TN: Plantagenet Shiraz 2012

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

The last time I tried this wine was 4 years ago, at a group tasting. This was the TN at the time:

Purple black. A huge nose with Christmas cake, spice (including cinnamon), vanilla, and brambles. The palate is a touch viscous (glycerol), with cherry conserve, and juicy plums. Tannins are grippy without being obtrusive, and the wine finishes quite long.

Four years on, the wine has (not surprisingly) evolved, but not a great deal. The nose is still substantial, and those delicious spice and Christmas cake notes are still to the fore. The palate is slightly less viscous than I remember, and there's still plenty of fruit. Tannins are totally integrated and barely noticeable, and acid plays a supporting role. Long finish, and there's no rush to drink my remaining bottles - this will go another 3-5 years no worries.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Another couple of years down the track, and time to have another look.

The colour has lightened slightly, and is now a paler crimson. Spice, especially cloves, and Christmas cake (brandy) dominate the nose, with a little furniture polish, and fully developed red fruits behind these.

The palate shows more of the developed red plums and blackberries, with the tannins fully integrated and acid running a line down the tongue. In fact, most of the flavours are now forming a line towards the finish, and the wine is not as mouthfilling as it was in its relative youth or middle age. Medium length andnot going to improve - drink up soon.

There's a 2013 ready to be tried in my test rack - it will be interesting how it fares in terms of development.

Cheers
Allan