2002 Clarendon Hills Syrah Piggott Range Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (21) Avg Score: 93.2 points

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  1/21/2024 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 97 Points

  Background: After a long-awaited reunion with Restaurant La Rochelle in Omotesando, Tokyo, we had the pleasure of opening a bottle we left in their care since early 2019. This wine is a gem from one of Australia's oldest vineyards (1838) and we could finally enjoy it on our table. Piggot Range is steeped in history and deserves its fame.
  
  Deep, dark red showing no signs of aging.
  
  Upon the first sniff, it fills the room with its grande, typical semi-mature richness that is characteristic of better Australian Shiraz. However, initially, it was a bit restrained.
  
  For starters: tight and brief on the palate. The wine dramatically transformed within the hour, unfolding layers of complexity and intensity. It is the definition of a harmonious balance of power and elegance. Fuller than a standard Burgundy and more refined compared to typical Australian biggly wiggly robustness. The acidity is well-suited for pairing with food, featuring gentle tannins and sophisticated fruit. The palate is rich with of dark fruits, licorice, fennel, rosemary, and distinct Australian soil, with hints of menthol, wintergreen/Sarsparilla, and citrus. This complexity, coupled with its youthful vigour, suggests a bright future, potentially reaching a perfect score of 100.
  
  The sublime dishes at La Rochelle complemented the wine perfectly, contributing to an unforgettable gastronomic luncheon. The wine mirrored the restaurant's classic ambiance, its exclusivity and unparalleled deliciousness. Surprisingly, it's absent from the Michelin Guide - probably because it offers wedding ceremonies.
  
  The Lunch experience was enhanced by the chef's personal touch, presenting a complementary birthday cake to my wife. We were also graced by a brief encounter with the famed owner, "Monseigneur Monseigneur" arguably Japan's most famous French style chef.
  
  An exceptional wine with a promising future and a beautiful reflection of Australian viticulture heritage. Alas, our one and only bottle.
  
  At La Rochelle, Omotesando, Tokyo

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  1/15/2021 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 93 Points

  (Standin for Failed 1979 Montrose)
  
  Expected more.
  It was impenetrably black and had the superb concentration of a classic de luxe Oz Shiraz. Mega thick sediment in the btl. With plentiful acids and some tannins to back it all up.
  
  Our problem with this is that there's no integration between the iron, plummy, licorice infused Giga fruit on the one side the acidity and the tannins on the other. It's as if they are living separate lives.
  Maybe a phase.
  Maybe our btl.
  All the stuffing. All the greatness. But lacking integration.
  
  Still a helluva wine!

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  12/25/2019 - BillyRayValentine Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Christmas WOTN. Paired w beef tenderloin. Complex and perfectly aged. Cherry, red plum, anise, bacon, beef broth, smoke, pepper, sage and rosemary, balanced with nice acidity. A fantastic wine. I would not hold much longer - drink now.

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  3/24/2019 - pgrzesik Likes this wine: 91 Points

  This is a great example of the quality that comes from Clarendon Hills and how good McLaren syrah really is. This is a 17 year old wine and is starting to show it's age. The first night its nose was rather muted, but showing lots of tertiary characteristics - some smoked meats, cigar box, and the scent of brand new Crayola crayons. In the glass is also shows its age, with some browning of the edges. The palate was very smooth, tannins almost non existent at this point. It was complex, layers of dried fruits, and a smooth decent finish.
  
  I am sure at this age, there will be quite some bottle variation and how it was stored. However, while good, it did not leave me all that impressed. It doesn't help that I recently had Clarendon Hill's Astralis which just blew me out of the water. It felt like my bottle was already on the decline, wish I drank it a few years ago as I am sure it was packing a much bigger punch. If you have any of this left, drink up now.

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  1/12/2019 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 93 Points

  Davyd Bday lunch at Tangerine. Aired in bottle for 1 hour before drinking.
  Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with wide garnet rim. Legs.
  Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of blackberries, Ribena, dark red cherries, blueberries, mocha chocolate, licorice, sweet spices. Developed.
  On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, high alcohol (14.5%), supple integrated high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of dark red plums, dark red cherry jam, blackberries, blueberries, licorice, chocolate, sweet peppery spices, black olives with a nod to Northern Rhone. Long finish.
  Very good quality. Rather balanced, only gripe being the acidity sensation. Great example of a good Syrah from McLaren Vale. Time to drink up and enjoy.

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