Kirrihill Tullymore Shiraz 2010 (Clare, SA)
14.5%, Screwcap, $22
Source: Sample
www.kirrihillwines.com.au
Ideally situated in the ‘Eastern Hills’ Clare sub-district (only a theoretical sub-district at this stage), Kirrihill has always made solid, good value wines. The only challenge is that they’ve never quite been able to rise above that state, the wines drinkable if somewhat unexciting.
Much of it comes down to process methinks, the bulk of the wines made from grapes grown on vineyards with higher yields, said grapes picked by machines, the juice then fermented in big, rough roto-fermenters and finally bottled in large quantities. The resultant wines are packed full of flavour and very well priced, yet ultimately just missing some love.
Still, that doesn’t mean bad drinks, particularly amongst the top tier wines such as this one. Lots of juicy red plum fruit here, with sweet chocolate icecream oak and that open, Mint-Slice-over-stewed-plum regional combo. The palate is rich, mid-weight and thick, the fruit easy, plump and slightly dried, the rough tannins rounding everything out with a quick thump before a shortish finish.
Driven by its mid palate, this is quite easy drinking and serviceable stuff. I just wish it tasted more like it had been made by people.
Drink: Now – 2017
Score: 16.5/20, 88/100
Would I buy it?: No.
You might also like
5 Comments
Really well summed up. I liked the Cabernet quite a bit more but this failed to interest me. As you say, not bad – perhaps ok value – but not what wine is about to me.
You are wise JP – tasted Cab and Shz together and much preferred the Cab.
I have to disagree guys. I just bought a case of the shiraz for 'every day' use. I paid $12 a bottle. At that price, I think it's an exceptional wine. It's never going to be top shelf, but for the money you'd be hard pressed (pardon the pun) finding another Australian wine with the complexity and character of this wine. I even think that if cared for correctly, it might even age well too. I can't think of another $12 wine that comes close. I'd put it in the same league as Dalwhinnie The hut ($25) or even the Kilikanoon Killermans runs ($18) if you need to compare it to another Clare Valley wine.
Glad you liked! The new 2012 is out nowish and I believe and is apparently a step up again.
Didn't get to taste the 2010 tully shiraz. But have just had the 2012 and I'm very impressed. Opened and decanted at 2pm. Poured my first one at 5pm, and very impressed! Nose wasn't omg outstanding, and I thought 'here we go…boring' after reading your 2010 review. But after the nose, the tannin structure (mouth washing, just great), flavour wise excellent, juicy black fruits, some nice cedar oak, and good length. Nose grows as well over the next couple of hours, with very fresh minty cedary black berry fruit. I had an Amon-Ra 2010 yesterday, and yes I know totally different styles, but I'm enjoying the complexity of this far more tonight.
So Andrew, go and grab one of these, because I reckon you'll be impressed! For $20 (DM's) it's the best in that price range I've had for a while. I will definitely be getting more, and I think decanting very early is essential (ie over 2 hours), as it is with most wines I've been drinking lately including whites!