Grand Cru (Perth) tasting group – Shiraz – July 15, 2020

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

Our regular monthly tastings have resumed (there was wild rejoicing) and this month we looked at Shiraz. Any vintage, from anywhere in the world. Somehow, we ended up with all Australian wines, and all under screwcap.

As usual, these were tasted blind, from youngest to oldest. The notes below are the compiled notes of the group and do not reflect my personal opinions.

Talbot’s Block 2014 (Clare Valley, 14.3%): Crimson with a garnet rim. There’s prominent oak, with lashings of vanilla and milk chocolate, a touch of tobacco, black plums, blueberry, and cloves on the nose. The spearmint on the nose should have given the origin away for me. The palate profile is different to the nose, with red and blue fruits. There’s prominent acid, moderate tannins, and the wine is medium to full bodied with reasonable length. It was commented that the nose was more attractive and richer than the palate.

Marius Sympatico 2014 (McLaren Vale): This wine has 21 months in French and American oak. It’s crimson/purple in colour. The nose is complex, with red and black fruits, some leather, brambles, coffee grounds and black pepper. The red fruits persist through the palate, along with dried figs, earthiness, and charcuterie. It has a velvety mouthfeel, and is medium bodied. Well balanced and highly regarded by the group.

Seppelt Chalambar 2013 (Great Western, Victoria): Deep purple in colour. The nose has rich plums, smoky bacon, a hint of chocolate, balsamic vinegar, violets and white pepper, along with sone dusty earthy notes. It’s quite high acid, with noticeably drying tannins, and medium bodied. Like the Talbot’s Block, the group considered that the nose was more interesting than the palate; nevertheless it was well supported.

Seppelt St Peters 2013 (Great Western, Victoria: Deep purple in colour. The nose was quite muted – what eventually came out was blueberries and other darker fruits, five-spice and pepper. The quality of the fruit was commented on. The palate sung a little more – plush and velvety, with the fruit complemented by molten chocolate and some freshening acid. Medium to long finish, and a well-balanced wine. Probably opened too young.

Howard Park Scotsdale 2013 (Great Southern, W.A.): Deep purple in colour. The nose was quite a surprise – diesel exhaust, cigarette ash, tar, black pepper. Little apparent fruit. The palate appeared light- to medium-bodied only, with good acid and some red and blue fruits. The group considered that perhaps this was a faulty bottle.

Shaw and Smith 2013 (Adelaide Hills, S.A.): Deep purple in colour. In fact, this and the previous three wines were visually extremely similar. The nose shows cocoa powder, brambles and choc orange. There’s more fruit apparent on the palate, along with more cocoa (the group debated the brand of choc-milk!). Acid is soft as are the tannins. There’s a little glycerol which accentuates the fruit sweetness. Medium finish

Grant Burge Filsell 2010 (Barossa Valley, S.A.): Red/purple in colour. This was unmistakeably Barossa, with savoury notes over dark plums, earthiness and molasses. The palate showed dark chocolate, and licorice. Tannins are integrated, and there’s sufficient acid in support. It’s full bodied, with considerable length, and the group considered this too young.

Lot 113 2008 (Swan Valley, W.A.). You’ll need to look up the website if you want to know anything about this producer – a grower in the upper end of the Swan Valley, around the corner from the Corymbia vineyard. Crimson in colour. Initially some in the group thought this might also be from the Barossa. Ripe dark and red fruits, fresh plums, savoury notes and Tuscan herbs on the nose. The palate was voluptuous (in a Barossan way) – a high cocoa chocolate and Christmas pudding and dried mixed herbs. The fine tannins are grippy. It’s very slightly medicinal on the palate but this was a minor quibble. Medium to full bodied with reasonable length.

Penfolds Bin 28 2006 (South Australia): Purple in colour – deep for its age. The nose is complex, with the fruit still present, but overshadowed by brambles, menthol, leather and charcuterie. The palate is velvety, with cooked fruit, especially stewed plums. Tannins have integrated, and finish is medium to long. Highly regarded by the group, which considered this to be at its best now.

Wine of the night was the Marius Sympatico 2014.

A great night as usual, and my thanks go to all who contributed to what at times was lively debate, or just off-topic banter. All good!

Cheers
Allan

Shiraz tasting.jpg

[phillisc]

Allan, thanks for the note on the Marius and the Seppelts...have them tucked away. Think the St Peters will be an easy 30 year proposition under screw cap.
Cheers Craig

[Waiters Friend]

Allan, thanks for the note on the Marius and the Seppelts...have them tucked away. Think the St Peters will be an easy 30 year proposition under screw cap.
Cheers Craig

G'day Craig. I'm hoping the St Peters will be at least a 20 year wine. It was an offline in Melbourne that first put me onto these: http://w.auswine.com.au/forum3/viewtopic.ph ... 49#p106356. Istarted buying them regularly a few t=years ago, along with the Mt Ida and continue to buy the Chalambar as well.