.5).  Typical Eden Valley style that is closed and restrained, with an oily minerality that adds interest.  The palate has lemony fruit and is well balanced.  While quite lean now, this has good mouth-feel and will fill out with a few years in the bottle.

Teusner – Sauvignon Blanc – Woodside – 2013 (17).  Lifted sherbet and lemon aromas with a nice zesty lift.  A balanced wine that avoids the pungency that some cool climate versions can get, yet retains a zesty freshness that defines the style.

Teusner – Shiraz – The Riebke – 2012 (17 – 17.5).  Delicious, ripe, red fruits here.  The palate is juicy, succulent and more-ish.  There is little in the way of oak on show, which allows the cherry, plum and redcurrant fruit to shine.  Now – 5 years.

Teusner – Shiraz – The Family – 2012 (18).  Compared to the Riebke, this has more depth, intensity and power, with cedary oak in the background.  The palate is structured, with some grip to close, courtesy of the oak and fruit tannins.  There is real depth, intensity and length to the superb fruit.  At $25, this is a bargain!

Teusner – GSM – Avatar – 2012. (N/A).

Teusner – Grenache/Mouvedre/Shiraz – Joshua – 2012 (18).  Really fragrant and spicy on the nose (fennel and thyme), while the palate is silky and supple.  This is deceptive as, whilst it is a lovely drink now, it has the power and structure to build and age with time.  The fragrant grenache fruit is the main feature, while the mouvedre and shiraz add structure and a peppery lift.

Teusner – Shiraz – Righteous FG – 2010 (18.5+).  Incredibly concentrated and essence-like.  The nose is an amalgam of superbly dense fruit and quality oak.  Despite being amazingly concentrated, the palate is supple and silky, with a degree of elegance on the finish.  The tannins are very fine and the length prodigious.  An amazing wine that is full of latent power.  Will live long!

Shiraz – New Release

Reviewed: 20th September 2013

This tasting was defined by the number of outstanding wines on show.  Interestingly, several of my favourites came from producers that I know little about.  The wines from Salomon, Jericho and Shottesbrooke were all noteworthy.

I will write more on each of these producers over the next few weeks.

This is not to say that some of the established players did not show well.  Yalumba’s Octavius was also in top form.  A dense, powerful wine for the long hall.

 

Reviewed

jericho-shiraz-2012Jericho – Shiraz – 2012 (18.5).  Initially, this is restrained, taut and closed, with subdued fruit characters.  The quality though is outstanding with wonderful depth and texture.  The length is a defining feature, as is the balance and velvety mouth-feel.  Will build and develop for many years.  A superb wine from McLaren Vale.

Salomon – Shiraz – Finniss River – 2010 (18.5).  This has both a captivating nose and wonderful palate.  This is powerful, yet elegant and restrained at the same time.  The palate is very long and near seamless, with subtle spicy notes.  The fruit is quite closed, but the quality is evident in every aspect of this wine.  An outstanding, sophisticated wine with great balance.

Shottesbrooke – Shiraz – Eliza – Reserve – 2010 (18.5).  Here is another cracking wine from the 2010 vintage.  Has an attractive nose that combines concentrated fruit with supple oak characters.  The palate is initially closed, taut and linear, with bright acid and fine, drying, slightly chewy tannins.  With air, this really opened up to display wonderful fruit that had layers of depth and complexity.  The palate is very complex, expressive and alive.  A beautiful wine that deserves ten years in the cellar.

Yalumba – Shiraz – Octavius – 2008 (18.5).  An impenetrable wine that took two days to really open up and show its class.  A great wine that demands patience.

Salomon – Shiraz – Finniss River – 2011 (18.3). Ripe fruit on the nose that hints at fresh plum and forest floor.  A delicious wine that has a remarkably soft mouth-feel yet has tannins that are fine and persistent.  The fruit builds depth and breadth in the glass and on the palate, evolving and enticing a further sip.  Whilst this is a big, powerful wine, it expresses a softness that is very attractive.  An excellent wine at the start of a long life.

