TN: 1996 Leasingham Shiraz "Classic Clare"

[Alan Rath]

Always heard that this is a wine that needs a bit of age, so this is the first bottle I've opened. If anything it's still too early. Still youthful dark garnet in color, the nose is a bit smoky, meaty, even garrique; Beautiful focused flavors of dark berry fruits, some black cherry, turning juicy and sumptuous, with laser-acidity cutting through for balance. Tannins are fairly well resolved, this wine drinks beautifully. Noticeably absent: oak, tar, licorice, or any other component of the slew of modern Aussie Shiraz by which we have been more recently assaulted. 93-94 points.

Regards,
Alan

[Red Bigot]

Alan, this is a pretty special wine. Also a prime example of how brilliant fruit can soak up a heap of oak, it was pretty oaky for many years after release, so you have waited to just thr right time.

[Alan Rath]

That's very interesting, Brian. I often have the opportunity to try California wines I plan to age when first released, but not always the more difficult to find Australian wines. Is there something of a recent vintage you might compare to the Leasingham in its youth?

[Rick Morcom]

I still have a 6 pack of the 1996 Classic Clare, but it is also labelled Show Reserve. Is this the same wine ?

[Alan Rath]

I still have a 6 pack of the 1996 Classic Clare, but it is also labelled Show Reserve. Is this the same wine ?

Rick, the label on my bottle does not say "Show Reserve." It is a properly imported bottle, with the U.S. Government warning label integrated into the back Leasingham label.

[Red Bigot]

The 1996 was a pretty distinctive vintage for this wine, the 98 or 99 may still be showing a bit of oak still (haven't tried one recently), but they don't quite have the lushness of the 96. Many of the Clare makers have eased off the oak a bit in recent years, maybe Knappstein Enterprise Shiraz 2002 or Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 2004 would show you the current levels of oak and fruit balance, or Kilikanoon Oracle, not sure what other young Clare shiraz you would see in your area.

[Red Bigot]

I still have a 6 pack of the 1996 Classic Clare, but it is also labelled Show Reserve. Is this the same wine ?

Leasingham did a Show Reserve Shiraz in 1995 and 1996, not sure if there have been any since. I think they may have had a different oak treatment to the Classic Clare, but I don't have any details.

[Rick Morcom]

Thanks Brian. Will try one and let you know.