I might be crazy (statistically likely) but I often think you get a preview of a particular region and the vintage through a particular wine. With the Barossa, if the Riebke is on song usually the vintage is. In Langhorne Creek it is the Metala. In the Hunter it is the Phillip (when it only comes from the Hunter ). In the Coonawarra it is strangely enough a Shiraz - the Wynns.
Looks like 2014 will be a good vintage! There is good depth of fruit for this price point. Nice grip to the tannin. Narrowly skates the line between juicy and sweet. Good wine. Hopefully a sign for a good vintage.
That is an interesting observation and I've got to agree with the Tuesner and Metala. I reckon the Gemtree Uncut usually gives an indication of the McLaren Vale vintage (from my limited experience anyway). I haven't had enough Coonawarra shiraz to have an educated opinion. The Coonawarra shiraz's I've had have tended to taste a little 'green' for my liking. Is that what others find? Or am I imagining it?
Interesting concept. I wonder if the same can be said about most regions. I guess the trick is finding/knowing which is the bellwether wine for each one.
dave vino wrote:Interesting concept. I wonder if the same can be said about most regions. I guess the trick is finding/knowing which is the bellwether wine for each one.
Well, Sue Bell does actually have Bellwether Wines in Coonawarra, based in a charming old shearing property
veni, vidi, bibi also on twitter @m_j_short and instagram m_j_short
Michael, you are far from crazy, indeed I would suggest spot on.
As they say here on the forum, many go long on a wine, but normally not on an $8 bottle...which was what Wynns 08 Shiraz was on release. I thought at the time this was indeed very good, and have just finished the first 6 pack. It is in a terrific spot right now, but will mellow for a decade or more.
The cheaper wine(s) in a range should be the barometer for the more premium ones to show their class, 08 Michael will be some thing else. I always think if a winemaker, or for that manner any one in industry, manufacturing etc. can not get their base product right, then the high end stuff will generally not be any better. In the case of Wynns, the 2012 and 2012 Shiraz are fabulous wines and the corresponding Michael's will be belters. Interesting with the 2013 Shiraz, has come and gone quick, thought it was good and at $11 got a case. The chains have moved onto the 2014, which I have not yet tried.
I think of 86 Kyeneton from Henschke...got 2 dozen at $60 a case on release and then managed to snag the same vintage of HoG for a good price. The lesser wine was brilliant, and the HoG was pretty good too.
I think wine drinkers will have a good run of wines from the 2012-2015 vintages in SA. Some of the 2014's starting to show up are very smart wines indeed. 2016 is shaping up hot and dry - very early days yet, but on par with 2008.
I tried the 2014 Wynns Shiraz tonight and thought that the 2013 I tried with you was a better wine. You are right about the 2014 being between juicy and sweet, but I think the sweetness just wins out. Being a Grenache drinker who doesn't mind some confected characteristics you would think I would prefer the 2014, but I don't think that sweetness works as well with Shiraz.
The 2014 is still fantastic vfm at about $12 and it should only improve with a few years in the bottle.
Cheers Ian
If you had to choose between drinking great wine or winning Lotto, which would you choose - Red or White?
I tried the 2014 Wynns Shiraz tonight and thought that the 2013 I tried with you was a better wine. You are right about the 2014 being between juicy and sweet, but I think the sweetness just wins out. Being a Grenache drinker who doesn't mind some confected characteristics you would think I would prefer the 2014, but I don't think that sweetness works as well with Shiraz.
The 2014 is still fantastic vfm at about $12 and it should only improve with a few years in the bottle.
Cheers Ian
Hey Ian
I agree the 2013 is the better wine. Particularly for the medium to long term. Both good, but the 2013 will be better.
Haven't had the 2014, but I know the 2013's pretty well. Both the Black Label and the White Label shiraz are very good wines, good balance and structure, but to me the thing that stands out in both of these wines is the outstanding expression of fruit, just so attractive. Clearly the QPR on the white Label Shiraz is huge.
veni, vidi, bibi also on twitter @m_j_short and instagram m_j_short
I tried the 2014 Wynns Shiraz tonight and thought that the 2013 I tried with you was a better wine. You are right about the 2014 being between juicy and sweet, but I think the sweetness just wins out. Being a Grenache drinker who doesn't mind some confected characteristics you would think I would prefer the 2014, but I don't think that sweetness works as well with Shiraz.
The 2014 is still fantastic vfm at about $12 and it should only improve with a few years in the bottle.
Cheers Ian
^^ +1 agree, now that I have tried the 2014. Not quite as good fruit as the 2013, still a good win and great QPR/VFM
veni, vidi, bibi also on twitter @m_j_short and instagram m_j_short
). In the Coonawarra it is strangely enough a Shiraz - the Wynns.
