d’Arenberg’s d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache has a proud history of ageing well in good vintages and I’d say you can pop a few bottles of the 2010 away with confidence.
Juicy fruit. Fresh raspberry and blackberry, scorched earth, ironstone and licorice. Provencal herbs and some black spice on the finish. It’s typical d’Arenberg really. Has the house stamp all over it. Those peasant-like tannins which soften over time but always provide the rails for the flavours to run along. Around medium bodied. Some tea leaf is mildly distracting but not a major issue, especially at the price. 91+ Good – Very Good
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $19
Tasted: March 2013
Usually my favourite d’Arenberg wine. They’ve stopped sending them in though, for whatever reason, so good to know it’s on form. I love tea.
Saw it on the shelf and bought it – even though I’m not a big fan of tea
Have emailed regarding a few new releases. Must still be working out their sample regime…
We’re all buying wine to review it seems. It’s not a bad thing truth be told. I’m going to do a little bargain trawl shortly…things on the shelves that common folk might buy
Quite like a bit of tea-leaf tannin in wine, though often get too much of it in pinot noirs with really high percentages of whole bunch use.
Buying wine is a good discipline, I think. Haven’t checked my records, but think I’d buy around 80% of the Italians or Oz-Italians I look at for possible review. Does shrink the field of wines you can look at though.
Tea leaf isn’t my favourite profile to be honest, but it has to be overwhelming before it becomes a significant factor in my rating. Also depends on the wine. Don’t mind it so much in Nebbiolo, see it often in Cabernet – more often than I’d like.
As for buying wine, in theory I can see the argument for – but as mentioned it’s going to shrink the field of wines you look at and, at least if you live in Brisbane, your reviews are not going to be as timely as others. I just don’t see the turnover onto new vintages here nor do I see the range of wines on the shelves that I find in say Melbourne. I do think it all adds up to a loss for readers and often, a loss for the producers. For the record, the good folks at d’Arenberg, O’Leary Walker, Yalumba, McWilliams, Teusner etc are always happy to respond to my requests for samples. Many, many others are precisely the same. And I do appreciate it.