TN: 1999 Writer's Block "Mark 1" Grenache Gorgeous

[Adair]

1999 Writer's Block "Mark 1" Grenache - 14% - Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley, SA

Rhubarb, dark berries, fresh prunes, nothing overripe or dead. Pure, deep, smooth, powerful and sweet fruit-driven yet not cloying, not jammy and with no glycerine mouthfeel. Sweet earth and gentle savoury spices are contribute gorgeously to complexity and enjoyment. The wine completely fills the whole length and breath of the palate with great depth that hints that it still has more to give with time. An abundance of soft, ripe cushion-like tannins enhance the wine's depth. I have not had the Torbreck Les Amis, but this is the greatest Australian Grenache I have ever tasted. 18.4/20, 94/100, and maybe more if we did not finish it within 30 minuites of opening. Drink over the next 6 years.

I had this wine on Saturday night, 23rd July 2005. It was brought over to dinner by my great friend Leif. Embarrassingly, I discussed with him whether he really should open this wine in my presence due to my dislike of Australian Grenache. We actually picked out and decanted another wine from my cellar in anticipation of my lack of interest in this wine, but Leif still wanted to open this wine. I thank him for doing so.

If you are not aware, this wine was made in honour of Mark Shield in order to raise money to help educate his two sons, as Mark was a wine writer who died at age 51 in 1998. This and a Shiraz of the same name that I have not tasted were made from grapes donated by Seppelt, vinified gratis at Rockford, matured at Seppelts, and aged partly in seasoned Seppelt barrels and partly in new French oak barriques donated by Seguin Moreau. It was bottled with corks donated by V&L, bottles donated by ACI and cartons donated by Visyboard, and some of the vintage, packaging and marketing done by friends and colleagues, whilst all being overseen buy Seppelt.

The final paragraph on the bottle’s back label reads “Raise your glass to Mark as you sip”. Indeed on Saturday night we did.

Kind regards,
Adair

[bacchaebabe]

Adair,

Do you know how much this was on release by any chance.

[Adair]

I remember Huon Hooke writing about it in Good Living within the last 12 months, and it was around $45. I think he listed it from Kemeny's for those in NSW.

Adair

[707]

Is there a Writer's Block II as well?

I know where a few bottles are hiding but not sure if they had II on them.

[Adair]

Is there a Writer's Block II as well?

I know where a few bottles are hiding but not sure if they had II on them.

I did not think so, but I am not 100% certain.

Adair

[camw]

Is there a Writer's Block II as well?

I know where a few bottles are hiding but not sure if they had II on them.

I did not think so, but I am not 100% certain.

Adair

I believe I've seen a Mark II which was a Shiraz around as well. Don't have any more details than that though sorry. Perhaps the Grenache is Mark I and the Shiraz Mark II?

[Adair]

Is there a Writer's Block II as well?

I know where a few bottles are hiding but not sure if they had II on them.

I did not think so, but I am not 100% certain.

Adair

I believe I've seen a Mark II which was a Shiraz around as well. Don't have any more details than that though sorry. Perhaps the Grenache is Mark I and the Shiraz Mark II?

Yes, I think that is correct. However, I don't think there is a Writer's Block 2 that is a 2000, 2001, etc. release.

Adair

[707]

These bottles are 1999 which is how they caught my attention. I'll go back for a further look and maybe a purchase.

Mark Shield is sadly missed by us in Adelaide, great bloke and irreverent with a sharp pen.