Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2009 (McLaren Vale, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $85
Source: Sample
www.coriole.com
The top wine in the Coriole tree and typically a long lived beast. Sourced from the original dry-grown 1919 plantings, this spends 18 months in French oak and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Icon Shiraz boxes ticked.
It looks a little liquered and dehydrated this vintage, yet that is complemented by an extra degree of concentration. I’m just picturing tiny little berries on old vines, the Willunga escarpment in the distant background, the beach just down the road. Vale Shiraz to the max. Tastes it too – deep plum fruit, the firm skin tannins (those tiny berries make for a more formidable skin:juice ratio which means more tannins) just adding to the concentration.
Ultimately this Coriole tastes like a proper old vine McLaren vale Shiraz, the structure and form all authentic stuff. It’s just a fraction drying and warm, but the heart is true.
Drink: 2013-2025+
Score: 17.5/20 91/100+
Would I buy it? Only as an older wine. Value not quite there for the moment.
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3 Comments
This note reminds me I have a single bottle of the 1998 tucked away in a dark place. I used to buy a lot of Coriole wines when I first started drinking McLaren Vale Shiraz. not so much anymore but their newsletter always grabs my attention probably for the amount of Italian varietals they do. I've never had a bottle of the Lloyd though and it will be interesting to see how it has developed and how it compares to your note on the 2009.
Cheers
Dave Webster
I have a 1995 tucked in the wine fridge. Any thoughts on if it's a good idea to keep it for 3 more years or whether I'm getting to the end of it's useful life and need to drink it as a 'matter of urgency'?
Cheers,
Don
Nice wine the 95 – I think it should still be in fine form, despite the vintage's lowly reputation. Drink now or over the next 8 or so years methinks.