Pepper Tree Tallavera Shiraz 2010 (Hunter Valley, NSW)

14.5%, Screwcap, $45
Source: Sample
www.peppertreewines.com.au

Jim Chatto, Pepper Tree Chief Winemaker, believes that the secret to crafting good Shiraz in the stop-start 2010 Hunter vintage was about picking early. Indeed most of the Pepper Tree red grapes were in before my birthday (5th February) which was something of a record I believe. Intriguing to see this single vineyard Shiraz (drawn from the Tallavera vineyard up Mount View way next to Bistro Molines) look so ripe and powerful regardless.

Masculine Shiraz it is. Almost atypically masculine even, the flavours big and plummy and beefy, the tannins firm and the acidity taut. I quite like the penetration actually, the weight and dry tannins indicating some high quality fruit. I’d like to see a fraction more delicacy, though that perhaps isn’t what the vintage is going to yield.

A weighty Hunter Shiraz with much scope for improvement in the cellar.

Drink: 2013-2023+
Score:17.5/91+
Would I buy it? I do prefer the ’11 Hunter reds, though this does have appeal. In other words I would personally hang out for the ’11 even if I like this.