Thorpe wines

[wondersofwine]

Nicole Thorpe was in-store at Carolina Wine Company presenting Thorpe wines (McClaren Vale) Saturday. There will also be a wine dinner with Thorpe wines tomorrow night but I am not attending. Linda Domas is the winemaker at Thorpe and I had already tasted the Vis a Vis (Chardonnay with Viognier). Of the lineup of 2003 wines (and a few 2004 not yet released) my favorite was the 2003 Shiraz. It seemed to have some depth and complexity and future development potential. Nicole Thorpe when asked which vintage she prefered thought the 2004 might age longer but the reds from either vintage would probably benefit from at least short-term cellaring. (I wasn't impressed with their entry-level wines in the "Nymph" series). The 2003 Shiraz I liked was priced at $25.00 Saturday or $17.00 a bottle by the case. Price goes up today since that was a special rate. Production is small. I didn't keep the figures but on some of the wines I think it was 250 cases or 400 cases.
Here is the result on the 2003 Shiraz from the Sydney International Wine Competition in the full-bodied reds category:
Thorpe Wines Shiraz, South Australia 2003
Price $20
Rating 95
Dark plum, black cherry and earthiness are in the middle of the palate. Dark, earthy tar entry followed by complex, dark array of fruit, there are many layers. A very complex red wine.

(I was pleased that the wine I liked best was also the one that received recognition at the Sydney Competition--although they also praised Yellowtail Shiraz)

[robr]

Very interesting. The Aussies are making some outstanding wines. I particularly like the Yellow Tails, and am wondering how long they will remain at such low prices.

[Kcwhippet]

As long as the consumers in the U.S. are willing to buy it. It's really not a bad wine, but it was begun as a reaction to Two Buck Chuck. It was made from excess juice and available only in the U.S. The label was designed as a joke, but the wine has taken off and is a huge seller here. Oh well.