Grant Burge – Shiraz – Filsell – 2011 (17.8).  Inky colour and really deep smelling, this wine has quality stamped all over it.  Presents precise fruit, with a vanillin oak lift.  Masculine and structured, yet with elegance and poise.  Chocolate fruit notes to close.  Long and textured, this needs a few years to show its best, as the tannins are quite firm on the finish.

Jericho – Shiraz – Adelaide Hills – Syrah – 2012 (17.8).  Lovely, peppery fruit to open here.  The spicy fruit is balanced and nicely textured.  The fruit is not overly dense, but has been handled sympathetically.  Long and balanced, this could easily take 5 years in the cellar.  Another producer who is trying to differentiate the Adelaide Hills style by adopting the French term Syrah.

Salomon – Shiraz – Finniss River – 2009 (17.7).  Cooler climate fruit that is precise and focussed.  Shows mint, red berries, bright cherry fruit, white pepper and a touch of aniseed.  Long and sappy finish with silky, slightly dusty tannins that adds life and interest.  Very smart wine that is good now or in 10 years.

Bird in Hand – Shiraz – 2012 (17.5).  Whilst quite a big wine, this has quality, cooler climate fruit characters.  The ripe, aromatic fruit is supported by supple, chewy tannins.  A youthful wine with inherent balance and good length.

Shiraz – New Release

Reviewed 7th August 2013

This tasting saw the new releases from Cherubino and Sandalford, and neither disappointed.

The highlights for the tasting were two wines from Cherubino (Ad Hoc and Laissez Faire) and the pair from Angoves.

Reviewed

Cherubino – Shiraz – Laissez Faire – 2012 (18 – 18.5).  Lovely peppery fruit here on both the nose and palate that is very attractive.  Initially, the nose is closed and tight, while the palate is restrained, yet silky and supple.  Superb fruit and winemaking on show, though this wine is only hinting at potential now.  Over a couple of days, this wine really blossomed to show beautiful fruit that is very hard to resist.  This is compelling drinking at $50.

Sandalford – Shiraz – Prendiville – 2011 (18 – 18.5).  Wow!  This is a special wine, with fantastic, cool climate shiraz that has been brilliantly handled.  Starts off refined, fine and elegant, yet there is an underlying intensity to the fruit that is disarming.  Chewy and dense, the quality French oak adds texture to the mouth-feel rather than overt flavours.  Very long, but needs time.

The Yard – Shiraz – Acacia Vineyard – 2011 (18+).  Closed, tight, dense and powerful.  Superb wine that needs years to open up and let the quality fruit sing.  The finish is drier than the Sahara desert, with tannins that completely close down the fruit.  With air this developed chocolate, plum, spice and cedar, with hints of licorice and pepper.  Demands patience, but this is a worthwhile addition to the cellar.

The Yard – Shiraz – Riversdale Vineyard – Frankland River – 2011 (17.8+).  More obvious fruit here, though this is a good thing.  Rich and ripe, with a core of chocolate running through the palate.  The tannins are very fine, though plentiful.  Smart wine now, or in 10 years.  This wine took two to three days on the tasting bench to hit its straps, but was a very rewarding drink.

Sandalford – Shiraz – Estate Reserve – 2010 (17.5 – 18).  Serious fruit on the nose, though this is the first wine where the vanilla/coconut characters from the oak sit over the fruit.  This is not a bad thing, it is just that it will need a couple of years for the oak to settle into the fruit.  Firm and drying, though the finish is quite silky.

Ad Hoc – Shiraz – Middle of Everywhere – 2012 (17.5+).  The absolute bargain in the Cherubino shiraz line-up, and a delicious wine to boot.  Opens with peppery, bright fruit that has plum, cinnamon and spicy notes.  The palate is long and fleshy, with enough structure to guarantee aging.  The finish is elegant and mouth-filling, making for a great drink now or in 10 years.

Angove – Shiraz – Vineyard Select – 2012 (17.7).  Brilliant fruit, lovely structure, sympathetic oak. This is long and dense with drying tannins.  Will reward short term cellaring.  How this can be sold for only $15 dollars is beyond me!

