The Auswine Forum

1999 Burra Burra Lone Star Shiraz
Ripe redcurrants and dried blackcurrants in an old-fashioned, but very clean style. Heaps of tarry darkness underneath and some crushed ants. Very, very tight upon opening with very fine, strong tannin. Needs more time.

On the second day the wine opens up beautifully. It definitely has a Wendouree stamp upon it. Luckily it is not as tight and the tannins aren't as fierce as it takes 4 days for a Wendouree of this age to open up. Although this time has seen 18-months of new French oak, it has been judged absolutely sensationally, especially impressive as I am oak adverse. It is well in the background. Superb balance. The wine still finishes very dry on this second day and the old-fashioned flavours are carried very, very well. Excellent wine. At least equal to the marvellous 1997. My next bottle will not be opened for another 5 years.

I have been an interested follower of this wine since tasting the 1997 a few years ago. I now have bottles going back to the first vintage, 1995. For those unfamiliar with this wine, its fruit comes from a vineyard near the township of Burra, 20 kilometres north-east of Clare. The vineyard is owned by Spencer George (of Ashton Hill's notoriety) but I presume this wine is now made by his son, Stephen George, although I have not confirmed this.

Kind regards,
Adair

It is made by Stephen George, and personally I think it's a tremendously underrated wine. Stephen refers to the Burra area as a "badlands" landscape - apparaently it's dry and barren and largely featureless. The vineyard crops drastically low, naturally, as a result.

Cm.

What a coincidence. This label was being discussed as an aside at lunch yesterday.

I think the 1999 is the best of the line, superior to the 1998. This strangely is in keeping with my opinion of Burra's closest neighbour Clare where I feel many of the best labels go against the general vintage opinion and the 99s outdo the much vaunted 98s.

Ones that come to mind are Oracle, Armagh, Clos Clare, both Classic Clares.

I wonder if the winemakers hold the same opinion at this point in time?

Thanks for the confirmation Campbell. Your reply reminded me that you did a vertical a little while ago and I just found your write up in the Arpil 2004 edition. It seems that you too were impressed with the 1997 (94/100) and that 1999 was just behind (92/100).

As I obviously just drank the 1999, I was most interested in your tasting note. You started with "Tight..." Absolutely!
... and ended with the line "...but the glossy, deductive, seamless weave of fruit and oak is quite something." Poetic and true!

Also, although I did not mention it above, the wine's fruit did slightly open into the plummy spectrum on the second day. There is a heap of fruit there to be revealed with time. I suspect the bottle you had was tasted over time or decanted for a while by Ashton Hill's beforehand.

Just out of interest, did you (or 707) try the 1995? I only have one bottle and have not tried it.

Regards,
Adair

Adair, 1997 was the first vintage I saw and thought it was very good.

Opened another bottle of this (1999) on the weekend:

Thick skinned, ripe red berries, blackcurrant, eucalypt and port nuances. Tight but very enjoyable structure. Long. No holes. Excellent once again. Classic and unique wine. I need to stop drinking them as they will age sensationally and deserve a higher rating. Drank this bottle with my father and he was enchanted by the wine.

Kind regards,
Adair

Hi Adair
You are correct.
Stephen George of Ashton Hills fame makes the wine
Cheers
GeoffG

Thanks for the TN Adair,

I must open one of these when the weather gets colder. Stephen told me that he likes these to take away on camping trips to drink around the campfire when 10 years old (i.e. 2009 for this one). Excellent value for $. I don't think it will be long before all his reds start to increase in price, once the true quality of his wines get more acclaim. Even better, he's gone screwcap with all (I think) wines from 2003 onwards (including pinot!). A quiet achiever who really gets my wholehearted support.

Can't google a website does anyone know of one or a contact number?
Thanks in advance,

BenK wrote:Can't google a website does anyone know of one or a contact number?
Thanks in advance,

No website is correct. Just call Stephen George directly on 08 8390 1243 and give him your details for the mailing list. He could also fax you the current newsletter as well, I guess (ask him what he still has left in stock, of course, as most sell out between newsletters). As a suggestion, a mixed case is the way I usually get to know a vineyard quickly and efficiently.