The Auswine Forum

Bowen Estate Shiraz 2001
I should have known better really. Rather unimpressive piece of work. Dried out and thin, dominated by several good shakes of white pepper and spice with a shallow, watery palate. This got better over time and took on a rather meaty character but an overall sense of bitterness and harshness meant the bottle remained unfinished to the last. Nothing on the 96 and 98s of this which I rather liked.

I went off the Bowens in the mid 90s. Prior to that, they were one of my favourites. Not sure what went wrong.

My note from last year.

22/3/07 - delicious, smooth, at peak but will hold for some time
I hope you were just unlucky and my other two will be as good.

I also tried this wine last year and thought it had a lot going for it, but was still too young, thanks to the acidity still showing too strongly. Definitely not weak.