Angove – Shiraz/ Cabernet – Organic – 2012 (17.2).  Nice blend of ripe, peppery fruit and more complex, earthy aromas.  This follows through on the palate, with bright cherry fruit, white pepper and dense, plum flavours.  Softer tannins make this an easy wine to enjoy now with a meal, or to cellar for a few years for added complexity.  Organic or not, this is a good drink and a real bargain.

Sandalford – Shiraz – Margaret River – 2011 (16.9).  Lovely ripe fruit with smart oak.  Refined, though this is a more obvious wine.  The alcohol adds depth to the mouth-feel.  Chewy, dense and textured, this is a good mid-week wine that could also be aged for a few years.

Shiraz – New Release

Reviewed: 26th June 2013

As the weather has turned and the temperature has dropped, the panel took the opportunity to look through a strong shiraz line-up. The cooler weather presents its own problems though, as the temperature of the wine influences the flavour profile, which can change the wines characters quite dramatically.

The wines for this tasting were served at 18.5 degrees. This is an ideal temperature to drink red wine, though when first opened, the fruit aromas can be somewhat subdued. As a number of the wines were from cooler regions, the structure of the wines was highlighted.

Reviewed

Cape Mentelle – Shiraz – 2011 (18.3). This wine is closed and tight, yet incredibly fine and superbly made. The fruit quality is outstanding as is the winemaking. The finish is seamless, silky and very long. This is classic cool climate shiraz, though the degree of refinement is second to none. Dense, ripe, yet closed and restrained, this needs 2 hours in a decanter, or two decades is the cellar!

Howard Park – Shiraz – Leston – 2010 (18). Classic nose that balances ripe, yet restrained fruit with gentle cedary spice from the quality oak. Pepper, clove, star anise and Asian five spice are all expressed, yet the beautifully ripe fruit sits comfortably over the spice. The finish is textured and firm, suggesting that 5 – 10 years in the bottle will allow this to blossom. Another excellent wine from Howard Park.

Shingleback – Shiraz – The Gate – 2010 (18). The sweet fruit in this wine sets it apart from the other wines tasted to date. This has classic McLaren Vale richness with hints of coffee and chocolate. On the palate, these characters follow through, though the finish is actually quite tight. The quality oak has been well matched to the fruit and the textural components are silky and refined. Well balanced, this would take a steak beautifully, but is sure to age for many years. An excellent wine from a great vintage.

Willow Bridge – Shiraz – Black Dog – 2010 (18). Opens with licorice, spice and supple oak. On the palate there is excellent length and depth. The wine is closed down by the very fine tannins, though the balance is excellent. Excellent mouth-feel and texture supports the high quality fruit, and there are hints of mocha to close. A powerful wine that reflects the region very well.

West Cape Howe – Shiraz – Two Steps – 2011 (18). Impressive fruit here. Opens with intense licorice, plum and spice on the nose. Flows on to a palate that is powerful and firm, yet remarkably silky and fine. Though this is quite muscular, the cooler region fruit gives it a more restrained finish. The oak and tannins flatten the finish now, so a few years in the cellar will really pay dividends.

Killerby – Shiraz – 2011 (17.8). Real depth to the fruit on the nose, though the aroma profile is not mainstream (courtesy of the cooler region fruit). The palate is a touch awkward now, though the underlying fruit quality is very good. I like the finish here as the fruit and oak combine well leaving a supple, silky trail through the back palate. Quite bright and full of charm, this opens to show coffee/mocha notes and has a very spicy finish. Will be very good in time.

Shingleback – Shiraz – Red Knot – 2012 (17.5). Much lighter and less intense than many here, though the wine has been made very well. Almost purple tinged, the wine is juicy, succulent and deliciously fruit driven. A great mid-week drink and superb value. (Should be available under $15).

Shiraz Blends

5 December 2010

An interesting tasting, with several interesting wines. The Stirling was a highlight, but the wines from Kaleske and Sons of Eden delivered real drinking pleasure. A relatively high number of wines did not get reviewed (points less than 16).

