Deep purple. Explosive perfume of blueberry compote, raisins, figs and a hint of eucalyptus and perhaps nutmeg. Big, bold fruit, but not over the top. There's complexity and balance, with real depth, lift and length. Not a subtle wine by any means but there's a very attractive character here that pulls you in for another sip, and another one....
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As the weather has been frigid here the last few days, I’d been looking for something to pair with my spicy Jambalaya. A previous attempt a couple days ago didn’t turn out so well (2009 Tedeschi Amarone Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi). Luckily, this voluptuous, fruit forward, juicy, “warmer climate” Shiraz “fit the bill” perfectly. Notes of fragrant violets, ripe black and blue berries, sweet black licorice, fresh green herbs, sandalwood, baking spices and moist black soil. Tannins are present, but subtle, with acidity and oak lingering. Seems to be mid-way through development and coming together nicely. Shows enough power to support a long, lingering finish. Very good, but lacks some of the nuance and complexity of many of the “cooler climate” Syrahs enjoyed very recently. Should drink well through 2030.
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deep purple; black fruit, coffee beans, dark chocolate, licorice; full bodied, taut acidity, fine tannins; sourced from single vineyard with red rocky soils, property owner also owns Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol and Sloan Estate in Napa Valley
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We just got back from 10 days in Brunello country (kudos to Abbadia Ardenga, btw!) and so perhaps my palate is skewed, but this is EXACTLY what I remember loving about Aussie shiraz a couple decades ago. Crazy good especially on Day 2. Love the depth of blueberry fruit, chocolaty viscosity, and overall balance with spicy cedar overtones. Tastes like a blend of the 2004 Two Hands Lilly's and Bella's Gardens.
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I wasn't really impressed with this. Dark fruit, charcoal and some earth, but thinner than expected and not very complex, especially for the price. Balanced with a medium finish, decanting didn't seem to help. If you've had Barossa shiraz, this is significantly lighter and less of a fruit bomb.
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Really well balanced with significant depth. Yes (to my Napacentric brother) it's shiraz, but the blue and black fruits are integrated with olive tapenade and make this balanced and nuanced. We opened a 92-pt GSM from Paso on the same night and the Tarrawatta was easily the winner. Kudos to Tarrawatta.
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5/18/2024 - Klaus386 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Chewy tannins
Dark fruit
Long finish
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4/22/2024 - dankrems wrote: 90 Points
Fruit forward. Big black juicy fruit but not jammy. Nice acidity and not overly tannic. Simple but decent for the price point
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7/15/2023 - popasq Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent and different Syrah. Fresh and more Rhône style than the usual Australian Syrah. Very interesting!
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2/17/2023 - DavidWong168 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep purple. Explosive perfume of blueberry compote, raisins, figs and a hint of eucalyptus and perhaps nutmeg. Big, bold fruit, but not over the top. There's complexity and balance, with real depth, lift and length. Not a subtle wine by any means but there's a very attractive character here that pulls you in for another sip, and another one....
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2/15/2023 - markjanes wrote: 91 Points
QN... super wine... deeply fruited, not over ripe, nice use of oak, complex and powerful and true to place.
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12/26/2022 - wmccone54 wrote: 91 Points
As the weather has been frigid here the last few days, I’d been looking for something to pair with my spicy Jambalaya. A previous attempt a couple days ago didn’t turn out so well (2009 Tedeschi Amarone Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi). Luckily, this voluptuous, fruit forward, juicy, “warmer climate” Shiraz “fit the bill” perfectly. Notes of fragrant violets, ripe black and blue berries, sweet black licorice, fresh green herbs, sandalwood, baking spices and moist black soil. Tannins are present, but subtle, with acidity and oak lingering. Seems to be mid-way through development and coming together nicely. Shows enough power to support a long, lingering finish. Very good, but lacks some of the nuance and complexity of many of the “cooler climate” Syrahs enjoyed very recently. Should drink well through 2030.
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12/25/2022 - J8erGater Likes this wine: 93 Points
Soft tannins and big ripe jammy flavors of black fruit. Went well with Christmas fondue and steak
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11/19/2022 - ashikoh Likes this wine: 93 Points
deep purple; black fruit, coffee beans, dark chocolate, licorice; full bodied, taut acidity, fine tannins; sourced from single vineyard with red rocky soils, property owner also owns Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol and Sloan Estate in Napa Valley
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6/27/2022 - Omadobs wrote: 94 Points
We just got back from 10 days in Brunello country (kudos to Abbadia Ardenga, btw!) and so perhaps my palate is skewed, but this is EXACTLY what I remember loving about Aussie shiraz a couple decades ago. Crazy good especially on Day 2. Love the depth of blueberry fruit, chocolaty viscosity, and overall balance with spicy cedar overtones. Tastes like a blend of the 2004 Two Hands Lilly's and Bella's Gardens.
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5/9/2022 - RDHudak wrote: 89 Points
I wasn't really impressed with this. Dark fruit, charcoal and some earth, but thinner than expected and not very complex, especially for the price. Balanced with a medium finish, decanting didn't seem to help. If you've had Barossa shiraz, this is significantly lighter and less of a fruit bomb.
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5/4/2022 - Omadobs Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really well balanced with significant depth. Yes (to my Napacentric brother) it's shiraz, but the blue and black fruits are integrated with olive tapenade and make this balanced and nuanced. We opened a 92-pt GSM from Paso on the same night and the Tarrawatta was easily the winner. Kudos to Tarrawatta.
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