All of the awards this wine has received were granted in 2004 and 2005. Shingleback usually produces good quality Shiraz; unfortunately, the 2003 vintage was horrid. I think it was because of the combination of (1) lack of rainfall that produced small, flavorless berries and (2) how the wine was stored in the questionable liquor store where I made the purchase. The heat was overwhelming and the sun was shining on the bottles. This observation didn't cross my mind until I finally tasted the wine and wondered why I had to pour it down the drain after one glass. It had a very strong flavor of acidic espresso, wet oak and stone, black pepper, dark overripe cherry and blackberry, and loads of tannins that you would think have settled down by now.
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An addicting chocolate raspberry nose. Fruit forward with a hollow mid-palate, but there's a quick burst of fruit on the finish. A nice everyday quaffer under $20 smackers.
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Decanted for 30 minutes. Dark purple color in the glass. Nose of blackberry jam and currant with notes of toast and cedar developing after 10-15 minutes. Very full mouthfeel with firm tannins and dark berries. The finish was a bit harsh but smoothed out quickly. This is a very good Shiraz for the price, but needs another year to balance out. I think it has the stuffing to last 2-3 more years.
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I really like this. Drank with a selection of cheese & salami while playing Settlers of Catan. Not an overt fruit bomb at all, not extracted, just a mildly complex red fruit, spice, chocolate, & a little oak. well integrated right now.
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Subtle fruit nose lost in less than subtle alcohol. Medium full in the mouth: a bit more sour than sweet; however, it improved as the night went on. Perhaps it should have been decanted for an hour?
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Pretty spicy Shiraz. Good blackberry flavors, but it seemed a bit hot for the first 30 minutes after opening. It did mellow out some with more air time. The mouthfeel was OK, but not nearly as good as other McLaren Vale Shirazs that are out there right now. I didn't get any vanilla from this one, which is something that I am really enjoying from quite a few McLaren Vale Shirazs right now. Good value - would try again.
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AD Trade show: Spicy red fruit on the nose. It comes at you, but it works. However, this is not as lush or interesting as I remember the '02. I'd rate it in the 86-88 range.
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Dark opaque purple. The nose has lots of oak, vanilla, spice, and fruit. On the palate the wine is slightly tart but that goes away with some air. Pretty good structure with fine tannins and moderate acidity. Medium to full body. Good length on finish. This wine was over the top with oak / vanilla notes on the first day. On the second those are much more tame. Some complexity. 50 + 5 + 11 + 15 + 7
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Color quite dark. Nose rich and spicy, with dark berry/chocolate overtones (which also come through on the palate). On the palate, the tannins are definitely there, but not overbearingly so, given everything else going on with this. Acidity may be a tad high, but it still comes out nicely with fruit and tannin enough to compensate fairly well. A heady McLaren Vale Shiraz, which should be good with sufficiently flavorful foods (red meats, etc.), though I'm quite enjoying it on its own. Guess this comes down for me to an 89-90 point range (not sure I'd use the word "Outstanding" (=90-94) so I'll notch it down to the "Very Good to Excellent" and give it an 89). I find it rather pleasing, so the $16 I paid seems like a fair deal.
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Great wine - very dark and serious in the glass. Awesome fruit with a finish of chocolate and oak. Perfect for my palate. Not as spicey as some Shiraz from down under but a very complex wine. Wish I had more than 1 bottle!
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7/9/2016 - dofzin Likes this wine: 79 Points
Dark ruby color. Some sediment--best to filter. Tannins have softened significantly. Drink now.
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8/22/2015 - GrandmaDizzy Likes this wine: 81 Points
Far side of drinkable. Had a tobacco nose, with berries and cocoa, but a little on the flat side at this point. If you have this drink it right now!
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6/24/2009 - ChefR0b wrote: flawed
All of the awards this wine has received were granted in 2004 and 2005. Shingleback usually produces good quality Shiraz; unfortunately, the 2003 vintage was horrid. I think it was because of the combination of (1) lack of rainfall that produced small, flavorless berries and (2) how the wine was stored in the questionable liquor store where I made the purchase. The heat was overwhelming and the sun was shining on the bottles. This observation didn't cross my mind until I finally tasted the wine and wondered why I had to pour it down the drain after one glass. It had a very strong flavor of acidic espresso, wet oak and stone, black pepper, dark overripe cherry and blackberry, and loads of tannins that you would think have settled down by now.
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12/18/2008 - winecouver wrote: 87 Points
Peppery, not overpowering fruit. Good structure. Slightly leathery nose. Could use more complexity. Great value!
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11/8/2008 - book_worm71 wrote:
Excellent, great value.
