Three Aussie Shiraz side-by-side. The Astralis 2004 (95 pts) was one of the best Astralis I‘ve had to date. Often too ripe and drying out early and while ripe, this had no excess on any front and showed very elegant, with good freshness and an even slightly weightless feel. The Brokenwood Graveyard Vyd 1998 (94pts) showed well matured with lots tobacco complementing the still intact fruit core, all embedded in a fine structure. The Duval Eligo 2012 (93pts) was less layered than the others but showed a beautiful minty freshness to counter the ripe fruit core. I don‘t drink Aussie Shiraz too often but all three showed well today.
TN: Intense dark fruit, spices, licorice, tobacco, herbs and some spices on the nose. On the palate fine, ripe red berries, loads of dark berries, pepper, really fine and elegant, yet super intense flavors, still superb freshness. No excess weight, yet good aromatic density. Good length. Overall, a positive surprise vs my modest expectations and they wine has legs to go at least for another 10 years.
Decanting: Not decanted, no extensive decanting needed.
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Tasted blind, not decanted. Sweet Asian spice, olives, menthol and medicinal notes along with fruit of dark cherry and bramble berry form an intense nose. With aeration, aging notes of leather and dry tobacco emerge and become an integral part of the bouquet. The palate shows a soft texture and feels well-integrated. A real treat.
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High quality Australian Shiraz. Perfectly mature . Peppery and herbal on the nose and palate. Good tannic structure and sufficient fruit to keep it going for a number more years
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11/23/2022 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
Three Aussie Shiraz side-by-side. The Astralis 2004 (95 pts) was one of the best Astralis I‘ve had to date. Often too ripe and drying out early and while ripe, this had no excess on any front and showed very elegant, with good freshness and an even slightly weightless feel. The Brokenwood Graveyard Vyd 1998 (94pts) showed well matured with lots tobacco complementing the still intact fruit core, all embedded in a fine structure. The Duval Eligo 2012 (93pts) was less layered than the others but showed a beautiful minty freshness to counter the ripe fruit core. I don‘t drink Aussie Shiraz too often but all three showed well today.
TN: Intense dark fruit, spices, licorice, tobacco, herbs and some spices on the nose. On the palate fine, ripe red berries, loads of dark berries, pepper, really fine and elegant, yet super intense flavors, still superb freshness. No excess weight, yet good aromatic density. Good length. Overall, a positive surprise vs my modest expectations and they wine has legs to go at least for another 10 years.
Decanting: Not decanted, no extensive decanting needed.
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11/13/2022 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
Tasted blind, not decanted. Sweet Asian spice, olives, menthol and medicinal notes along with fruit of dark cherry and bramble berry form an intense nose. With aeration, aging notes of leather and dry tobacco emerge and become an integral part of the bouquet. The palate shows a soft texture and feels well-integrated. A real treat.
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5/20/2022 - dalondra Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still drinking well.Fruity and peppery
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10/31/2020 - Rhone Rick Likes this wine: 95 Points
Unbelievable! Fine smoked wood, sherry & tobacco, fig jam and very smooth, long finish.
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10/14/2020 - dalondra Likes this wine: 93 Points
High quality Australian Shiraz. Perfectly mature . Peppery and herbal on the nose and palate. Good tannic structure and sufficient fruit to keep it going for a number more years
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