Community Tasting Note

• Dr S Likes this wine: 96 points

  April 11, 2020 - Opened for Easter Sunday lunch (Julie’s amazing slow cooked lamb) and later FaceTime with Geoff in Hawkes Bay who was tasting the 2005 Shiraz Malbec Pressings.
  
  A stately, charming aged red. Looks old, mahogany rim, significant fading to a dusky core. For the first six hours, a resolutely tertiary nose - dusty earth, mushroom, old leather, rust, even balsamico (not the first time a Shiraz Malbec has hinted at Italian characters). Later in classic Wendouree style, fresher aromas wafted up, cooking chocolate, aniseed and strawberry, smelling the same on day two.
  
  An elegant, medium-bodied palate. Tannin/acid resolved, savoury and fresh. Cherry, dark berries, a whisper of leather. The structure, fine texture and drying finish conjure up ‘Claret’ instead of Hermitage, let alone South Australian warm climate Shiraz. Once again, Broadbent’s remark, ‘Latour tannins’ about the 96 Wendouree Shiraz, came to mind.
  
  For all it’s age, no deterioration on day two, if anything better. Rancio, with gamey undertones, appeared on the palate, but savoury/dry, not porty (and no way akin to the caricatures beloved of Robert Parker). Superb.
  
  At its peak but knowing Wendouree probably good for another 5-10 years. Given the 98 vintage’s reputation and the lively 99 Wendouree Shiraz tasted last December, this looked older than expected. The cork was clean and the seal sound. ‘No great old wines, only great old bottles’ etc. Must retry soon, perhaps beside the 98 Shiraz and Shiraz Mataro!

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