The Thomas Wines ‘DJV’ Shiraz wasn’t a wine that I immediately grasped when I first tasted it last release. It includes some Semillon verjuice (9% this year) and that seems to soften the tannins, add a more slippery feel to the texture and lighten the palate. Not really in the the manner Viognier impacts upon Shiraz either; this is something quite different. I found it challenged me in a way that made the wine very cerebral. The irony is, having sunk a few more bottles, I think I missed its intent entirely. This may be conceptual…a nod to the past…but it’s really about fun and easy drinking I reckon. It’s light to medium bodied, fresh and vital, and extremely easy to slug back.
Lively raspberry, blackberry and dark cherry have most bases covered colour-wise. There seems to be a hint of zesty lime accompanying gentle spice on the back palate – although the fact that I know about the addition of Semillon verjuice has me wondering if that’s not just auto-suggestion. Either way, it’s just a little tart and very refreshing. Hard not to take another sip. Old oak doesn’t get in the way of what’s on offer here. I detect a little tar and char and maybe some Hunter earth but this is clean and affable.
It’s a “Sister Havana” wine. For those of you who don’t remember Urge Overkill and the era that spawned them, I’m referring to a set of lyrics that include the lines:
Come around to my way of thinkin’. Don’t you want to, want to get along?
Why, yes in fact. Yes I do. Very Good
Region: Hunter Valley
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $30
Tasted: April 2012
What of my favourite Sweetwater in 2010? Perhaps strangely, it’s the Thomas wine that I look forward to the most. It’s high in quality plus moderate in price, and has a little bit of something ‘different’ that I like. And I suppose you have the Kiss to review as well!
MichaelC
Sweetwater is next up on the tasting bench and the Thommo was kind enough to send the Kiss too. Loved the last release of both so looking forward to it. Ah, the life of a wine writer/blogger