This was one of just a few wines that stood out like a sore thumb at last year’s Scarce Earth tasting on account of the amount of oak and alcohol. Its inclusion really did surprise me. It just doesn’t fit the brief. Anyway, good to look at it now as a McLaren Vale Shiraz and forget the supposed philosophy behind the wine.
Ripe and clean. The increased emphasis on red fruit and pepper is completely in tune with the cool growing season as is the bustling acidity. Malty, clove-spiced mocha oak is present as a flavour yet actually doesn’t round out the wine texturally as much as I’d like. There are plummy depths to the wine along with notes of red licorice, soy and bitter chocolate. Warm through the finish. A wine that really needs a stint in the cellar to allow the structure integrate. 90+
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Diam
Price: $50
Tasted: February 2014