Grosset Polish Hill 2008 & Seppelt Mt Ida Shiraz 2006

These were both consumed with some good, but not great Mexican from Sydney’s Vera Cruz – regularly christened as Sydney’s Best Mexican, yet it seemed to have slipped somewhat lately. Change of ownership?

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2008
Whilst many 2008 Eden Rieslings seem to have hit the high notes in 2008, several of the Clare examples are just that little bit to ripe to be classic – like the 08 Petaluma for example, and for my mind, this Polish Hill.

Its quite yellow considering its relative age, with a nose that is utterly bound up in itself, revealing intense citrus fruit & floral fragrance but little else. The palate is similarly intense & powerful with a blocky, super charged palate of limey fruit & firm acidity. Its impressively big, ripe and tightly structured with a core of real power, but it also lacks a litte delicacy.

Time may well settle this out, but it will still be a very good wine and not the classic it is made out be. 18

Seppelt Mt Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2006
Deep dark red colour, with an almost tawny edge. The nose is darkly meaty & very ripe, stweed ripe even, with a distinctive Heathcotish Eucalypt & flashes of mint & menthol. The palate is similarly ripe and firm, with a hard & tannic edge that is heavily extracted and stewed. Hard work at present, this feels like it may never resolve. 16

BTW: Whilst I sound like a truly grumpy bastard, I had a great night and the Grosset was a near ideal match for the rich, spicy Mexican.