Grand Cru (Perth) Tasting Group – Shiraz 2016

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

A smaller than usual number of us gathered last Wednesday for our monthly wine tasting. The theme was another horizontal tasting – Shiraz from the 2016 vintage only. Five of us each brought a bottle, so there’s only five wines described here. However, the reduced number (of people and wines) meant that we could take more time over the wines and discuss them more thoroughly. This especially related to their evolution in the glass over 30 minutes or more.

All wines were tasted blind. All we knew was that they were 2016 Shiraz, potentially from anywhere in the world. Surprisingly, then, three wines came from Victoria, and Two from South Australia, with not a W.A. or international wine to be seen. Lighting was dim, so I have not attempted to record colours and clarity.

Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick (Nagambie Lakes, Victoria, 14.5% abv): A pronounced nose, with dark plums, blackberries, and moderate cedary oak which evolved into mocha over time. The palate showed cranberry and red juicy plums, with choc/mocha and some leather. Moderate chalky tannins provide some grip and there’s good supporting acid. Reasonably balanced and a medium to long finish.

Geoff Hardy Pertaringa “Over The Top” (McLaren Vale, S.A., 15% abv): “Over The Top” in hindsight is possibly a misnomer, as the nose was shy initially, and showing a little woodsmoke and dust. It opened up to show sweet plums, brambles, cloves, leather and black pepper. There’s juicy dark plums and cocoa powder on the palate, with more black pepper and a velvety mouth feel. Grippy tannins, and medium length, there’s not much over the top at all – it was well regarded by the group and the 15% alcohol wasn’t obtrusive.

Passing Clouds (Bendigo, Victoria, 14% abv): White pepper on the nose this time, alongside tart red fruits, soft blue fruits, tomato leaf, licorice and vanilla. More blue and red fruits on the palate, with lots of mocha and savoury oak, and a slippery mouthfeel (glycerols, almost syrupy, which wasn’t everyone’s taste). Grippy tannins and good supporting acid round out what one taster described as a ripe fruit bomb.

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Savaterre (Beechworth, Victoria, 13.4%abv): Prominent tomato leaf on the nose alongside Italian herbs (especially oregano) and leather polish. Not a lot of primary fruit evident. The palate is soft, with moderate acid and velvety tannins. There’s some blueberry and sour cherry sitting alongside lots of leather and more tomato leaf and oregano. Described as “easy drinking” but one taster noted a slightly bitter finish (perhaps amaro-like).

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Penley Estate “Atlas, Son of Titan” (Coonawarra, S.A., 14.5%): Blueberry compote and a hint of leather on the nose, with dried herbs, bramble, mint and more tomato leaf. Soft palate (similar to the Savaterre but with more acid), slightly astringent tannins (black tea), poached plums in cinnamon, and some earthiness / truffle. Medium bodied and lots happening. Highly regarded by the group.

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A couple of comments on the wines generally:
• At 7 years of age, all of the wines show some primary fruit, and are also starting to show some secondary development. Most tasters felt this was a good place for the wines to be in.
• A surprise was the noticeable tomato leaf on the last three wines. Tomato leaf is generally more associated with Cabernet Franc, and its highly unlikely that traces of CF could be found in these wines!

Wine of the night by a small margin was the Penley Estate “Atlas, Son of Titan”. Thanks to those present for an entertaining evening, and wines which all showed interest and quality.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

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[phillisc]

Well I'll be!
I thought I was the only person in Australia who drinks Passing Clouds!!
Wonderful long lived wines and excellent VFM
Cheers Craig

[Waiters Friend]

Well I'll be!
I thought I was the only person in Australia who drinks Passing Clouds!!
Wonderful long lived wines and excellent VFM
Cheers Craig

We must have similar tastes, Craig. The Passing Clouds was my personal wine of the night, by a small margin admittedly.

Cheers
Allan

[kenzo]

Passing Clouds - there's a winery that has slipped under the radar for me recently! Must say that the Penley Estate labels are gorgeous...