Category Archives: Shiraz

2012 Torzi Matthews 1903 Old Vines Shiraz of Domenico Martino

In many ways this is the polar opposite of the 2012 Frost Dodger reviewed earlier. Domenic Torzi doesn’t seem to use anything that could be referred to as a formula across his work under the Torzi Matthews, Longhop and Old Plains labels. It’s refreshing. As … Continue reading

Posted in Barossa, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 2 Comments

2012 Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz

This is the tenth release of the appassimento styled Frost Dodger Shiraz. The concentration produced by dry racking the grapes and concentrating the sugars results in such density and power that I’ve never thought of it as a table wine. … Continue reading

Posted in Eden Valley, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 5 Comments

2010 Meerea Park Terracotta Shiraz

More approachable in its youth than the 2010 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz. It’s expressive and talkative, although best to give it a good decant if you want to go at it now. 30% whole bunches and 3% Viognier included … Continue reading

Posted in Hunter Valley, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | Comments Off

2011 Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz

Lighter than a traditional Woodhenge and the acidity is much more nervy. There’s an almost balsamic edge to this wine that I find rather distracting. It bothers me more than the subtle swampy notes. A good smack of the old … Continue reading

Posted in McLaren Vale, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | Comments Off

2010 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz

Since 1999 the Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz has come from the Ivanhoe vineyard in Pokolbin. The 2010 incorporates 30% whole bunches and is matured in French oak barriques – half of which are new – for 22 months. That … Continue reading

Posted in Hunter Valley, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 2 Comments

2003 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Aged Release Shiraz

A warm and very dry year in the Hunter Valley and here we have a bold and complex Shiraz articulating it. 20 months in French oak, 40% of it new. Flagship heroics. What’s really interesting is how well it pulls … Continue reading

Posted in Hunter Valley, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 4 Comments

2012 Willow Bridge Dragonfly Shiraz

The new release Dragonfly Series of wines has me eager to sample what Willow Bridge are doing at the Estate level. Most of them are keen drinking at an affordable price. This is my pick of the current releases. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Geographe, Shiraz, Syrah | Tagged | 2 Comments

2012 Longhop Shiraz

Grapes come from three subregions of the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. The wine is open fermented, hand plunged and basket pressed, spending 16 months in French and American hogsheads. You’d be hard pressed to find many other Shirazes … Continue reading

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2010 Oliver’s Taranga HJ Reserve Shiraz

Made in a style some love and others love to loathe. For me, it’s a now and then proposition. I’m happy wines like this still exist even if my buying habits have drifted elsewhere. High grade toasty, charry vanilla oak … Continue reading

Posted in McLaren Vale, Shiraz, Syrah | 2 Comments

2009 Redbank Fighting Flat Shiraz

Comes from a warm vintage and I can’t for the life me understand why it was left in 28% new French barriques and Hungarian oak hogsheads for 27 months. The fruit tastes and feels desiccated and all that wood only … Continue reading

Posted in King Valley, Shiraz | Tagged | 3 Comments