I couldn’t resist having another look at this wine, it’s been a big working week and I needed something special to console me. Across the history of wine production on The Granite Belt there have been just a few straight varietal shiraz wines that have stood out in undeniable excellence and this is one. Some others are the 1995 Ballandean Estate, 2000 Bungawarra, 1995 Preston Peak, 2005 Pyramids Road. I’m sure there are a few more but those are the ones in my palatal memory banks.
A deep dark liquid well is surrounded by a glowing purple perimeter signalling a healthy youthhood and heralding an adult that you know you want to encounter. The nose is still a developing infant but there are abundant black berries and black pepper immediately noticeable, black olives and dark plums emerge with some deep purple fruits and a little vanilla oak.
The palate, even in this very youthful wine is long and complex, revealing more and more layers as it breathes. There are dark plums and black berries, cardamon and black pepper, aniseed/liquorice, chocolate and some jamon serrano with chorizo. The oak is merely a background feature and the tannins are very fine and pencil like but with power as well. The wine is deceptive such is it’s superb structure and balance which creates a long seamless effortless flow along your palate, it is plush and fondling in such a way that it almost hypnotises you into a zone where you know you are really enjoying it but hardly notice the specifics. I guess you could be seduced in the relationship or decide to really pay attention, either way you’re in for an experience.
This is the best straight varietal shiraz to ever come out of Pyramids Road and it is equal with the best that have ever emerged across the region regardless of vintage. If you are lucky enough to have some of these but you only have a few, try one now if you haven’t yet and then open the second in 10 years, the wine will keep evolving over the next 15 years but you could keep it with confidence for decades.
Tasted: Friday 25th June, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: now (if you’re really into primary fruits) to 2040
Winemaker: Warren Smith
Fruit Source: Estate
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