Greenock Estate GE Shiraz 2017
G 93
Always good to see wines given time in the cellar before release. Under cork, this is a quintessential big, bold, ripe and rich Barossa Shiraz. If that is your thing, get on board. The alcohol is hefty, but the power and richness of fruit is there to balance. The colour here is a deep red/maroon, and the nose opens with toasty oak. There is chocolate, leather, warm earth, kirsch, dry herbs and liquorice all evident. A wine of good intensity and complexity with impressive length and still showing some freshness. Enjoy this over the next 10 years. Drink now–2035 Head Old Vine Grenache 2023 G 93 Medium-deep colour, Bubble gum, cola, strawberry aromas with perfumed camomile notes. Chalky textured wine with vibrant primary fruits and lacy but leafy firm textures. Some cola notes at the finish. Sturdy and bright with very good depth and length. Will probably settle down over time. Drink now–2036
Head RED Shiraz 2023
G 93
Attractive crimson. Spices, herbs, red fruits, strawberries and redcurrants. There is also a touch of aniseed, leather and warm earth. Very much classic Shiraz, especially Barossa Shiraz. The wine is fresh, still very youthful, well balanced with silty tannins and juicy acidity and a very persistent finish. Delicious drinking but there would be nothing wrong with giving the wine a brief chill prior to opening. Drink now–2033 Heirloom Vineyards Shiraz 2023 G 93 The team source the fruit for this Barossa Shiraz from their best vineyards. It undergoes bunch sorting before fermentation, basket pressing and maturation in both American and French oak barriques for a year and a half. For me, the colour is an intense inky maroon. For the team, it is that of the dress bow-tie Count Dracula would wear to the Vampire Annual Dinner following their AGM. I’ll have to take their word for that, but I am curious to know if it would be a different colour if the dinner did not follow the AGM. No matter, and possibly a question for another day. The nose is delightful evocative with plums, mulberries, graphite, liquorice and fruitcake notes. There is a hint of austerity in the structure, but this soon evolves into generosity of flavours. The wine exhibits firm tannins on a lengthy finish and good acidity runs throughout. A 10-year proposition. Drink now–2035
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The Vintage Journal
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