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10/23/2008 - Hollowleg wrote: 89 Points
An addicting chocolate raspberry nose. Fruit forward with a hollow mid-palate, but there's a quick burst of fruit on the finish.
A nice everyday quaffer under $20 smackers.
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8/10/2008 - wsswesty wrote: 90 Points
Drank this wine without food and enjoyed every sip! Big wine...loads of fruit with a chewy mouthfeel. I will be buying more of this.
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5/12/2008 - gigabit wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Dark purple color in the glass. Nose of blackberry jam and currant with notes of toast and cedar developing after 10-15 minutes. Very full mouthfeel with firm tannins and dark berries. The finish was a bit harsh but smoothed out quickly. This is a very good Shiraz for the price, but needs another year to balance out. I think it has the stuffing to last 2-3 more years.
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11/16/2007 - MurphyCellar wrote: 90 Points
Wonderful shiraz! Lots of berry and currant flavors; nice depth and very full in the mouth.
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11/16/2007 - curtispomeroy wrote: 86 Points
Very respectable shiraz with nice nose and well-balanced flavors. A bit muted but still has enough spice to pair well with food.
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11/11/2007 - Triple H wrote: 89 Points
I really like this. Drank with a selection of cheese & salami while playing Settlers of Catan. Not an overt fruit bomb at all, not extracted, just a mildly complex red fruit, spice, chocolate, & a little oak. well integrated right now.
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6/15/2007 - ecnemergut wrote: 89 Points
Much better than previous bottle: decanted 20 minutes. Nice cherry nose. Medium in the mouth with chocolate, cherry and spice. Solid
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4/30/2007 - ecnemergut wrote: 83 Points
Subtle fruit nose lost in less than subtle alcohol. Medium full in the mouth: a bit more sour than sweet; however, it improved as the night went on. Perhaps it should have been decanted for an hour?
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1/1/2007 - Be Lazy wrote: 86 Points
OK - a bit too pushy, good with food
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11/25/2006 - last chance wrote: 89 Points
Pretty spicy Shiraz. Good blackberry flavors, but it seemed a bit hot for the first 30 minutes after opening. It did mellow out some with more air time. The mouthfeel was OK, but not nearly as good as other McLaren Vale Shirazs that are out there right now. I didn't get any vanilla from this one, which is something that I am really enjoying from quite a few McLaren Vale Shirazs right now. Good value - would try again.
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11/11/2006 - cjboffoli wrote: 82 Points
Tannic, spicy, strong vanilla. Tight.
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10/19/2006 - hutch wrote:
AD Trade show: Spicy red fruit on the nose. It comes at you, but it works. However, this is not as lush or interesting as I remember the '02. I'd rate it in the 86-88 range.
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10/16/2006 - kris.h wrote: 88 Points
Dark opaque purple. The nose has lots of oak, vanilla, spice, and fruit. On the palate the wine is slightly tart but that goes away with some air. Pretty good structure with fine tannins and moderate acidity. Medium to full body. Good length on finish. This wine was over the top with oak / vanilla notes on the first day. On the second those are much more tame. Some complexity. 50 + 5 + 11 + 15 + 7
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9/30/2006 - Winefrog wrote: 89 Points
Color quite dark. Nose rich and spicy, with dark berry/chocolate overtones (which also come through on the palate). On the palate, the tannins are definitely there, but not overbearingly so, given everything else going on with this. Acidity may be a tad high, but it still comes out nicely with fruit and tannin enough to compensate fairly well. A heady McLaren Vale Shiraz, which should be good with sufficiently flavorful foods (red meats, etc.), though I'm quite enjoying it on its own. Guess this comes down for me to an 89-90 point range (not sure I'd use the word "Outstanding" (=90-94) so I'll notch it down to the "Very Good to Excellent" and give it an 89). I find it rather pleasing, so the $16 I paid seems like a fair deal.
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7/1/2006 - MBrown wrote: 92 Points
2nd bottle I've had and both were awesome. Dark, hard core red wine. Tons of fruit and oak. Don't miss it!
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4/26/2006 - MBrown wrote: 92 Points
Great wine - very dark and serious in the glass. Awesome fruit with a finish of chocolate and oak. Perfect for my palate. Not as spicey as some Shiraz from down under but a very complex wine. Wish I had more than 1 bottle!
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3/21/2006 - BonzelCassie wrote: 84 Points
A bit tangy. More sour than fruit. Not bad, well flavored, but out of balance - too sour.
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1/21/2006 - Gulelin wrote: 90 Points
Fruit forward aroma. Spicy. Great balance. Starts with fruit and then a hint of spice (tasting note from journal).
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