Xanadu Dragon Shiraz & Cabernet Merlot 2005

Xanadu Dragon Shiraz & Cabernet Merlot – both 2005 – (Frankland River & Great Southern, WA) Screwcap, $16 approx

‘Xanadu, Xanadu ooo. In Xanadu’

Damn you Oliva Newton John. I bet the poor souls at Xanadu tire of the references to the song, but you can’t deny how catchy it is, even after all these years.

But back to the wines: I have to confess that its been a while since my last encounter with a Xanadu, though I can clearly remember some top quality, dry and herbaceous Cabernets over the years and these are a very attractive pair of wines.

The Shiraz is purple/red in colour with a fresh nose of spice, red berries and edged with a little volatility. Mildly herbaceous, its an attractive, fresh nose. The palate is leafy, a little stewed berry & quite chewy, but with enough attractive meaty fruit to carry it through. Its not a bad wine for $16 and it tastes like a blend of MR & Great Southern to boot. Good result. 15.8

The Cabernet Merlot is a little more red than the Shiraz and I like it much more – though I’d take a Cabernet over a Shiraz from the West every day of the week. On the nose this is leafy & minty, but backed by some nice roasted fruit. The palate backs this up with some nice pure, slightly over and underripe fruit of cassis and leafy red berry distinction. Its quite a nice wine – varietal, defined and curranty. Bloody good wine for the dollars. 16.8