2005 Karra Yerta Barossa Shiraz

Barossa 14.6% Screwcap $25 Source: Sample

I’ve been known to swoon over Karra Yerta, so I’ll warn you now; I’m going to do it again.  This is precisely the sort of wine that reminds me exactly why I do what I do.  A wine that created a palpable sense of excitement as I drank it.

The amount of evolution that it underwent over the course of 5 hours in a flat bottomed decanter was stunning.  I enjoy the fact that wine is a living thing.  It’s the subtle movement of a bottle’s attributes which create so much of the interest and joy I derive from this strange and entrancing liquid.

Sweet blackberry & red cherry berry fruit along with earthy notes and bottle age leather & truffle.  Soft and plush yet detailed, with a velvet entry quickly being pulled into a formation of real conviction.  There’s a fair bit of coffeed tannin ready to see the fruit through a few years yet. More plum and red cherry than raspberry with savoury dark chocolate adding another distinct layer of rich flavour. Some rusticity with a slightly ferrous edge.  The finish seems to linger for an eternity. This is simply, seriously gorgeous stuff. The acidity is integrated but still fresh and I loved the tannin presence and chewiness.  As it breathed, the wine loosened up, adding a sexy hint of liquer cherry that offset the earthy depth perfectly, and all the complex components came together into one cohesive and beguiling identity.

It was a privilege to drink, especially given that very little museum stock of the original 64 cases remains.  Look out for the next release.  I can hardly wait.

Winery Website- http://www.karrayertawines.com.au/