TN: 1997 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz

[n4sir]

1997 Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz (cork): Schobers Vineyard, 14.0% alc. Medium to dark red/garnet. At fifteen years of age it’s still smothered with heavy, sweet oak, opening with rum and raisin dark chocolate, macaroons, smoked hickory, black cherry, liquorice bullets and cigar box. The minty palate’s a bit more than medium-weight, but the cherry fruit amazingly does a pretty fair job soaking up the timber, finishing with mint, liquorice and smoke and very fine, chalky tannins. It may last for at least a decade, but I doubt it will improve from here.



Cheers,
Ian

[tdnsfo]

I have never tried the 1997 but I do have 2 magnums of the 1999 and a few bottles of the 2002. I opened a few of the 02's in 2008 and 2009 and it was extraordinary. I have always compared it favourably to the Tintara Reserve Shiraz which I also love. I enjoy the Classic Clare Shiraz with a rare 500 gram rib eye steak....on the bone.