Granite Hills, Shiraz, Victoria

Cork in really good shape. Pours a lovely transparent red, no real sign of bricking here. Looks the colour of a young Pinot. Obviously showing some signs of age on the nose, but more white truffle, white pepper, mushrooms, sage, violets, that sort of thing. Fruit is a little faded but this is still hanging on and has ample vitality and richness to make it enjoyable. Not at all heavy or porty like a lot of other aged aussie reds. …

14,5% alcohol. Almost fully opaque black ruby color. Very dark-toned, brooding and quite toasty nose with oak-driven aromas of cocoa, blackberry marmalade, some mint chocolate, a little bit of mocha latte, light plummy tones and a hint of sweet baking spices. The wine is ripe, sweet-toned and full-bodied on the palate with rather dense mouthfeel and pretty woody flavors of peppery spice, ripe blackberries, some extracted woody bitterness, light plummy tones, a little bit of oaky chocolate and mocha latte, …

Good stuff and the pick of the current release reds. Balanced mid-strength style that is pretty and fragrant early. Again a little bland mid-palate but will have no problem seeing out the decade.