1996 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Shiraz

[David Lole]

Dense, impenetrable crimsom/black colour. Enormous viscosity (legs) on the inside of the glass, dripping down ever so slowly. Smells of freshly sawn cedar, vanillin, old leather and some spicy black fruit in the background. Touch of VA. The palate is quite thick, viscous, lumpy and soupy with pronounced meaty, bitter chocolate and cedarwood flavours, grippy tannins on a medium/long, slightly bitter finish. Tastes a trifle concocted, lacks sufficient fruit to match the oak, displays very little finesse or charm and is too alcoholic for its' own good May come around a bit with time, but I wouldn't hold my breath! Rated Acceptable, just.

Will leave the remnants overnight and report back, in due course, if there's any improvement.

A major disappointment.

[TORB]

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has tried this wine recently as the previous vintage are bloody good. Was it a slightly off bottle or is it heading south?

[Paul T]

..and will be cracking it for my wifes 30th..am very intererested to try as i have heard great things about this wine. It will be tried alongside a 1974 St Henri from Penfolds Museum recorked and examined in 1997 by J Duvalle. My boss drank one recently and said it was at its peak now..will post on those wines in two weeks

PT

[David Lole]

Ric,
Thanks for your reply. Tried again tonight, the wine has softened somewhat and is at least, Agreeable, possibly, Recommended, but the overall impressions, as detailed, last evening, remain as stated.

I pulled the '94, '95 & 96 for a mini-vertical yesterday, but couldn't go any further after this wine's showing last evening. Renee didn't help its' cause tonight, either!