Voss Vineyards Shiraz Ocala

Kind of big for pizza but we made do. Smoky, spicy, well made. Plenty of tannin left.

Rich nose of cigar box and spice with hints of characteristic pepper. Based on earlier notes, this wine has settled down a bit. Balanced, with smooth tannins. Delightful flavor of smoky meat and ripe red fruits. Medium to long finish. Fantastic.

Second bottle consumed...open since 11am, time now is 830pm. Really spicy, peppery thing going on, with fairly overt oak, and earth. Not one dominates over the other. On the palate this wine is full-bodied, clean, expressive smoky, gamey fruit. Took all day for the meaty element to emerge. Delicious. Long finish.

Second vintage, first release - 18 mo. French Oak...super spicy on the nose with crisp, smoky rich red fruits, slight nose of cigar as well...rich on the palate, while retaining all the structure and acidity one might expect from a non-Aussie Syrah. Long on the palate, but youthful. In need of a couple of years to settle. Definite step up over the normale.