2001 Shearwater Shiraz (Barossa Valley)

[Drew]

I could have posted this under Best Values but not knowing the availability decided to post here. For all you Parkerites, this one's for you. If it's been no surprise, I like big, bad, Aussie shiraz. On opening this beauty chocolate caramel leapded from the bottle. Dark/black purple, it hurled scents of vanilla, blackberry, spice, and chocolate caramel. Like flavors with creamy vanilla, licorise and tar adding complexity. This is a big ol' Aussie fruit bomb that finishes looong and is not for the faint of heart. I can't imagine what food to pair it with. 13.9% Alc/vol. $10.

Bucko, the wood is there in "copious quantities", to over use a Parker term, but it's creamed wood. This bottle seemed balanced and there's plenty of fruit to handle the oak.

Drew