TN: 1990 Lindemans Bin 8003 Hunter River Burgundy (Shiraz) - 11.5%
Red, light red/bricking on the edges. Fine sediment is throughout the wine.
Medium intensity with a feeling of tightness. Extraordinarily complex nose with a quite powerful base of red berries with raisin, cinnamon, leather and sweet polish but nothing dirty. Steve comments: "This is the BOMB." I agree. The nose is amazing. When the Hunter gets it right, it is awesome.
The fruit on the nose is replayed very intensely on the front and middle palate. The mouthfeel is smooth and sillky. The wine is acid-driven but totally integrated. Tannins are very much in the background. Steve comments: "Tomato soup, peeled tomato soup!"(Sweet, but not candied sweet, with savoury characters and seriously pungent). Indeed, the wine is very, very intense. 5 more years would be of benefit. Aged for only 12 months in 1 & 2 year old American and French hogshead, the fruit is allowed to shine in all its glory. "It is almost not wine-like." a baffled Steve comments. The flavours linger on the mind and the palate for a very, very long time. The finish is not strong but very long. The tannins are so, so fine but there. This is a wine that is very hard to rate. It is a very unique experience that I have had the privilege. For the record, I rate it Outstanding with a hint of Ultimate, although rating this wine seems a bit meaningless due to its uniqueness. It would be comfortably served on any great table.
Adair