I caught up with a mate yesterday. Admittedly, it had been a while mainly due to us both taking different paths in our lives a few years back but we always kept in touch in one way or another. Anyway, we got talking and naturally wine came up in the conversation and, well, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather! He said, and I quote, “I don’t like shiraz anymore, it’s just too strong for me.” Now I accept that tastes change over time but, as he reeled off the wines he “used to drink”, I had to tell him that things have changed since he last had a shiraz. As it turns out, the timing of our catch up was perfect. He and another mate are riding their motorcycles to New South Wales soon for one reason and one reason only; wine. The Hunter Valley is one of their destinations and now Gartelmann Wines is on their list of places to visit. I suggested he try all of their wines, but I specifically recommended he try this shiraz. It’ll bring him back to the ‘shiraz’ fold for sure.
Definitely plums and blackberries on the nose with just a slight minty aroma. Rich and dense flavours on the palate. Dark fruits, blackcurrants are the fruits to look out for with something like plum pudding/black forest cake (but nowhere near as sweet) in there too and the oak has been very well played. Tannins are a touch influential but thankfully the fruit is juicy and bold and this just adds to the nice long finish. A really good wine!
Region: Mudgee, NSW Price: $30 Source: Sample thanks to Gartelmann Wines and Define Wine
Words from a Wine Glass 