Made from fruit sourced from 50+ year old estate vines, deep dark red in the glass with not a lot of fade at the meniscus.
Blackberries dominate the bouquet and cedary oak spiked with spices, you can detect a sweetness in the redolent wafts which must be produced by the powerful 2019 vintage fruits.
The mouthfeel is unctuous with a slight oiliness an immediate surge of sweet fruit carried by blackberries and blueberries coates your palate with a smooth lusciousness which is texturally glycerine like and energised by black pepper, cardamon and hints of cinnamon, a little savouriness is also evident, just enough to almost offset the sweet fruit effect and there is some liquorice background taste . There is a reasonable amount of cedary oak but the 2019 fruit weight can easily handle oak treatment, some lovely chalky tannins emerge late on the palate and the acid is a balanced component of this immensely enjoyable wine. Underpinning the entire experience but with a rather delicate expression is a mineral taste that for me just adds another dimension to the enjoyment. A medium to full bodied shiraz from the artistry of Ray Costanzo, I haven’t had a straight shiraz from Golden Grove for quite a few years and this one makes me wonder why. It is great drinking now but will cellar for around 10+ years.
Tasted: Saturday 25th September, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $28
Suggested Drinking Window: now to 2035
Winemaker: Ray Costanzo
Fruit Source: Estate
Whole Bunch: 15%
Visit Website
