Wendouree survey (Chicago, IL): A bit burly, and nowhere as elegant as the wonderful 2018. I think this may well be in a slightly awkward place, with pretty big tannins and fruit that just doesn't feel as expressive. Still, unmistakable, peppery syrah character here. Probably one that will benefit from additional time, as it's long since past its primary phase.
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Not as enigmatic as the first bottle in 2018, but not full throttle yet either.
Night one, a mosaic of dark fruits, spice and herb, riding a magic carpet palate that, as a perceptive Komrade noted, combined lightness and depth.
A Barolo-style Wendouree?
Night two, bolder, true to house form (most Wendourees seem to benefit from a night to breath up). Dark rich fruits, but raspberry and strawberry too. The usual Wendouree embroidery of coal dust and dried seaweed.
Finely woven palate. Both intense and a lightness of being, thanks to the melting fine tannin. Beautifully detailed, complex with a long tail.
A great Wendouree in the making, for the mind and the heart. Wait 5 years, 10 if you have the discipline.
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Decanted into a large decanter ~6 hours prior to service, resisted tasting it on opening.
A tad more than Medium bodied, with seductive and deeply rich full flavoured fruit; black berry, plums, a touch of prune, with a touch of menthol on the finish. Lovely balanced french oak with some vanilla, cream and spice works harmoniously with the fruit. Fine tannins linger on a long finish. Overall, the balance of the wine is impeccable. Plenty of time on its side. One of the better younger Wendouree experiences I have had.
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Crushed prunes and sticky black fruits with subtle hints of vanilla cream, cucumber and mint leaf. Floral overtones- like the first day of spring. Finishes long with fine chalky tannins leaving you puckering for more. An instant crowd pleaser rather than a brooding complex philosopher. Made for the long haul, or if you're like me and prefer your reds full-throttle, drink now but double-decant for several hours beforehand. Very hard to get which makes it all the more appealing.
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1/10/2024 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Wendouree survey (Chicago, IL): A bit burly, and nowhere as elegant as the wonderful 2018. I think this may well be in a slightly awkward place, with pretty big tannins and fruit that just doesn't feel as expressive. Still, unmistakable, peppery syrah character here. Probably one that will benefit from additional time, as it's long since past its primary phase.
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12/15/2021 - Dr S Likes this wine: 96 Points
Not as enigmatic as the first bottle in 2018, but not full throttle yet either.
Night one, a mosaic of dark fruits, spice and herb, riding a magic carpet palate that, as a perceptive Komrade noted, combined lightness and depth.
A Barolo-style Wendouree?
Night two, bolder, true to house form (most Wendourees seem to benefit from a night to breath up). Dark rich fruits, but raspberry and strawberry too. The usual Wendouree embroidery of coal dust and dried seaweed.
Finely woven palate. Both intense and a lightness of being, thanks to the melting fine tannin. Beautifully detailed, complex with a long tail.
A great Wendouree in the making, for the mind and the heart. Wait 5 years, 10 if you have the discipline.
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7/4/2021 - Matt@5453 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted into a large decanter ~6 hours prior to service, resisted tasting it on opening.
A tad more than Medium bodied, with seductive and deeply rich full flavoured fruit; black berry, plums, a touch of prune, with a touch of menthol on the finish. Lovely balanced french oak with some vanilla, cream and spice works harmoniously with the fruit. Fine tannins linger on a long finish. Overall, the balance of the wine is impeccable. Plenty of time on its side. One of the better younger Wendouree experiences I have had.
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8/26/2017 - Dom K Likes this wine: 97 Points
Crushed prunes and sticky black fruits with subtle hints of vanilla cream, cucumber and mint leaf. Floral overtones- like the first day of spring. Finishes long with fine chalky tannins leaving you puckering for more. An instant crowd pleaser rather than a brooding complex philosopher. Made for the long haul, or if you're like me and prefer your reds full-throttle, drink now but double-decant for several hours beforehand. Very hard to get which makes it all the more appealing.
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