Sunday, June 6, 2010

Angove's 2004 Vineyard Select McLaren Vale Shiraz (Australia)

Over the weekend I had plenty of wine, which I have talked about in the past, like the Cono Sur Viognier (2009), Nyarai Cellars 2007 Cabernet Merlot, Applewood's Mac Meade and Coyote's Run Black Paw Chardonnay (2008).  But tonight's wine was brand new to my palate, the Angove's 2004 Vineyard Select McLaren Vale Shiraz ... an impressive wine with an equally impressive name.  Angove's was established in 1886 and when this wine was released, in 2006, the bottle marked their 120th Anniversary (proudly proclaimed on the label).  After 120 years of winemaking you'd hope they do it right, and I can report firsthand that they do.  A wine like this just takes time.  At first the wine smelled of heat, although the wine was cool in the mouth, hot with pepper and alcohol (14.5%).  A decanter and 20 minutes took care of that problem revealing a 6 year old wine with some really intense flavour.  Lots of pepper and spice at first, but soon dark fruit emerged along with some semi-sweet dark chocolate. A real treat for a Sunday night dinner with the fam.

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