Wines presented generally well this evening. Just the one definite taint which wrote off the 1997.
I am wondering if Wendouree is wasted on Australians. Tonight, we had broad and extensive drinkers and the highest end of collectors, the fickle Burgundy palates and the classic Bordeaux lovers, and of course, the patient and most understanding Piedmontese geeks. Wines were very well received and staggeringly consistent in style despite the significantly varying proportions of mataro from vintage to vintage. People laughed at the suggesting the tannins were fierce and couldn't understand the polarizing nature of Wendouree in its home market. The worst comments of the evening were that the wines were not mind blowing though Linden Wilkie ( the organizer and proprietor of the Fine Wine Experience which does incredible commercial vertical tastings of the greatest wines of the world ) did explain his personal epiphany was with the straight shiraz- and the cabernet, cabernet malbec along with the shiraz are where often the best expressions of Wendouree.
I liked the choice of dinner wines to give folks an idea of comparisons to the components of the Wendouree shiraz mataro blend. A retro-Aussie shiraz in the 96 Meschach, Cornas from Clape, and Beaucastel 2007 though I'd have been happy to pitch in for the 500USD a bottle Beaucastel Hommage which is a straight mataro and would have completed the assignment better.
And Wendouree is sold and a done deal the hot rumor. Wow! I wonder what my personal black crayon greeting on the annual mail-out will eventuate toward under a more commercial entity?
Evolution in the glass was kind to all wines with many folks suggesting higher ratings if we'd scored after dinner.
Wines served blind and decanted at 1730. 16 tasters.
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2006- Some newer oak apparent. Black licorice, brown earth and truffles- a little peppermint too. Again, the oak apparent on the palate, it's not obtrusive though perhaps a little unexpected. A terrific vibrancy and power in the classic Wendouree frame - the entombment I call it, where powerful extracted fruit on the structural edges brackets a complexity which may or may not be happening within. An earthy dustiness throughout like a dry northerly blowing topsoil through the vines prior a long finish of sweet and fine tannins. Folks impressed with the balance.
92pts+
0 Firsts, 1 Second, 2 Lasts.
4th for me and 9th for the Group.
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2005- Opens up pleasantly toward and effortless scent of blackfruits and roasted meats. Weight and intensity gives a great palate prior to youthful and sweet tannins drive home a wine in evolution.
0 First 1 Second 0 LAst
6th for Me and 11th for the Group.
92pts + and off to a consistent start!
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2004- Beautifully fruit lifted, with a drifting Burgundian like aromatic complexity in multiple shades of red with curious menthol/medicinal undertones. The aromatics plough through the palate on a solid base of red and black fruits, powerful acidity carries the wines as it lingers with fine, sweet and pleasantly medicinal persistence.
1 First 5 Seconds 0 Lasts
3rd for Me and WOTN for the Group.
93pts
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2003- Elegant aromas of red licorice , truffles and a brassy iron-minerality with dominating beef stock undertones. Red and black shaded fruit on the palate with dusty oak. Clean finishing with a nice grip. On return a lack of intensity stood out to many with the 2003 though still a great drink!
3 Firsts 0 Seconds 1 Last
8th for Me and 4th for the Group.
91pts
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2002- Closed! Second pass a big sniff draws out dark cherry, faint Chinese medicines / tea with powerful dark fruits and herbs. Palate is open though. Choc-mint red and black fruits give a good complexity within a powerful bracketing force of extracted fruit - good finish with lavender infusion on the finish. Needs more time or aeration as the development incomplete.
5 Firsts 1 Second 1 Last
10th for Me 3rd for the Group.
90pts+
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2001- Classic Wendouree violets and other florals, mint, lavender, iron minerality. Mouth-filling and full on the edges, modest though welcoming complexity within grippy tannins on the finish push forward on the palate suggesting more time and a little backwardness.
1 First 1 Second 2 Lasts
7th for Me and 6th for the Group.
91pts+
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2000- Malty, stewed plums, licorice and worn leather. Though I considered this wine overly developed, all things considered, the wine had a fascination to it despite it's atypical expression.
91pts
1 First 2 2nds 2 Lasts
9th for Me and 10th for the Group
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 1999- Minerals, red and black fruits, tight and smoked meats though I'm wondering if that's my steak cooking ! Full, with the violet sweet fruited edges with a centre of juicy grit with eucalyptus and menthol adding interest.
92pts
1 First 2 Seconds 0 Lasts
5th for Me and 2nd for the Group
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 1998- Iodine, salty dutch licorice, truffle. Fully ripened palate fruits with lavender and eucalypt which sponsors a breath of austerity- bracing acidity and grippy sweet tannin. Needs time.
93pts+
2 Firsts, 1 Second, 2 Lasts
2nd for Me and 5th for the Group.
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 1997- Corked very badly!
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 1996- Powerful black licorice, earth and truffle. Some tertiary development providing high levels of complexity and this is where Wendouree hits its spot! Powerful structure with extracted fruit at the edges encasing tangoing secondary and tertiary development. Fine and puckering tannins.
94pts
3 Firsts 2 Seconds 6 Lasts
WOTN for Me and 8th for Group
Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 1995- Lid on the coffin here. Just so deathly closed. More on the palate a little cassis/licorice and dustiness. Wondering what the problem is here. 1995 vintage? Though I see where the bemusement of Wendouree critics in this wine.
85pts
1 First 1 Second 4 Lasts
11th for Me and 7th for Group
