My plan was to taste as many as I could (spitting all wines) and after 2 1/2 hours of intense tasting I had reached 136. I was quite exhausted and my palate was slightly numbed. There was a focus on SA wines, but there were also some entries from WA, VIC and NSW. I came quite early, which turned out to be a good move as the tasting area filled up pretty quickly, stalling my progress. After wine 136 I was quite satisfied. My impression is that the general quality of the wines was very good. I had none that were crap. On the other hand, there weren't a lot that were mindblowing either (but a lot that were outstanding). The tasting was also a very good tasting exercise! I think I understand my Shiraz preferences better now. I had a tendency to prefer cooler climate styles, but still love the generous Barossa and McLaren Vale styles as long as the oak isn't to dominating (which it often is IMO). It get's a bit sickening tasting wine after wine that shows smokey bacon and fumes of burnt charcoal. When finished tasting my top five were:
1. 2006 Cape Jaffa "La Lune" Shiraz (bio-dynamic)
I was stunned by the purity of this wine and the very interesting flavours showing minerality and graphite tendencies.
2. 2006 Clarendon Hills Liandra Syrah
Again, a fantastic purity and a stunning wine.
3. 2006 Hentley Farm "The Beast"
Massive beast of a Barossa Shiraz.
4. 2006 Mitolo Savitar Shiraz
Excellent stuff!
5. The Colonial Estate Mungo Park Shiraz
Another stunning Barossa Shiraz.
I also very much enjoyed 2 Mates (best value IMO!), Turkey Flat, Majella, Kaesler, Brick Kiln, Heathvale, Turners Crossing (The Cut), Paxton (esp. the "Jones Block"), D'Arenberg (The Dead Arm), Kalleske (the Greenock Shiraz was stunning), Tapestry (esp. "The Vincent"), Brands (Stentifords Reserve), Tin Shed (Single Wire), Bleasdale (Generations), Olssen (great Clare Valley stuff!!!), Yelland & Papps, Guichen Bay Vineyards, Woodstock, Torzi Matthews (esp the '06 Frost Dodger), Serafino (esp The Sharktooth), Kays Amery, Tatachilla, Zema Estate (the Family Reserve was excellent), Mt. Langhi Ghiran (all excellent and stylistically different to much of the other shirazes on tasting), Lengs & Cooter (esp the Reserve) and Coats (interesting style and a very enjoyable fortified).
Now...how to get those teeth shiny white again.....
cheers