Dark in color with a nice nose of dark berries. On the mid pallet the wine displays dark berries, and blueberries to match the nose. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice dryness and firm tannins along with some noticeable alcohol. This wine needs some time to breath or a bit of ageing. I would give it an 88-89. Yumm. Sadly little is left in the province 🙁
From the LCBO web site:
TAR & ROSES SHIRAZ 2010 VINTAGES 282731 | 750 mL bottle Price $ 18.60
Made in: Victoria, Australia By: Endeavour Wines Pty Ltd.
Release Date: Aug 18, 2012
14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content: 6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry
Tasting Note
Spectacular Aussie cool-climate Shiraz that says French Syrah more than Oz Shiraz. Aromas of blackberry, white pepper, vanilla and sandalwood are classically on display. Dry, intensely fruity yet astoundingly light on its feet, with a firm tannin grip and pretty acid lift on the mid-palate. This graceful and elegant wine demonstrates perfectly this fresh style of the cooler Victoria region. Perfect for grilled lamb with rosemary and garlic. (VINTAGES panel, June 2012)
From the winery’s web site:
The grapes for this wine came from a combination of vineyards. They were all kept separately during their fermentation and maturation lives. The machine harvested volumes were crushed and de-stemmed into vinimatic fermenters and spun twice a day. After ten days fermentation, during which time the temperature and acid levels were monitored constantly, they were individually pressed to tank using an air bag press. Finally the wine was racked off gross lees and put into barrel to finish malolactic fermentation and mature in a combination of new French and older barriques for 12 months.
12 months in oak with 24% new French oak component.
Alcohol 14.5% pH 3.48 Acid 6.8g/L Sugar <1.0g/L
Deep crimson.
Nose: Intense black cherry aromas coupled with lifted raspberry notes, a compote of summer berries. Supported by hints of vanilla, chocolate and earthy complexity. Palate: Sweet black cherry fruit flavour with chalky cocoa-like chocolatey tannin. This plus good acid and length gives a well balanced palate. Food Pairing: Char grilled lamb cutlets with homemade tomato sauce.
Wine Makers comments: As with previous vintages the wines come from two main vineyards, one off the deep red Cambrian soil while the other comes from tougher more gravelly ground. The first gives us a wine rich, chocolatey and earthy while the other has more high fragrant berry notes with good acid and sweet fruit. The wine that results is our take on Heathcote shiraz.
