2005 Castagna Un Segreto

Beechworth 13.5% Diam $85 Source- Retail

Sometimes, opening a bottle of wine is daunting.  If it is a wine that you have always valued highly, have great expectations of, but have never tasted you sometimes wonder whether or not it can really live up to the “idea” of it that already exists in your head.  Furthermore, if you a sharing it with someone you want give something back to the question arises; Will they appreciate it and understand why you served it?  Angst and wine aren’t really the best partners, although it seems they accompany each other often.

So what a delight to have all your expectations met and the wine appreciated by someone else too.  And I’m talking delight, not simple relief here.  This is a truly beautiful wine.

Fresh Cherries & kirsch and some dark fruit are still very much alive here.  There’s a fair bit of cool climate spice and a suggestion of five spice.  A touch of smoke, bacon fat, almonds and almond kernel.  The wine is deep and savoury with a little freshly laid bitumen on the back palate. Remarkable acid and tannin profile, with hints of sandalwood, cedar, orange peel and anise. Lithe and subtly muscled in the mouth with plums adding a softer note.

A remarkable blend of Sangiovese and Shiraz that will get even better for quite a while yet, especially in terms of further integration of its fine French oak.  Drinking it was a treasured experience.

Winery website- http://www.castagna.com.au/