Reviewed

Ferngrove – Cabernet/Shiraz – The Stirling – 2007 (18+). Wow. Cedar and spice to the fore. There is mint, eucalypt and a rich seam of blackcurrant on the nose. The touch of peperriness attests to the shiraz component. The palate is powerful yet very refined. This is a big wine, and the fruit is overwhelmed by the structure now. There is menthol and satsuma plum on the finish. Needs 5 years but will live for 20. Different style to the Majestic.

Sons of Eden – Grenache/Shiraz/Moved – Kennedy – 2008 (17.8). Intriguing nose. This is fresh and juicy. The palate is dense and chock full of high quality, juicy fruit. There is licorice and plum, as well as some savoury notes. The oak is very much in the background and the length is impressive. The finish is very fine and silky, bordering on seamless. Great drinking over the next 5 years.

Kalleske – Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvedre – Clarry’s – 2009 (17.7). More restrained, this has dense and concentrated fruit. The palate is a real step up in quality compared to some. There is ripe yet restrained plum and dark berry fruit, with a touch of earthy, forest floor characters. The finish is fresh and bright. A good each way bet.

Deepwoods – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz – Ebony – 2009 (17). Fresh and clean with mulberry and spice. There is plenty of vibrant fruit on the palate with enough acidity to make the finish refreshing. This is not so complicated, but is fleshy and enjoyable now.

Deepwoods – Rose – Harmony – 2010 (16.8). More savoury, this has obvious red berry fruit characters (raspberry jube). The palate is surprisingly delicate, dry and savoury with a tangy finish. A serious style that would carry food.

Aramis – Shiraz/Cabernet – 2008 (16.5). Softer and more subdued. There is ripe plummy fruit, but there is a lack of vibrancy. Good to drink though.

Devils Lair – Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc – Fifth Leg – 2008 (16.4). Fresh and vibrant. There are peppery shiraz notes with plummy fruit. There is a touch of mint on a chalky finish. Easy to drink.

Angove – Shiraz/Cabernet – Butterfly Ridge – 2009 (16). This again has some heavy fruit. There are plummy notes on the nose. This is juicy, but without pretence. Easy to drink.

Angove – Shiraz/Cabernet – Organic – 2009 (16). More support from other panel members. Cooler cabernet fruit to open with some grassy and herbal notes. There is a touch of sweet and sour fruit on the palate. Inoffensive and worth a look if organic is your thing.

Moondah Brook – Rose – Cabernet – 2010 (16). Vibrant colour. Fragrant and floral nose, this is very pretty. The strawberry fruit is the main feature, with a fair bit of residual sugar. Savoury notes on the finish keep it fresh.

Shiraz and Grenache

New Release Tasting

Reviewed: 30 March 2013

The highlight of this tasting was not the smart shiraz on display, but a pair of wines made from straight grenache. The Angove was fresh, succulent and juicy, whilst the Patritti was a powerhouse of old vines fruit. Different in style, but both most worthy of your attention.

Reviewed

Grenache and Blends

Patritti – Grenache – Section 181 – 2011 (18+). Fragrant, perfumed nose that is the trademark of grenache. Cherry, plum and red berries caress the nose, with subtle spice and cedary oak adding depth and complexity. The palate is flooded with masses of ripe fruit, is fresh, and is totally delicious. The tannins and oak add depth to the fruit rather than dominate it. After a couple of days in the bottle, this was even better, with superb, old bush vine fruit on display. A superb wine. ($28 ex-winery and sealed with a cork).

Angove – Grenache – Alternatus – 2012 (17.5+). Fabulous youthful fruit, and very new-world compared to the Chalk Board. On the nose, this has dense, ripe fruit over sweet oak characters. This is quite a big wine that has bucket loads of juicy ripe fruit over supple oak and fine tannins. Good length, with the flavour profile evolving to blackberry and spice. A smart wine that needs time to really come together. Best in 3- 5 years, but an excellent drink now with air.

