TN: Faber Reserve Shiraz 2016

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

The last time I posted on this wine was from Faber's 2019 Shiraz Benchmark Tasting. This was the note on the day (6 years ago):

"Faber Reserve (Swan Valley): Lots of mint up front, with dark plums and savoury oak. There’s mint on the palate as well. Tannins are prominent and grippy at this stage, and there’s just the right amount of supporting acid. It’s medium to full bodied, and finishes very long."

A few years on, and this wine still shows considerable primary fruit on the nose, especially black plums and blueberries. There's still some mint or menthol, but this is not as pronounced as it might have been previously. Vanilla and cloves add spice to the nose, and there's a touch of Chesterfield leather and dark chocolate noticeable also.

The palate is similarly rich, with ripe dark plums, blueberries, a touch of Christmas cake, cocoa powder, more cloves and vanillan oak. Glycerols provide texture and mouthfeel, and tannins are well integrated. There's some savoury notes also, leading to a long finish.

John (Griffiths, owner and winemaker) offers a 20-year (or longer) lifespan for this wine. I have no doubt that he is right; however, this is so good now and I think it is unlikely to improve, just evolve further. It depends how old you like your Shiraz, I suppose. John will be launching his 2022 Reserve tomorrow night, and Ilook forward to trying it.

Cheers
Allan

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[WAwineguy]

Hi Allan

Thanks, I enjoy your notes on these old and not so well known wines. You do seem to have a soft spot for some of the Swan Valley wineries - I don't get up there much myself, but should do so more often (especially since my brother lives up at Aveley).

So which Swan Valley cellar doors would you recommend I try on my next visit northeast? I used to enjoy Houghton when it was in its heyday, but sadly I don't think Nikola Wines lives up to its forebears.

[Waiters Friend]

Hi Allan

Thanks, I enjoy your notes on these old and not so well known wines. You do seem to have a soft spot for some of the Swan Valley wineries - I don't get up there much myself, but should do so more often (especially since my brother lives up at Aveley).

So which Swan Valley cellar doors would you recommend I try on my next visit northeast? I used to enjoy Houghton when it was in its heyday, but sadly I don't think Nikola Wines lives up to its forebears.

G'day WAwineguy

My personal recommendations would be Faber, Kosovich, Talijancich (especially for fortifieds) and Upper Reach (to a lesser extent). Upper Reach has an excellent restaurant attached to it as well. Sandalford also does good wines and has a top restaurant as well.

A lot of people overlook the Swan Valley in favour of Margaret River, but SV makes for an easy day out from Perth, instead of a weekender or longer.

And don't overlook the Perth Hills!

Cheers
Allan