Robert Oatley Ovens Valley Shiraz 2008 (Alpine Valleys, Vic)
14.5%, Screwcap Luxe, $35
Source: Sample
www.robertoatley.com.au

Robert Oatley Ovens Valley Shiraz Must not spill it on the keyboard

This is drawn from the renowned Mayfield vineyard at Porepunkah, Victoria (just down the road from fellow wine scribe Campbell Mattinson actually) in an area known as the Ovens Valley, though it is categorised from a wine perspective as being in the ‘Alpine Valleys’ region. It’s an area that was the source of the original – and highly celebrated – Wynns Oven Valley reds of 20 years ago, so it carries with it a long forgotten history of seriously good Shiraz.

I’ve had this open for 48 hrs now, having taken a glass every night, and I’m happy to report that it delivers on the promise. It kicks off with a musky, slightly stinky, peppery cool climate nose of proper form. Lots of brambly plum fruit in there too. Richly berried, medium weight palate is full and lively, if slightly minty, with a dry and cool minty edge, finishing just a little warm and dessicated but still nice and long.

It’s ultimately a well made, juicy – yet still savoury – medium weight Shiraz of some style. Good stuff indeed. 18/93