Leconfield Sparkling Shiraz

This is by far the best bottle so far, with some really good aged characteristics and some still-present berry and savoury earth. The palette is balanced and textural with none of the heat or tannin weight of the previous bottles. Very good.

I think this is pretty much as developed as it's going to get now. Everything is pretty mellow and while the oak is dominant, there is a splash of berry to counter it. There is also a lick of Asian spices that works quite well with the big alcohol. The palette is chewy, with a good balance of sweet fruit and acid. The bubbles are still in good weight, but the finish is quite short.

Quite an oaky nose with some secondary forest fruit characteristics. The palette has lost most of its fizz, but there are some sweet red fruits mixed with the spicy oak and a sour cherry finish. The acidity is about right, but drink up.

Alas, I think these might have been left a little too long; they were bought in early 2005. There are some interesting secondary characteristics, but I can't help thinking this wine would be better off with some more young, fruity components which are now missing. The nose is still pretty interesting - some dark berries, and spicy oak with nice aged characteristic - but the palette is one dimensional; the acidity and tannins being out of balance. There is also …