Category: Shiraz, Victoria, Great Western
Languishing towards the bottom of a large stack of flat rectangular boxes in the south-eastern corner of my cellar, I recently discovered half a dozen almost forgotten bottles of this underneath a run of six 1995 Jack Mann. Untried for several years now, I thought it as good a time as any to rediscover one of my favourite labels over the years (the oldest vintage of this I’ve tried was the once silky and sumptuous 1972; the youngest, the extraordinarily good 2002 - 95 points).
Pleased to be able to report that over a 24 hour period this Outstanding example is right on song just at the minute with a bright future ahead of it. Garnishes a sexy medium- to dark-ruby core lightening marginally towards the meniscus. The nose offers up a dazzling array of aromas feautring dark plums, blackberries, substantial input from well-integrated savoury French oak with traces of road tar, cracked peppercorns, creosote, iodine and minerals. Smashing stuff! The palate is less developed revealing copious quantities of rich black fruits filling the mouth with the oak far more in the background. There’s considerable amplitude as the wine expands in the mouth with a slightly brawny texture that needs time to settle but is brought back into check with very fine, lively acidity and quite persistent chalky tannins. Long, powerful dry and puckering finish. Will easily handle another 10 years in the cellar and could possibly deliver one of the best results for this wonderful label in good time. 92 points today with a higher rating waiting in the wings.
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