Suggestions please: Aussie reds that benefit from decanting

[KMP]

Seeing as I am going to be downunder in less than a week and I have no plans to visit any wineries (right!), I thought I could spend sometime finding (Aussie) wines that benefit from a few hours exposure to air. And what better place to ask for recommendations than this forum?

Much of the dogma surrounding aeration (via decanting) involves (rough!) young red wines: one to three hours of air is argued to unleash flavors, and smooth out texture. So what I am looking for are some young Aussie reds that people believe have blossomed in flavor profile and/or softened in taste after at least 2 hours in a decanter. If you can actually describe how the wine has benefited from aeration, all the better.

Bear in mind that I am going to be spending most of my time in Dubbo (NSW) and so I won’t have access to any specialist wine shops; there is only one (Sid’s) that I can recall, and its main business in drive-throu. But there are several choices including a Liquorland. Also take into account that I will be buying two bottles of any wine so that I can compare decanted versus pop-and-pour, so recommending a young Grange or HOG won’t fly.

Thanks,
Mike

[Ryan]

05 paul osicka shiraz - just after opening smells like another dark fruitbomb, that over a few hours (if i was having one with dinner, i'd open it at lunchtime) develops into a spicy chocolate delight - absolutely sensational stuff.

i sell this wine.

[Matthew Moate]

I really think most reds would benefit from this. Though when in a cleanskin store the other day there was a wine that had lost pretty much everything after being open a few hours not even in a decanter. When a fresh bottle was opened it had an amazing nose. Real earthy and peppery but it blew off so quickly. I'd grab a few of the $15 - $20 buys that the local store has and try a few but I would assume most will show some good development over a few hours.

[lostincanberra]

Something like a Huntington Estate could be instructive (and you may find them in Dubbo).

Just take a bit of care with temperature. Dubbo in December? I'd rather be in SD.

lostincanberra

[Maximus]

Mike,

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but will you be venturing over this side of the Tasman? Be good to catch up again if you are.

[griff]

For research I went into the local Liquorland in Perth. They have a 2004 Wolf Blass McLaren Shiraz that looks like being able to fulfill your requirments. Seems to get decent reviews and was pretty nice at a tasting a while back. Just hope it isn't overpriced there.

cheers

Carl

[Daryl Douglas]

For research I went into the local Liquorland in Perth. They have a 2004 Wolf Blass McLaren Shiraz that looks like being able to fulfill your requirments. Seems to get decent reviews and was pretty nice at a tasting a while back. Just hope it isn't overpriced there.

cheers

Carl

I'll back that suggestion, nice wine. RRP here ~A$40 (I bought 6 for half that, 2 left). It does round out with a bit of air time, shows very typical McLaren Vale chocky and dark fruits character. The oak was apparent but not overdone when I last tried it a few times late last year and early this. If you can't find the 04, the 05 is at least as good according to Brian (RB) and Halliday:

"Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005
Multi-layered, powerful and focused wine; blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice; carries the alcohol (and the oak) with ease. Screwcap 15° alc. RATING 94 DRINK 2029"

I assume Dubbo will be pretty hot when you're there so I'd recommend storing any red in the fridge when you arrive, pouring smallish serves and allowing the wine to lose the chill and breathe in the glass.

Cheers

daz

Edit: Others I highly recommend are O'Leary Walker Clare/McLaren Vale shiraz 05 (~$20) and Polleters cab 05 for (~$30) if you can find them. Metala White Label Langhorne Creek shiraz/cab 05 is a nice wine for ~$15, regional in character, it does have healthy acid that softens with time in the glass. Or you could check this out:

http://www.oldplains.com/Wines_Members.htm

A very good trio, particularly the Old Vines Reserve blend

[griff]

Oh and I forgot to mention that while spending a couple of weeks there a few years ago I found that Mudgee really wasn't THAT far away An easy day trip for sure.

cheers

Carl

[KMP]

Mike,

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but will you be venturing over this side of the Tasman? Be good to catch up again if you are.

Max,

Sorry flying direct to and from Sydney. Of course you are most welcome if you venture east across the Pacific!

Mike

[KMP]

For research I went into the local Liquorland in Perth. They have a 2004 Wolf Blass McLaren Shiraz that looks like being able to fulfill your requirments. Seems to get decent reviews and was pretty nice at a tasting a while back. Just hope it isn't overpriced there.

cheers

Carl

I'll back that suggestion, nice wine. RRP here ~A$40 (I bought 6 for half that, 2 left). It does round out with a bit of air time, shows very typical McLaren Vale chocky and dark fruits character. The oak was apparent but not overdone when I last tried it a few times late last year and early this. If you can't find the 04, the 05 is at least as good according to Brian (RB) and Halliday:

"Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005
Multi-layered, powerful and focused wine; blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice; carries the alcohol (and the oak) with ease. Screwcap 15° alc. RATING 94 DRINK 2029"

I assume Dubbo will be pretty hot when you're there so I'd recommend storing any red in the fridge when you arrive, pouring smallish serves and allowing the wine to lose the chill and breathe in the glass.

Cheers

daz

Edit: Others I highly recommend are O'Leary Walker Clare/McLaren Vale shiraz 05 (~$20) and Polleters cab 05 for (~$30) if you can find them. Metala White Label Langhorne Creek shiraz/cab 05 is a nice wine for ~$15, regional in character, it does have healthy acid that softens with time in the glass. Or you could check this out:

http://www.oldplains.com/Wines_Members.htm

A very good trio, particularly the Old Vines Reserve blend

Dubbo boy, born and bred, so the heat is well known to me. Fortunatey the wine I have in Dubbo is in an underground cellar a relative had built as part of their home.

Oh and I forgot to mention that while spending a couple of weeks there a few years ago I found that Mudgee really wasn't THAT far away An easy day trip for sure.

cheers

Carl

I'm sure we'll do at least one wine region - probably even try out the Dubbo wineries to see if they are making anything drinkable! Have not visited Orange region for a few years, might try that.

Mike