Penfolds Wines
Shiraz
Magill, South Australia
2003
14.5%
$39.98 -- Twin Liquors, Austin, TX
Color: Inky red
Nose: Blackberry jam, smoke, eucalyptus
Body: Full and creamy
Front: Cassis
Middle: Raspberry, mint
Back: Chocolate, dusty tannins, clove
Burns clean?:
Cap: Cork
This is a beautifully structured, rich, but subtle wine. It needs a bit of time open, to be sure, and will cellar for a goodly while longer. It feels a little closed, to me, compared to the last time I had it, so the 2003 may have gone a bit dormant. Then again, I paired it with chili, the spice of which might have prejudiced the vino. In the grand scheme of things, this is a much more elegant, French-style Syrah than one often gets (at least if one drinks the Syrahs that Caveat Emptyer has reviewed!) from Australia. Dave Brubeck was on the stereo tonight--a good match for the wine.
