Thought it was time to test another one of the 1998s. This wasn't bad (certainly much better than the v poor 98 McCrae Wood and the truly awful Bin 407) but not great.
Elderton Shiraz 1998
Nice dark colour in the glass. Nose giving off a whiff of earth and some mint. In the mouth still quite full bodied and some tannin left. Lingering finish of carob (not chocolate, carob) and some vanilla from that American oak. There is is some fruit in there, which was giving some leathery notes to the finish.
Ok I guess..rather ho-hum. Pleasant enough to drink and not another disapoointing 1998 but no real wow factor. Certainly not a patch on previous aged vintages of this wine I loved like the 1991 and especially the Jimmy Watson Runner up from 1992. I drank my last of that one at 10yrs old and it was a great wine. Going by this bottle, my 1998's won't see 10yrs of age. Drink up, I think this is a good as this is going to get.
Martin