I'll preface this tasting note with a long held opinion of mine. I have been unconvinced for years of the ability of shiraz in Margaret River to make great wines. Reasonable wines, maybe, but not superlative, and, in W.A. at least, I go to the Great Southern and the Swan Valley for my shiraz.
However, after trying this wine last year at a Howard Park tasting, I was sufficiently persuaded to buy a couple of bottles. Time to open one, at 20 years of age. Under screwcap (which was an influencing factor in my purchasing decision). 14.5% abv and 18 months in French oak. Grapes from Block 4 of the Leston vineyard.
Ruby / crimson in colour with no signs of bricking and a dark opaque core. The nose opens with a good whiff of leather, leading to developed red fruits, cinnamon / cloves, a little five spice, and savoury oak.
The palate has a fairly linear entry (down the centre of the tongue) then fills out towards the back palate. More red fruits, a little mint, and savoury oak. Tannins are fine but grippy and suck the cheeks in somewhat. It's medium to full bodied but not overpoweringly so, and surprisingly juicy for a 20 year old wine.
This wine doesn't convert me overwhelmingly to the virutues of MR shiraz, but is enjoyable for ehat it is, and I will remain open to the possibility of discovering a 'great' MR shiraz one day
Cheers
Allan