This is a 100% Syrah (Shiraz in the Australian language) from the Northern Rhone. Jaboulet is one of the best Crozes Hermitage producers. The Domaine de Thalabert is a fine vineyard. This is a good vintage and grapes were picked from 40 years old vines. The wine was matured in small oak barrels. Alcohol is at 13% vol.
Colour is dark cherry red. The nose is immediately suggesting a Rhone Syrah. Beetroot mixing with sour cherries and black currant. Gamy scents are already emerging. This young wine will be very scented in 4 years time. The palate is packed with sour cherries. The wine is very well balanced and is silky smooth. When I first opened it, there were significant tannins showing but the next day the palate became more complex and smoothly evened out with airing. Medium bodied and savoury, this is a food wine. The finish is quite long with mouth watering acid. A pleasant, quite delicious young red if you donÂ’t compare it to anything else. Cost around AU $35+ and itÂ’s worth it for the exercise.
When you do compare it to Australian shiraz however, youÂ’d think this wine is a little bit light on the palate and less exciting as the words I associate with great Australians, such us POWER, COMPLEXITY, MASSIVE CONCENTRATION, RICHNESS and RIPENESS, are not so evident here.
This Crozes Hermitage is imported into Australia but canÂ’t compete with our wines in its price bracket such as the 1998 Penfolds Bin 128. That Coonawarra Shiraz will deliver you a little bit of magic. ItÂ’s simply superb with its toasty oak, and its beautifully ripe and balanced rich palate. I think Australia wins hands down nowadays against most Shirazes in the world and everyone, including the French, knows this.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted: December 2004