Tasting Notes - Yarra Valley Showcase - Shiraz

Overall
Interestingly I thought there was more emphasis placed on shiraz / syrah than cabernet at this tasting. In my opinion the focus needs to be on both, and maybe less on pinot. Shiraz could be a real growth story here as the Valley strikes a very good middle ground b/w the oft-one dimensional SA hot climate style and the marginal cool climate styles from Macedon / Sunbury. The winemakers present were (are) very bullish on this medium climate style and the opportunities it represents.

Seville Estate 'Old Vine Reserve' 2005
35yr old vines, 19 months oak.
Dark blood red / blackberry in colour. Dancing, energetic nose loaded with mild pepper and spice, very identifiable as a cool climate style. Not unlike pinot noir. Great mouthful; quite simple and sweet early, but then builds with acid, mild funk and spice.

Yering Station 'Reserve' 2005
Mild berries, nervy acid, talcum powder (riesling-like). Not your typical shiraz aromas but works ok. Berry weight seems light, plenty of acid and supporting tannin; good presence but not moorish.

Punt Road 2005 (Recommended)
Coldstream fruit, 22yr old vines, 2tns / acre.
Just a fraction darker that the Seville. Pepper and mild oak toast, some sweetness; a friendly nose. Dirty fruits, a faint lick of brett; long finish driven by spice. Young and lively.

Giant Steps 'Millers Vineyard' 2005
12yr old fruit with 5% viognier.
Very dark red, tending to black. Fruit is a touch dull (over-ripe and dead?), maybe the oak handling is a touch heavy. Palate structure is tight with a fair bit of spicy oak. Clearly will live a while but I question whether the fruit can live through the oak.

DeBortolio 2005 (Recommended)
3% viognier, 100% French oak, 35% new oak.
Aromatic red berries early; simple but it works well. Straightforward palate; red fruits and zingy acid. Kinda simple but very effective.

Delas Cote Rotie 'La Landonne' 2004 (Recommended)
The Rhone ring-in. Lifted perfumed nose; very lively, violets, fluffy, very attractive and probably the best aromas of the 2 days. All this character flows through quite well to the palate although the fruit weight is greater than expected. Pepper kicks in mid-palate with a big funky tang. Some pinot-like character as well.

Yarra Yering 'Underhill' 2005 (Recommended)
Small % of marsanne.
Dark red centre and a fraction lighter at the rim. Dirty, old-fashioned nose; meaty, peppery, euro-like. Shows good complexity. Touches of old wood; really quite good. Front palate is loaded with sweet fruit; quite powerful, soft tannins and acid drives a long finish. Mild brett note. Despite the overt ripeness this is good fun.

Coldstream Hills 2005 (Recommended)
Tiny portion of viognier, 40% new oak.
Low key fruit nose; spice, settled. Has good presence. Big fruit flavours on palate, very bright; simple, very ripe yet not heavy; needs time. I expect this will settle nicely.

Oakridge 2005 (Recommended)
Young vines, 1% viognier, dry grown.
Hard to pick any defining character off the nose; red berries perhaps? Very clean and straightforward. Very well balanced and settled palate with medium strength red fruits. Awesome balance right through the palate. A simple wine that is exceptionally well made.

Greenpoint 2005 (Recommended)
100% de-stemmed, 1.5% viognier
Again a mild nose; plums lurk, subtle yet very good. Sweet early in the palate but quickly builds with funky bretty notes (mild) and a firming structure as tannins kick in.