TN: WCC Australian Shiraz Blind

WINE TALK
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WCC AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ BLIND - Home of Chef Andrew Plummer, East Greenbush, NY (5/25/2017)

My regular Albany group met to taste Australian Shiraz blind in the home of the great local chef Andrew Plummer.

For notes, photos, and a ranking of the wines by the group, see my website:

http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2017-05-25_WCC_Shiraz_Andys/

Flight 1: Torbreck Plus One
Norwegian Salmon in Marcona Almond & Chicory Coffee Crust, with Roasted Tomato Coulis, Lime Yogurt, and Veal Glaze.

  • 2001 Torbreck Shiraz The Factor - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
    Big ripe nose of black fruit and tar. Gorgeous silky fruit in the mouth. Wow! We are off to a good start. It has a pinpoint precision to it. (94 pts.)
  • 2002 Torbreck Shiraz The Struie - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
    Earthy red fruit nose. Silky complex and long. Impressive, esp. for the price. (93 pts.)
  • 2003 Torbreck Descendant - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
    This bottle seemed hot and overripe, just too high in alcohol. Others like it better than I did, but I think maybe it was mildly corked. NR (flawed)
  • 2005 Charles Cimicky Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
    Huge ripe stunningly expansive nose. Huge in the mouth, but with great balance. Sadly, my glass was marred by too much sediment. (94 pts.)

Flight 2: d’Arenberg The Dead Arm
Duck Confit with Arugula & Fennel Stick Salad, Bing Cherry Reduction, and Lotus Chips.

  • 1998 d’Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
    [Double-decanted for a half hour around 4pm.] I was disappointed when I found out that this was the bottle I brought. It was backward and tannic and not showing enough fruit for the tannin. But it had more fruit when I decanted it. I recommend pop and pour unless my bottle was just an advanced bottle. Still appealing, but not like when I opened it. (92 pts.)
  • 2002 d’Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
    More complexity with lots of red and black fruit in the nose and mouth. Still bracing tannins, but more fruit than the 1998. (93 pts.)
  • 2004 d’Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
    Silky, sweet and elegant. More mature, but with just the right balance of fruit. Surprised to see this was the youngest in the flight. (94 pts.)

Flight 3: Penfolds Grange
Pistachio Encrusted Rack of Lamb with Braised Brussel Sprout Leaves, Mashed Parsnips, and Minted Demi-Glace.

  • 1991 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia
    [Double-decanted around 11am.] Smoky red fruit nose. Long, complex, and soft. Ripe and delicious. (94 pts.)
  • 1994 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia
    Very similar to the first wine (1991 Grange). Smoky, sweet, and delicious with a long complex finish. Impressive wine! (94 pts.)
  • 2001 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia
    Another terrific wine, quite similar to the first two, but more backward and tight. Maybe the same wine only younger? Still delicious now with really upside potential. 93-96 (93 pts.)

Flight 4: Glaetzer Amon-Ra Barossa Valley
Chicken Galantine with Truffle Duxelle, Semonlina & Sweet Corn Cake, and Morel Crème.

A lot of good, rich, ripe wines, but nothing that really wowed me. The food was terrific as usual.
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