Tasting Impressions: Woodcutters, The Footbolt, Bin 555

[Grinners]

Took along a Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 05 to dinner last night - very enjoyable. Quite sweet, a strong, pleasant, floral aroma, very smooth and thick mouthfeel. Thick and sweet enough that its probably best shared amongst three, i felt it was that half a bottle IMO was the max i'd enjoy before it became to sweet.

Had this a couple of times decanted and not - strongly recommend a quick decanter if your opening any time soon, really helped to lift the aroma and flavour.

When returning home from restaurant, opened a 2004 D'arenberg Footbolt Shiraz, without decanting was gross comparatively to the Torbreck. Very sharp, peppery characters, subsequently two glasses went down the sink.

Opened a Wyndam Estate Bin 555, always good run of the mill reliable quaffer. Smooth and generously flavoured.

Had another look at the Footbolt tonight - has made some serious headway in opening up and relaxing the sharp characters i so strongly disliked. Fuller bodied than either the Woodcutters or Bin 555 but i'd recommend giving it a few years to settle and figure itself out. If you need to open one soon and expect to enjoy it - give it a rigorous decant before hand.

Any one have any other impressions of the 04 Footbolt?

[Wayno]

It's interesting, I have always rated the 555 as a good quaffer wine. I'm not otherwise much of a fan of the Wyndham Estate wines but the 555 stands out as a very easy and enjoyable drink. I would buy some were it not for the tons of other quaffers that I need to get through!

[Josie]

Any one have any other impressions of the 04 Footbolt?

i tried it just the other day and i agree with your first impressions of it. it didn't do much for me at all.