AUSSIE SHIRAZ HOLIDAY PARTY - Todd’s (12/19/2013)
Last night my tasting group met to try some Australian Shiraz in the $15 to $30 range. As it was the holidays, the idea was to bring two bottles of each. After tasting thru them blind, we matched up the results to the extra bottles as best we could and everyone went home with a bottle. And, since it was the holidays, a few of us brought extra bottles to drink after the first flight. The wines were consumed blind over the course of 2.5 hours. Breads and cheeses were served.
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2011 d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab - Australia, South Australia
Light gold in color. The nose is nice with chalk, white grocery grapes and slight vanilla. Nice texture. Some tropical fruits. A bit harsh on the finish. Blind, I thought Chardonnay. Was surprised to see its Viognier/Rousanne. For around $20, this is a nice starter for the night. (87 pts.)
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2010 Schild Estate Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Not sure how proper this bottle is based on other CT comments but this was awful. Almost a unanimous last place wine. Purple in color. The nose is very strong with alcohol, cedar, kirsch and ashtray. Probably some VA but I couldn’t/wouldn’t breath very deeply. On the palate, this is oaky, hot, and alcohol. There is some jammy fruit. The ashtray continues to the palate. Didn’t change over the evening. (76 pts.) -
2011 Shingleback Shiraz The Davey Estate - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries and black pepper. A bit raisny. Nice texture. Black raspberry milk shake. Enjoyable if not profound. $25. (88 pts.) -
2010 Rubus Barossa - Australia, South Australia, Barossa
The easy WOTN for me and the group. Purple in color. The nose has cedar, black raspberries and black pepper. Nice texture. Black raspberries. Clean and with some depth to it. A bit of heat on the finish. $20, this is a nice wine that has some appeal to it. Artificial cork (the only one in the flight without a screw cap) so I wouldn’t age it, but at 3 years from vintage, this is drinking nicely. (89 pts.) -
2010 Glaetzer Shiraz Grenache Wallace - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Inky purple in color. The nose is slightly earth. Black raspberries and fresh sawdust. This jammy and oaky. Black raspberry fruit. Simple. Slight heat on the finish. $25. Its fine and drinkable. Not much more. (86 pts.) -
2010 Aramis Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Very tight on the nose. Lighter bodied than the rest. Boysenberries. Some tannins though. A bit restrained which may be its best quality. A nice BBQ wine. $22. (87 pts.) -
2011 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy - Australia, South Australia
Almost twice the retail as the other wines in the tasting. It was the groups #2. Black pepper and black raspberry on the nose. Nice lush texture. Good black raspberry fruit. Not overdone, this makes a nice cocktail without being hot or over the top. Lacks depth and precision though. (89 pts.)
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2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Trent threw this in. It was a past winner in one of our Shiraz tastings. The nose is a bit soapy, smoky, with black raspberries and fresh cut lumber. The palate has a lot of black raspberry fruit but also oak. Some heat turning hotter on the finish. Others seemed to like it more than I. (88 pts.) -
2010 Mollydooker Enchanted Path - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
IIRC, this is a Cab/Shiraz blend. The nose is a bit reduced with black raspberries, rubber, black pepper and a bit of an herbal note which is nice. On the palate, it starts out pruney but smoothes out. Black raspberry fruit. Nice texture. Some alcohol showing. There is a complexity and depth here that is interesting. Needs air/time I think. (90 pts.) -
2001 Shirvington Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Easily the WOTN. The nose has some bottle stink which blew off. Black raspberries and black pepper. Lots of fruit with a lush texture. No sign of alcohol or heat. Complex and layered but still young. Nice finish. A very pretty wine. Nice to see how well this is ageing. (92 pts.) -
2002 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
This is ageing quite well and better than many thought back in the day. Perhaps the 04 was just in an awkward spot. The nose has black raspberries and black pepper. Perhaps a hint of the oak that dominated this wine on release. Mild tannins. Lovely texture. Lots of black raspberry fruit starting to show some layering. Not at peak yet. Not noticeable oak or alcohol. Nice to see how well this developed. (91 pts.) -
2010 Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Not a whole lot of difference between this and an 05 I had last weekend. I suspect these will need at least a decade to settle down unless you like the style it is at right now. I do think it will get there. Right now the nose has a lot of black raspberry, black pepper, a bit of cocoa and is hot. On the palate, lovely lush, rich texture. Black raspberry fruit and fresh cut lumber. A bit rough on the finish. This was pop and pour, actually unscrew and pour, and I think 8 hours of decanting would help this wine a lot. Or the MD shake! (90 pts.)
Our host Todd treated us to some Cleveland Christmas Bourbon. This is high octane bourbon made locally with some spices added to it. It is an interesting drink. The bourbon is not aged and very high octane, but is not bad. This version was a bit tough to take on the nose. Comments went from baking cookies to the Candle Store at the mall, but on the palate, with plenty of ice was nice. Actually, many of the wines had more heat. 
Thanks to Todd for the nice treat and hosting. This group is a lot of fun and hopefully we can continue for a long time. Next year we start with Barolo!
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