Fox Creek recent releases

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the pleasure of a Fox Creek wines so it was good to have a very small catchup here. Personally, I like the Reserve Cabernet best, which sadly wasn’t tasted today.

Fox Creek Chardonnay 2008 (Mclaren Vale, SA)
Proving that Mclaren Vale is more than just big reds, this was actually quite tasty – slightly withdrawn from what I expected, sitting in the pineapple and grapefruit spectrum, with a quite dry and crisp palate. Its a reasonably straight forward Chardonnay, but its got polish, balance and no trace of overripeness in sight. 16.9

Fox Creek Duet Cabernet Merlot 2006 (Mclaren Vale, SA)
A newish addition to the range (at least I haven’t tried it before) this is all Mclaren Vale and quite drinkable, if a bit of a victim of the vintage. Mulberry, spice, moccha & something a bit twiggy on the nose, the palate shows a bit of the 2006 vintage heat, but the blackcurrant fruit is still up to the task. Tasty, simple & recognisably Mclaren Vale stuff at a fair price. 16.4

Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2005 (Mclaren Vale, SA)
The only thing that challenges this wine is excess – too much alcohol, oak and extract are the only constraints on this wines success, at least in my book. Thankfully it doesn’t dip too far in any direction this time around, but I’m still reminded why I haven’t got any of this in the cellar – its just not my style of wine.
It starts with a nose that has a trace of animale, nutty gameyness to it. Low level brett perhaps, but its not intrusive, though you could argue its a bit of a threat to the purity.
No flow onto the palate however, which is unmistakeably Fox Creek Shiraz – absolutely saturated with extract, it flows with quite raw, powerful plum and meat flavours, finishing with chewy tannins that are of both the oak and fruit variety. The length is, again, lingering, with the chew hanging around long after the liquid has gone. Lots to enjoy then for lovers of raw power, so sure to satisfy the Fox Creek drinker.
For me its perhaps a bit ungainly, overripe and that gameyness I can only see getting stronger, however, ultimately, I don’t think I’m the target market here, so you should keep that in mind with the score. 17