TN: 1996 Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz

markg · Post by **markg** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:02 pm

A wonderful, highly defined nose of rich fruits/meat and liquorice with tantalising coffee/chocolate undercurrants. The palate is absolutely gorgeous with cleary defined/distinct layers of flavour, deep rich chocolate/mocha and plum flavours wind thier way through the perfectly integrated tannins and a superbly long, pleasing finish. A superb wine.

jayhawker · Post by **jayhawker** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:27 pm

I had this wine about 4 months ago. I thought it was just stunning - I just kept mumbling to myself, "damn this is good." I didn't even want to eat the food it was so good. I thought it was one of the best wines I'd ever tasted. Of course, compared to most of you folks, I haven't tasted that many wines!

There was just something about it - a refinement or nuance - that I just don't perceive in many other shiraz. With that said, perhaps you experts can finish this sentence:

"If you like the 1996 Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, you'll definitely like the ___________________."

Or better yet:

"If you like the 1996 Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, you'll definitely like the ___________________ , a wine that is half the price!"

markg · Post by **markg** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:35 pm

jayhawker wrote:There was just something about it - a refinement or nuance - that I just don't perceive in many other shiraz.

Yes,yes,yes, there is definately something about this wine, I agree, its really hard to pin down, I kept thinking candy stripe, as in the deliniation of the layers of flavour...

Rory · Post by **Rory** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:50 pm

Mark,
couldn't agree more.

Like so many '96 Barossa and Coonawarra...a gem.

Rory

KMP · Post by **KMP** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:35 am

Tasted the 2000 last Thursday. Initially several thought it a bit "funky" but the wine was otherwise excellent. The "funk" was an unusual aroma, that I thought somewhat similar to stewed cabbage. Didn't stop people coming back for more.

Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:45 am

So, does anyone have any suggestions of wines that are stylistically similar, and that are available here in the States?

markg · Post by **markg** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:19 am

Anonymous wrote:So, does anyone have any suggestions of wines that are stylistically similar, and that are available here in the States?

I would think you might enjoy some of the classic Australian wines from the early and mid 90's like Hardys Eileen Hardy, Henschke Cyril Henschke, Houghton Jack Mann, Rosemount Mountain Blue etc....

707 · Post by **707** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:44 am

Got a six pack of these waiting to be opened so the decision to do so has now been made!

Anyone had a 98 recently?

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:26 pm

A classic. IMO the BEST E&E B.P. ever and the last vintage of Colin Glaetzer. The '98 don't ever come anywhere close...

bacchaebabe · Post by **bacchaebabe** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:18 pm

I've got about 16 of these I've been sitting on for some time (Bought up big when it hit top ten in wine spectator whatever year it was). They must only just be in their drinking window now but I would have though they might still be very young. Any thoughts on the window for those that have just tasted it?

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:40 pm

Chow Chow wrote:A classic. IMO the BEST E&E B.P. ever and the last vintage of Colin Glaetzer. The '98 don't ever come anywhere close...

I thought this was the 1st Tash Mooney wine...as was 97 and 98. Charry oak.
Stuart Bourne 99 - even more charry oak.
Prior to that it was Fiona Donald - 94,95...of the dill/coconut oak school.

I hate most E&E. It is an excercise in clumsy winemaking.

GW

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:33 pm

Come on Gary, don't hold back, say what you REALLY think

Brucer · Post by **Brucer** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:54 pm

I thought the wine was overoaked, like most E&E.
Bruce

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:53 pm

Last night I took Marion and Lynne out for dinner for my belated birthday celebration and we had a 96 Black Pepper and a 94 Lawson.

The oak in the BP was 'restrained' in comparison to the Lawson.

Both were lovely, but the BP was better. Started off with a bottle of the old lable Billy Goat Bubbles, better than the new stuff, and we finished off with my last bottle of Bullers Rare Muscat and was sensational with an excellent cheese platter.

I am feeling much better now that I have had an afternoon siesta.

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 4:08 pm

Well if you could pick any one wine even worse than the E&E it would have to be that minty Lawsons rubbish. I would rather smell vicks vaporub.

At least you had some nice fizz and Muscat.

GW

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 4:20 pm

And I dare saythat Vics Vapour Rub would rather smell you too.

Interestingly enough, this Lawson was much more eucalypt than minty which was surprising. And in some ways you're right, the Lawson was the weakest wine of the night, so it was a pretty good night. :wink:

Craig(NZ). · Post by **Craig(NZ).** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:49 am

wots the hit up on the lawsons for?
good value(these days) hasnt moved in price for 10 years basically.
my wifes favourite wine.

it might have a minty edge but it aint mouth wash. just seems to be known that way so everyone says it is.

not the most elegant of shiraz but we dont buy australia for elegance do we?