Chalk Board – Grenache/Shiraz – Cotes du Rhone – 2011 (17). Light and fresh fruit that is bright and succulent, with a core of souring, black cherry characters. Whilst the fine tannins are noticeable, this is a fruit driven style that has seen little or no oak. Would suit food well and may even improve for a few years in bottle. (Vintage Cellars).

Shingleback – Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvedre – Red Knot – 2012 (17). Plump, ripe, supple and delicious. Not overly complex, but with good quality fruit, the finish is defined by fine tannins and acid, making this an excellent food wine.

Shiraz

Leeuwin Estate – Shiraz – Art Series – 2010 (18). Much cooler style here, with peppery, spicy fruit and refined, fine tannins. The fruit quality is excellent, as is the winemaking. The oak use is particularly note-worthy as it complements the style perfectly without imparting a flavour profile of its own. A refined wine that will be at its best after 2020.

Chalk Board – Shiraz – 2010 (17.5). Quite a serious wine that is tight, taut and closed. The fruit is fine and of good quality, while the winemaking matches the weight of the fruit very well. Supple, fine grained oak complements the fruit. Opens to show lovely red fruits and a touch of cinnamon spice. The chewy and dense finish suggests some time in bottle will be of benefit. Value from Vintage Cellars.

Patritti – Shiraz – Lot Three – 2010 (18). Masses of rich McLaren Vale (older vine) fruit on display here. There is ripe, plump fruit on the nose which is the main focus here, with the winemaking just adding support in the background. The finish is quite textured, though the silky tannins are very fine and add a drying savoury edge to the palate. An enjoyable wine that is well suited to food, though it will benefit from time in the cellar. It was interesting to see distinct espresso coffee characters develop on both the nose and the palate. $28 from the cellar door.

N.B.The espresso characters were even more obvious on Patritti’s top of the range JPB shiraz (Not reviewed here).

Faber Vineyard

New Release Tasting

Reviewed: 15 February 2012

John Griffith established Faber in 1997 after working with several wineries (including Houghton for 6 years) and a stint teaching winemaking at Curtin University.

The most interesting facet of the Faber story is that the first vines were only planted in 1997. At a time when there is a lot of cache given to old-vines shiraz, the Faber wines highlight that old vines are not the only ingredient required to make great wine. Rightly, the Reserve shiraz is considered to be amongst WA’s finest.

Looking through the new releases from Faber, I was impressed at how each individual wine was handled to maximise enjoyment. While John is a champion of Swan Valley shiraz, he draws on grapes from several premium regions to fashion other wines in the range.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Faber Reserve shiraz is a superb wine. Having said that, the other wines that I have reviewed here are worthy of attention.

Reviewed

Faber Vineyard – Malbec – Dwellingup Vineyard – 2011 (17). The colour is almost crimson/purple. This is very deep smelling, with blueberry and raspberry over mint, with briary, earthy undertones. The souring finish adds life, though there is a touch of astringency on the close (that softens noticeably with air). This wine has excellent quality fruit that has been massaged in the winery, resulting in a pretty wine that is full of subtlety.

Faber Vineyard – Petit Verdot – 2011 (17.5). Attractive, forward nose that shows very pretty ripe fruit and well-handled oak. The palate, on the other hand, is quite firm and tannic, with plum and mulberry jam components showing through. After a day on the tasting bench, this really softened, allowing the pretty, fragrant fruit to shine. Whilst ideal for lovers of a big red now, this will be much better with a few years in the cellar. Diam closure.

Faber Vineyard – Shiraz – Riche – 2011 (17.5). Rich and dense red/black fruit with a touch of fruit-cake, menthol and spice. The wafts of sweet, cedary oak compliments the style very well. On the palate, the textured, drying tannins from fruit and oak are the main feature initially. With air, the dense, rich shiraz fruit shines through. This is almost inky in the mouth. A rich shiraz that deserves time in the cellar. Made in the Saignee method where some of the lighter juice is bled from the top of the vat to concentrate the flavours.

