As you would expect from a Hunter Valley Shiraz this wine is lighter, richer and vibrant in colour. There is a great crimson red with a surprising depth in the wine that may be the first indicator of the expected tannin structure this wine might have.
I have to admit that I started a bit disappointed at how this wine first presents in the glass. The aromas are subdued, subtle and just not evident enough to grab your attention. I would not go as far as to say bland but for a shiraz this is just flat. But with a little more time in the glass it begins to open up and there is a sweetness and young fruit presence that becomes interesting. Pink musk stick, vanilla ice cream, hints of lavender and just a touch of acidity that eventually become evident so perhaps give this one time to breath.
When drinking there is an immediate presence of lovely green apple slices and pear with a cola like overtone that becomes moorish with each sip. After a few more tastes there is a great finish to the wine that has a lingering sour cider finish that balances the green apple opening blast with a very slight undertone of barbecued sauce that gives a sweet and sour presence that progressively build the structure of the wine. There is little length in this wine and a very thin tannin structure that makes this very smooth and soft with no real kick or finish however the texture of this wine fascinates me. I am caught with a lovely light oily finish that lingers which may have come from the French oak.
Overall this is enjoyable today and well balanced but I think will be more impressive with time so if you have the room in your cellar put a few down and revisit in 5 years.
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6/20/2019 - Mavart Likes this wine: 89 Points
As you would expect from a Hunter Valley Shiraz this wine is lighter, richer and vibrant in colour. There is a great crimson red with a surprising depth in the wine that may be the first indicator of the expected tannin structure this wine might have.
I have to admit that I started a bit disappointed at how this wine first presents in the glass. The aromas are subdued, subtle and just not evident enough to grab your attention. I would not go as far as to say bland but for a shiraz this is just flat. But with a little more time in the glass it begins to open up and there is a sweetness and young fruit presence that becomes interesting. Pink musk stick, vanilla ice cream, hints of lavender and just a touch of acidity that eventually become evident so perhaps give this one time to breath.
When drinking there is an immediate presence of lovely green apple slices and pear with a cola like overtone that becomes moorish with each sip. After a few more tastes there is a great finish to the wine that has a lingering sour cider finish that balances the green apple opening blast with a very slight undertone of barbecued sauce that gives a sweet and sour presence that progressively build the structure of the wine. There is little length in this wine and a very thin tannin structure that makes this very smooth and soft with no real kick or finish however the texture of this wine fascinates me. I am caught with a lovely light oily finish that lingers which may have come from the French oak.
Overall this is enjoyable today and well balanced but I think will be more impressive with time so if you have the room in your cellar put a few down and revisit in 5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment