Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008

[Waiters Friend]

I've been a fan of this wine for over a decade now, and in fact have at least a couple of every vintage from 2004 - 2013 (except 2011) in the cellar. I'm also a fan of the higher end Seppelts (Mt Ida and St Peters) but this is a good Monday night wine.

A complex nose of rich plums and dark berries, cloves, toasty oak, and vanilla. The palate opens with a line of acidity, which runs the length of the tongue and further. The rich dark berries flood the palate, supported by moderate but persistent tannins and leading to a medium finish.

This is about elegance rather than power, and shows some balance - a slightly hot palate is my only criticism.

Cheers
Allan

[WAwineguy]

I've got a bunch of these too - it's my wife's "go to" wine!

I dont think they made it in 2011 - have never seen that vintage.

The St Peters is a great wine.

[Waiters Friend]

I dont think they made it in 2011 - have never seen that vintage.

They made it. I just didn't buy it.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Since you guys are regular buyers of the Chalambar, any idea on how the 1998 might be faring these days. It's a bottle I picked up in Australia some years ago.

Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

Since you guys are regular buyers of the Chalambar, any idea on how the 1998 might be faring these days. It's a bottle I picked up in Australia some years ago.

Mahmoud.

Hi Mahmoud. Drink it now and enjoy it. I don't think it is going to get any better.

I know it seems like a 'commercial' wine to have a vertical tasting of, but I have 11 consecutive vintages and am considering inviting some friends to join me in exploring the year by year progression and variation. This is a wine that has been produced since 1953, so it is probably the Great Western equivalent of Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon (1954) - so there is history and stories to be told for both.

Cheers
Allan

[Mahmoud Ali]

Thanks Allen, I will put this on the list of things to pull out of the cellar.

"Commercial" wines are no bad thing if they are well made. At the right age they will often outperform better wines that need more time so I think every wine collector ought to have these types of wines in their collection. More often than not these modest wines turn out to be some of my most memorable experiences.

Mahmoud.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Allen, have you sent the comments about the '76 and '65 Chalambars on this other post?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15058

Mahmoud.

[Waiters Friend]

A complex nose of rich plums and dark berries, cloves, toasty oak, and vanilla. The palate opens with a line of acidity, which runs the length of the tongue and further. The rich dark berries flood the palate, supported by moderate but persistent tannins and leading to a medium finish.

This is about elegance rather than power, and shows some balance - a slightly hot palate is my only criticism.

I tried this again last night. There's been some change in the past couple of years, with the fruit becoming more developed and savoury, and there's a dried herb note that wasn't there before. Oak is still present, but not as vanilla, and tannins and acid have meshed more completely with the wine.

Still plenty of time, I imagine, although further development doesn't necessarily equate to better wine. It depends on how 'aged' you like your wines.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Another bottle bites the dust tonight. Similar notes to last October, but confirmation that it's probably peaking about now. The nose is similar to the 2016 tasting note, with maybe some oregano in addition, but full of interest. The wine has become more savoury again on the palate, and the primary fruit is obviously in decline.

As I said last time, it depends on how 'aged' you like your wine. This is pretty good for my taste.