Appearance Medium-deep intensity of dark crimson with a touch of purple. Attractively youthful. Nose An elegant nose of ripe dark fruit aromas – blackberry and raspberry – with an overlay of herbs and a touch of menthol belying its Australian origins. Some attractive spicy complexity is beginning to evolve from the soft primary fruit aromas. Palate Medium-bodied in weight, this classically cool-climate Shiraz displays ripe blackberry fruit mixed with herbal and spicy flavours. The acidity is balanced providing freshness and potential longevity, and the tannin structure is suitably firm with ripe dry tannin on the finish nicely balancing the fruit. This Shiraz is deliberately elegant and food-friendly rather than in the big rich alcoholic style of the warm regions of Australia. It has more in common with the Rhône Valley of France than with the Barossa Valley in South Australia Cellaring The important thing with maturation is to ensure that a wine is both enjoyable in its youth but also has the potential and structure to develop positively in the bottle. And Shiraz doesn’t have to be immense to achieve complexity with age. The berry and spice flavours of this wine together with its elegant structure will provide the necessary components for short to medium-term bottle ageing. Drink now or through to 2015. Partnering Food Versatility is the central core for this wine. Good primary fruit but with complexing spice and peppery aromas and flavours lend themselves to simple grilled and barbequed meats, with lamb and charcuterie being the best. Beef and light game such as quail and squab will also match well with this wine, as will Italian-style cuisine. The variety - Shiraz The classic red grape of France’s Rhône Valley and epitomised in wines such as Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, Shiraz is also best known as the classic Australian red variety. Capable of producing wines of many different flavours and aromas, blackberry, spice and pepper are common descriptors. Shiraz is also capable of amazing weight and alcohol in warm regions but in cool climates the more spicy and peppery flavours will predominate. Shiraz is amazingly adaptable and versatile.
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