Faber Vineyard – Shiraz – Reserve – 2010 (18 – 18.5+). There is lovely fruit on show here, with dense, ripe berries over cocoa and coffee aromas. There is also a slightly resinous character from the oak, though this will settle with time in the bottle. The palate is superb, with white pepper over dense, dark fruit characters. One on hand, this is immensely powerful, yet on the other hand, balanced and lithe. The essence-like fruit and spice speaks to the quality of the superb Swan Valley fruit used to make this wine. Sour plum and spice on the finish really add to the mouth-feel and texture. A superb wine with a long future. Cork closure.

Shiraz – New Release

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.

Shiraz – New Release

Reviewed: 1 January 2013

What is not to like about shiraz? There were some excellent wines on display from quite diverse regions.

The wines from Mount Pleasant are worth a mention due to the old-vines fruit that is used to make these. These wines must surely be some of the best value old-vines shiraz available.

The big surprise for me was just how good the Ad Hoc shiraz is. This is one of Larry Cherubino’s brands and it is excellent value.

Reviewed

Mount Pleasant – Shiraz – Maurice O’Shea – 2010 (18 – 18.5). Beautifully ripe, yet fragrant fruit on the nose. There is tremendous concentration of fruit on the palate, with the fruit soaking up the high quality oak. In the glass, this became inky and developed chocolate-like fruit aromas. Long and savoury, this is an elegant wine of charm. Needs 5 – 10 years to really hit its straps.

Mount Pleasant – Shiraz – Old Paddock and Old Hill – 2010 (18+). A smart wine that has lovely up-front fruit though the whole package is very subdued at first. The fruit and oak quality are excellent and this is a wine of great potential. The next day, this was a revelation! High quality fruit and oak combine to make a complex wine of real potential.

Cherubino – Shiraz – Laissez Faire – Syrah – 2011 (18). Opens with dense plumy fruit, spice (cloves) and sweet oak highlights. There is white pepper to the fore on a palate that is lean and savoury, making this ideally suited to food. Builds depth on the very long finish and is likely to improve for many years. A smart modern wine.

The Lane – Shiraz – Block 5 – 2011 (17.8). Sweet, floral fruit with a touch of vanillin oak and even candy. This also shows really spicy white pepper. The palate is full of white pepper, with floral highlight and licorice on the close. Dense fruit and fine tannins, with souring acidity to hold it all together. A modern, cool-area wine.

Ad Hoc – Shiraz – Middle of Everywhere – 2011 (17.7). Closed at first on the nose but develops ripe berries with air. The palate is dense and chocolaty, with bitter almonds to close. This is quite savoury on the finish really. A smart wine but really needs another 5+ years as the very fine tannins are surprisingly firm on the finish. A modern, complex wine with superb length. A remarkable wine given that this is well down the pecking order in the Cherubino line-up.

Grant Burge – Shiraz – Balthasar – 2008 (17.5+). Lovely sweet fruit with a touch of cedar and spice on the nose. The palate shows licorice, mulberry, blueberry and pepper. Long, the fruit is a touch linear now, but this will evolve with time and there is nice texture to close. With air, this opens to show plum fruits and becomes really good drinking. (I rated this very highly, though some felt that the hot vintage produced a wine with very ripe fruit characters).

Yerring Station – Shiraz/Viognier – 2010 (17.5). Earthy aromas and flavours here. Dense, ripe fruit of very high quality that is quite restrained. With air, the wine develops coffee, tar and chocolate characters. The finish is very long, if a touch sturdy now. Give it 5 years.

Mount Pleasant – Shiraz – Rosehill – 2010 (17). Attractive berry fruit with pepper and a touch of savoury soy characters. Compared to its big brothers this is not that long or dense, but this is, however, an easy drinking red that has lovely mouth-feel and fruit.

West Cape Howe – Shiraz – 2011 (17). An attractive wine that has quite soft, forward and ripe fruit and nice grip on the finish. Medium-bodied and spicy, the fruit really opens up on the finish and is complemented by a touch of savoury oak and fine tannins. European in style and a lovely drink now or in five to ten years.