TN: Auswine Cleanskin Shiraz # 2 (2000 McLaren Vale)

[Adair]

Auswine Cleanskin Shiraz # 2 (2000 McLaren Vale)

Dark red appearance of good depth.

An intense and layered nose of ripe blackberries and plums with a gamut of sweet spices and cedary oak with hints of ripe capsicum. Excellent nose!

Medium/full bodied. The ripe dark fruits displayed on the nose comprehensively fill the palate and also combine with the sweet spices to offer a fruitcake aspect. However, the palate is not as layered as the nose promises, although the wine continues to build with air time – I have studied this bottle over an hour. Cedar and a hint of ripe capsicum also appears on the palate, way in the background to the primary fruit, although despite being told otherwise, makes me think that there is some Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine. Impressively, the wine continues to build on the palate and sweet spices, toasty oak and a caramel aspect combine with the fruit to provide an interesting and complex finish, quite long but not strong. Excellent oak handling. The mouthfeel is very smooth. There is fine acid backing this wine, noticeable to the educated palate, allowing it to develop in the glass, as mentioned above, very impressively. It will enable the wine to improve over the next year or two. The tannins are ripe and totally unobtrusive hinting at short-medium term drinking. Excellent balance.

Rated Recommended/Highly Recommended, this is a serious wine that definitely provides an above average level of interest and complexity yet has a mouthfeel and structure suitable for early rather than late drinking (not a common combination in this wine bracket as most wines that are reviewed by others as such I find have overripe fruit). Absolutely sensational value at $12 per bottle for the more educated wine drinker. It provides the experience expected of a early $20 wine although not often delivered.

Adair

Note: I purchased a case of this wine. It was not a gift for review.

P.S. After 2 hours, the wine has gained more depth and a stronger finish.

[TORB]

[quote="Adair"] suitable for early rather than late drinking (not a common combination in this wine bracket as most wines that are reviewed by others as such I find have overripe fruit).

Note: I purchased a case of this wine. It was not a gift for review.

[quote]

Adair,

I agree with that over-ripe comment, I am getting sick of tasting prune.

I also purchased it, despite the free tasting sample.