Hunter Valley, Pokolbin 13.5% Screwcap $25- Tasted 18/12/08
I really like Hunter shiraz. This was my first experience of Meerea, though I had heard many good things about the winery and its produce. Unfortunately for me I started with the French coopered American oak Meerea version. Fortunately, they somehow pulled it off (although I doubt I’ll go it again, they make wines that are much more suited to my tastes and they are all good and well priced so far).
The nose fairly exploded with toasty coconut, vanilla, leather and earth. The fruit was good both red and dark, the liquorice was bang on. It was sweet and earthy and it worked.
The tannins were fine and did that dissolving trick some tannins do. Excellent length and a good line. Not too bad at all.
92- If you have no issues with American oak
90- If you’re me
Website- click on the title now.
Yep, the 07 has a big sticky lather of oak too, though curiously I found it more prominent on the palate than on the nose.
I think the Aunts in general need a good 5 years in bottle before drinking. Or at least thats my theory..
It is weird how palate and nose sometimes don't matchup, even if I've been told they are heavily inter-related. It would seem to me to suggest that it is often worth talking about aroma as a seperate entity to taste.
Thanks for your thoughts on a drinking window. It's the weakest part of any understanding I can lay claim to with regards to wine. I just haven't been drinking/cellaring it long enough to know.
I may actually get another Aunts and check it after 5 years. Who knows, by then I might love a thick lather of American oak?
Cheers AG