WTN: Elderton Shiraz 1996

[Bruce Hayes]

Barossa.

Decanted.

Medium-dark cherry red.

Sweet oak and spices on the nose.

Thick and weighty in the mouth (almost semi-solid), quite rich, cherry and raspberry fruit, red licorice, good acidity, with some heat toward the end.

Very long finish with spicy and sweet fruit and a bit of alcohol.

[Jenise]

It didn't have any jammy, overripe flavors? I'm thinking that 96 was a pretty hot year--and the Barossa's pretty hot most of the time.

[Bruce Hayes]

Yes, should have mentioned jammy as well. Not overripe, although I can certainly see how others might disagree with me.

[Jenise]

Yeah, 'jammy' is definitely a beauty-in-the-eye of the beholder thing. To my tastes, jammy IS overripe but I can see where others would disagree. I found that quality in the few Commands I've had, but they were all from the so-called better vintages. This is probably one of those wines that I personally prefer in the less-ideal climate conditions.

[Paulo in Philly]

Yeah, 'jammy' is definitely a beauty-in-the-eye of the beholder thing. To my tastes, jammy IS overripe but I can see where others would disagree. I found that quality in the few Commands I've had, but they were all from the so-called better vintages. This is probably one of those wines that I personally prefer in the less-ideal climate conditions.

I stay away from "jammy" as much as possible as it overwhelms me and gives me a dull, low stomach feeling. There is nothing more depressing than opening a bottle of a wine I have enjoyed in previous vintages, only to find that the producer went goopy, or the vintage drastically changed the wine, as with my recent experience with Allegrini's 2003 Valpolicella.