95+ rated aussies…
We had a great turnout for this and the theme was aussie Shiraz that had been rated 95 or better (Parker, Tanzer, WE, etc.) All wines were served blind and we had no idea what wines were in the tasting. Despite the bumm rap these wines get, I haven’t had this much fun at a tasting in some time and loved drinking these. They also went with just about every course as well so the food theory doesn’t fly with me either.
Flight 1
The 2006 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 was slightly controversial with half of the table really liking it and the other half claiming it was rubbing alcohol. I think my score shows which camp I was in and this is drinking spectacularly well. Make no mistake about it though, it’s a full bore wine that doesn’t leave much for the imaginaton! This was the best bottle of 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. I’ve had and it was very different from the bottle in the next flight and a previous bottle I’ve had as well. Tight and with good structue, this improved in the glass and was stunning.
- 2006 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Wow, an impressive wine that has big, perfumed and stunning aromatics of blackberry, licorice, paine grille and toasty oak. This is followed up by a full bodied, silky palate that is seamless, lush and long. (96 pts.) - 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
This showed a boatload of reduction on the nose but cleaned up quickly to show interesting, dark and earthy aromatics. Subtle herbs, meat and bitter chocolate are supported by fantastic dark fruit aromas that carry over into the full bodied, structured palate and long finish. (94 pts.)
Flight 2
This bottle of 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. was very different from the previous bottle of the same wine and was much more straightforward, ripe and sweet. Still excellent and I think it would have integrated its fruit and sweetness on the palate with more air. The 2004 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. shows spectacularly well and is seamless, silky and long. While I’ve no doubt this will age fine due to its impeccable balance, it’s stunning now and I’ll be drinking my remaining bottles sooner rather than later.
- 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
More in line with a previous bottle, this shows straight forward notes of dark fruit, blueberry, earth and toasty oak. The palate was a let down though and lacked structure and depth, coming across as borderline sweet and a little simple. Still, this has serious fruit, a lush texture and a long finish. (90 pts.) - 2004 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Just beautiful on the nose and this gained complexity with air. Massive blackberry notes are supported by spice, paine grille, graphite and toasty oak notes and the palate is close to perfect. Full bodied, smooth, seamless and not a hard edge to be found anywhere with the finish going on and on. (97 pts.)
Flight 3
Noticeably different than the previous two flights, these showed more acidity, structure and a slightly different fruit profile with more red fruits to go along with the typical black and blue notes. The 2002 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra McLaren Vale was still a young pup with obvious structure and tannin. This is drinking beautifully but if I was lucky enough to have any bottles, I’d put em in the back of the cellar. The 2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley was utterly fantastic and I like this one even more than the 2005… and I thought a hell of a lot of it!
- 2002 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra McLaren Vale - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Still seemingly very young and compact, this is gorgeous stuff and does almost everything right. Fantastic aromatics of bright, spicy and peppery blackberry and raspberry fruit, earth, smoke, leather and ripe eucalyptus notes lead into a full bodied, rich, balanced and long palate. This has noticeable acidity, structure and tannin. (96 pts.) - 2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
My favorite wine of the night and just packed with earthy, bright and mineral laced fruit, leather and chocolate ganache flavors that cover the palate. Despite the size, this has fantastic acidity, amazing purity, perfect balance and a kick ass finish. (99 pts.)
Flight 4
The 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve was similar to a bottle I had a couple years ago and it’s not showing a hint of its age. Perfectly balanced, smooth and with amazing structure, this is a reference point Shiraz and anyone who thinks these wines can’t age should taste this! The 2001 Barton Vale Shiraz The Challenger was tight and structured with a slight medicinal note on the nose. The 2001 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard was the Ringer and is a strange wine and while it improved in the glass, I don’t think there were many people at the table who liked this.
- 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
The second time I’ve had this wine and it’s one of the best aussie I’ve ever tasted. Cassis, blackberry and earthy underbrush aromas are balanced out by pine resin and subtle balsamic aromas and this is as smooth and pure as can be. The palate is full bodied, perfectly balanced, structured, precise and amazingly long. I could drink this every night. (98 pts.) - 2001 Barton Vale Shiraz The Challenger - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
This shows bright blueberry fruit with spiced meat, herbs and thyme aromas on the nose. Slightly compact and dense, this is full bodied with rich fruit and a long finish. (91 pts.) - 2001 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon
Strange, strange, strange and I thought this was flawed and borderline undrinkable at first. While the nose was interesting with huge notes of rosemary, dried cherries, earth and roasted herbs, it also showed an alcoholic edge… and the palate was a complete nightmare that had me looking for a spit bucket… and I wasn’t spitting. I left this in the glass though and the alcohol on the nose became less apparent and the palate lost its hard edge as well… so, not a good showing but judgment reserved. If you got em, decant.
Dessert
Not sure what the going rate is for this but if you’re a fan of Sauternes, give this a whirl.
- 2002 Step Rd Sémillon Reserve Selection - Australia, South Eastern
A dead ringer for a 2003 Sauternes, this has straight forward notes of honeyed tropical fruits, beautiful purity, a precise texture and a long finish. (91 pts.)