Category Archives: Shiraz

2011 De Iuliis Shiraz

Something of a beginner’s Hunter Shiraz but a fine example of that. Might ease a few consumers into the region’s style. It’s medium bodied with an acid backbone and some latent earth. The fruit is a touch sweet and confected … Continue reading

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2010 Old Plains Power of One Old Vine Shiraz

“This here’s a snake-skin jacket, and for me it’s a symbol of my individuality, and my belief in personal freedom” – Sailor, ‘Wild at Heart’ The Adelaide Plains may be an unheralded region but Domenic Torzi and Tim Freeland have crafted a wine … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Plains, Shiraz | Tagged | 2 Comments

2010 Chapel Hill The Chosen House Block Shiraz

The House Block sits about fifty metres away from the Road Block but there’s a world of difference between these two wines. Structurally they feel as if they were from alternate dimensions. The detailed, nutty, lattice-work tannins of the House Block are … Continue reading

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2010 Chapel Hill The Chosen Road Block Shiraz

I tasted a bracket of warm climate Shiraz blind last night, the main reason being that I have some firm ideas about Chapel Hill’s two Scarce Earth offerings and I didn’t want my preconceptions to get in the way of … Continue reading

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2010 Voyager Estate Shiraz

When I first tasted this blind at the Voyager Estate Masterclass 2012 it stood out for a good reason. It was surrounded by wines that exuded character. Shouted it even. A Glaetzer-Dixon Mon Père Shiraz 2010 (my pick of the Shiraz … Continue reading

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2010 Mr Riggs Piebald Syrah

The label clearly states “Adelaide” as the growing region, so I’ll go with that. The ‘Piebald’ used to be labelled Shiraz Viognier but now it carries the name Syrah. I’m not so fond of the re-naming. If the use of … Continue reading

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Vale WWEI: Prepare to Meet Your Maker

Vale interloper Gods listen. Or at least that’s the conclusion I came to at the end of a three-day junket in McLaren Vale earlier in July. To begin with, I kind of muscled my way into the Queensland “Meet Your … Continue reading

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2011 Bird on a Wire Syrah

Truly a product of an extraordinary Yarra Glen vineyard and a cool vintage, the 2011 Bird on a Wire Syrah is the best that Caroline Mooney has produced. It has a similar flavour profile to the 2010 but it’s more detailed, lithe … Continue reading

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

2010 Shaw + Smith Shiraz

I’ve been drinking Shaw + Smith Shiraz since 2006 and I reckon this is the best release I’ve ever tasted. Amazing to see the price remain relatively stable across that period too. Kudos. Initially, this was so tightly shaped and … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Shiraz | Tagged | 3 Comments

2008 Provenance Geelong Shiraz

Juicy, come hither style Geelong Shiraz that sits around or just over medium bodied. The vineyard in question has been farmed organically for around 12 years now, with some biodynamic input as well. Attention to detail goes a long way … Continue reading

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