1983 Cape Mentelle Shiraz Hermitage

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 74 points

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  9/26/2014 - Drinking Trees wrote: 74 Points

  Ullage at mid-shoulder. Filthy bottle with white mold under the foil. A fully-soaked cork which was difficult to extract. Upon extraction, the cork broke into three pieces and the air was filled with a surprisingly pleasant aroma of Madeira and Christmas cake.
  
  In the glass, the nose shows some oxidation and advanced notes of raisin, coffee, and prune, but there's also a bright note of raspberry. The palate is as thin as water; there's not a skerrick of tannin left. It seems shockingly acidic, partly because there's no body to balance the acid. Flavour initially resembles damp old newspaper, but after a few minutes it reveals notes of redcurrant, cranberry, pomegranate, and citrus fruits. This wine has defied the odds to remain drinkable, though it's not good enough that I actually WANT to drink it.

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