Words from a Wine Glass

Cool climate Shiraz is gaining momentum on the Australian landscape of this most widely planted variety.  And why shouldn’t it!  When you get to try this very cool spritely little number, you’ll be looking for more of the same.

Okay, yes I realise it’s only 3 years old but it looks so young in the glass too.  Purple is not my colour (and never will be, sorry) but that is the only colour you’ll get when you pour it.  It’s a definitive sign of just how young this wine is and that it has quite a few years ahead of it.

Aromas are in abundance with this wine.  Dark fruits galore with a nice little herbal touch too.  The youthfulness of this wine is so bleeding obvious when you drink it because of the amount of flavour it gives.  The fruit plays such a calming affect on the subtle cool climate pepper character that shows through too.  I know this might not read well but, it gave me so much more than I expected.  Plenty in fact.  It is delightfully elegant, smooth and generous.  Well done Greg Clack!

www.chainofponds.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia     Price: $35     Source: Tasting

Grampians Shiraz.  It really doesn’t get enough exposure and I certainly haven’t seen much of it here in Hobart.  I have to admit, I was not familiar with Montara wines but, after trying this example, that simply has to change.

First up, the label is not exactly eye catching but, if people give the contents of the bottle a chance, the label becomes a moot point because it deserves some attention.

On the nose I expected it to be red fruits but they seemed a bit darker than that and gee it’s got some nice spiciness to it.  Not overpowering at all just complementary and that’s what it’s like when you drink it too.  Another upside is how juicy it is and the mid palate is afforded some ‘me’ time which is where I get (maybe strangely but a good thing) some plumminess.

The good thing about this wine is, to get some, you don’t have to go ‘panning’ for it at every bottleshop or restaurant.  Get onto the Montara website and do it the easy way.

www.montarawines.com.au

Region: Grampians, Victoria     Price: $25     Source: Wine Show Purchase

The Kennedys may have been farming for about 35 years but are relatively new to the wine scene having planted Shiraz in 2002 and releasing their first vintage in 2005.  Their range of five wines is predominately Shiraz with a Sangiovese thrown into the mix.

Many family wineries name wines after cherished members of the family or as a tribute to a grower or a long time employee.  This one is named after a valued member of the Kennedy family that has been a loyal and honest worker since 1981.  Their 1971 Leyland tray truck.  What a great tribute to something that would normally just get taken for granted!

The first thing I need to set straight is, don’t be fooled by its colour.  It has a lovely bright hue that, yes, shows it’s a young wine.  BUT!  Yep, there’s a but.  Taste it and your thoughts will change.

It’s richer than medium bodied and, I’d like to say black fruits are the main palate ‘pleaser’ but there is blueberry in there too that fills out the palate (for me anyway).  The other thing that may surprise is, and hats off to the winemaker, there is not the obvious white pepper character that can come through (sometimes dominate) in some cool climate wines.  Even the tannins are soft and bit players.  Here, the luscious fruit is the star.

I know I have written about great value Shiraz wines in the past and this one need to be added to that list.  It is indeed a bargain!!

Region: Heathcote, Victoria     Price: $20 (true)     Source: Winery Purchase

www.kennedyvintners.com.au

How many Tasmanians have become Prime Minister of Australia?  I’ve no doubt most of you would have no idea.  If I asked, how many times a Tasmanian Shiraz has won the Jimmy Watson Trophy, everyone would know.  The answer for both questions is exactly the same.  One.

Regardless of the award, I realise that Tasmania will never be as well known for it’s Shiraz as other regions of this great continent but, climate change and all that goes with it could well change the thinking of many.  Even with all these considerations, this Shiraz may change many a view on Tasmania as a Shiraz region.

The first thing that captures you about this wine is the beautiful deep colour.  Take a whiff, have a sip and indulge yourself in the juicy blue fruits, plums and black pepper flavours, all wrapped in a ball of youthful exuberance that just seems to glide into the lovely, smooth, elegant finish.  It paired perfectly with a piece of scotch fillet steak that did not need any sauce thanks to the peppery character of the wine.  How lucky am I?!

Region: Glengarry, Northern Tasmania     Price: $45     Source: Sample

www.greysands.com.au