Tasting Note No.3
Colour cherry red with a dark cherry centre. Very fragrant, licorice, wet earth, dark cherry and plum preserve. A very beautiful and seamless palate, richly plummy shiraz, medium weight. Mature and perfectly ready now, it has lost much of the tannin grip it had 1 year ago. Very smooth and delicate. A beautiful example of the now perhaps dying, 'Hunter burgundy' style. Very flavorful and tasty, a pleasure to drink. With more airing the tannin grips come back on, giving a long and savoury finish.
A style I love and appreciate.
Please note, the also good 1995 is a lighter vintage, it resembled a Pinot Noir more than a shiraz, looked light and ready 1 year ago. The 1997 that I've tasted a few months back, lacked the balance and 'beauty' of the 1996. This wine cost me AU $22. Always a bargain for me.
2.DUNSBOROUGH HILLS Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
A nice red from the Margaret River. Colour is very dark red, nearing on black. Although there is more merlot in the blend than cabernet, the lovely and very powerful cabernet scent of capsicum and cassis is very up front. After the beautiful and fragrant nose, the palate did not disappoint. A well structured medium bodied red with complex fruits of the forrest flavours, red berries and cassis. Savoury, long dry finish. Better than you'd think you'll get for AU $19. Will be mature and ready in 6 years time but open up a bottle now and enjoy it anyway.
3.GRANT BURGE Hillcot Merlot 2001
Seriously dark colour. The nose is much more reserved than the Dunsborough Hills, some toasty oak with fresh shavings of oak and red berry. The palate is a surprise, rich and decadent red berry, dark berry flavours and grainy powerful oak. Well balanced, at the moment, the fruit is slightly winning over the oak. Needs 6 years to come together. The merlot has 10% cabernet sauvignon added to it for tannin structure. Very tight and is full bodied, it is a serious wine for AU $20. I can recommend it, it's very good at the price but needs your patience and time.
Tasted: September,2003