Andrew Thomas, DJV Shiraz, Hunter Valley

This is always an interesting blend from Thommo. Sometimes hit and miss per vintage. The 5% semillon gives it a floral lift ala Northern Rhone. Seems to have become a bit more pronounced with age to the point of being obscure. One glass is interesting, but not much more. Share with friends for something different.

Quite advanced; all composty and with almost a hint of VA. Minimal tannin, ripe jammy fruit, not too sweet, but with a rotting character. Medium acid, spiky, savoury mouthfeel, medium-bodied, with a short-medium finish. Very much ready to drink.

Pop and poured. Clear, medium density purple, turning garnet and showing the first signs of age. Still a good nose of ripe cherries and red fruits. Medium bodied, quite a bit of fruit has gone since last time making way to some secondary characters of tobacco ash and dirt. Oak and tannins have resolved well into the wine allowing for a smooth medium length finish. 2 bottles left and if you are after fruit first Shiraz, I'd drink up, otherwise …

{screwcap, 13%} Pepper and spice. Still fairly youthful, barely medium-bodied, crackling with acid and cherry-red fruit. Lowish dusty tannins; just enough drying character to keep it savoury and interesting. Short/medium finish. OK wine, perhaps a bit priey for what it is.

Ruby red medium bodied look to it. Red cherries, strawberries, and some dusty/dirt upon pouring, swirled and the aromas continued out of the glass, the fruit was not jammy at all. Medium bodied, and the mouth was similar to the nose, however this bottle seemed less acidic to previous bottles, but in a good way. Tannins and oak are present, but not overpowering anything, in fact everything felt in line with not one characteristic dominating. Overall a very well integrated …

Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley) : {screwcap, 13%, A$35} A jubey and spicy nose. Smoky oak blends with sweet small berry fruit flavours; there are medium dusty tannins resulting. Medium-bodied, it has a tangy spiced finish of medium length, all carried by medium/high acid. Part of the explanation for that might be the fact it was (according to the CD lady) blended with 5% semillon. Hunter Rotie, I suppose. I thought this was good for the price; …