I meant to taste this alongside the other 2011 Thomas red wine releases but I happened to misplace it. Have been checking in on it since last Friday. It’s my least favourite of his wines from that vintage. Sourced from the Ben Ean vineyard, 20% whole bunch and co-fermented with 12% Semillon verjuice. I’ve enjoyed a couple of past vintages. I think the 2010 used between 7-9% Semillon. It’s a nod to an old Hunter trick apparently. This time around though, the verjuice is overplayed.
It’s expressive aromatically. Red berries, dried flowers, hints of spiced orange peel and licorice. In the mouth it feels light-on, skinny and acidic. Lemon and cola characters don’t really work for me and there’s an astringency that takes away from the wine. Over time the acid backs off but not a long way, and that lifted perfume (not VA) that I enjoy begins to dissipate. 86 Average
Region: Hunter Valley
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $30
Tasted: May 2013
Here’s hoping your wrong about this! But somehow I think you might be right …
MichaelC
I don’t normally disagree with you Jeremy but – shock, horror – I really liked this. And I was expecting shock, horror. Have a look at my note under the 2010 on tWF for more detail. I found it effortless to drink. Loved the smell of it (got orange peel too), and the way it went down. I didn’t detect anything like lemon and cola. Yes, there’s acid, but it ‘lifted’ some dark cherry and earthy Hunter fruit for me. Yes, it’s on the thinner side – but I wasn’t thinking of it as “Hunter Shiraz”. It really shone in my Riedel Grape Pinot Noir glasses. I’ve got three left, so I think I might try another soon-ish, and if I get the same result, I’ll cellar the remaining too for a few years. I can’t explain why I liked this, but I did.
Oh well, that’s wine!
MichaelC
I’m really happy you liked it Michael. It’s a wine made with intent and Thommo’s an excellent winemaker. It didn’t click with me this year, but as you say, that’s wine.