WTN: Various Australian Shiraz

[futronic]

I hosted our monthly wine tasting last Tuesday and the theme was Australian Shiraz. As opposed to the usual cheese plates, I made beef satay marinated in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame seed oil and garlic.

2001 Kirralaa Bushvine Shiraz

This is one of two Mondavi/Rosemount joint efforts. Mondavi does the Kirralaa winemaking in Australia, Rosemount does the Talomas (sister brand) winemaking in California. Dark ruby/purple colour; intense. Coats walls, lots of slow fat legs. Aromas of raspberry, chocolate, jammy cassis, and vanilla. Medium-full bodied with dark crushed fruit, and mint and a very disappointing, virtually non-existant finish that falls on its face. Lots up front, nothing in the back. 86 points.

1999 Stanley Brothers 'John Hancock' Shiraz

Opaque purple, loads of thing legs. Aromas of alcohol, pepper, barnyard, black fruits, mint. A concentrated nose. Full-bodied with vanilla, cassis, raspberry, and overall good fruit. Dry finish ~ 30 seconds with peppery notes. 88 points

2000 Eldredge Blue Chip Shiraz

Dark ruby red. Aromas of vanilla, blackberry, blueberry, mocha, and a very slight vegetal note that's not unpleasant at all. Full bodied with mint, cassis, and raspberry. Dry lingering finish, 30-40s. 90 points and consensus WOTN.

2001 Daringa Cellars 'Peter Dennis' Shiraz

Opaque dark purple with teardrop legs. Raspberry, cassis, vanilla, and cherries on the nose. Full-bodied with cassis, blueberry and more dark fruit. Clean wine with well-integrated tannins. 20-30s finish. Drink now. 89 points.

2000 Diamond Ridge Shiraz

Dark ruby red. Aromas cranberry and brio. Medium-full bodied with pepper, and red fruits (currant). Tannic with a short finish. 83 points.

2000 Angove's Classic Reserve Shiraz

Medium-ruby colour. Alcoholic nose with cherries and medicinal notes. Doesn't look or smell like shiraz. Light-medium bodied. Pepper and mint on the palate with plenty of tannin. Thin finish. An overall non-descript wine that could be from anywhere. 81 points.

2000 Howard Park Madfish Shiraz

Medium-dark ruby red with thin legs. Aromas of currant, raspberry, cherry, grilled meat, vanilla, and smoke. Full-bodied with pepper, cherry, and currant on the palate. Kind of short on the finish, but still tasty. Almost like a pinot noir, not shiraz. 87 points.