Austins Shiraz 2010

Source: Sample
www.austinswines.com.au

It’s normally Pinot that takes my fancy in Geelong, though wines like this remind that Geelong can, occasionally, be shit-hot Shiraz country.

Speaking of Geelong, this Shiraz is laden with typical Geelong pepper and spice – as acknowledged twice in one paragraph on the back label. The nose, particularly, is somewhat driven by (partly whole bunch derived) black pepper, clove and a spoonful of bacon bits. Sexy.

It’s a bittersweet, savoury sort of Shiraz too, switching between slightly heavy richer mud cake fruit and quite firm, bitter tannins, everytying punctuated by a slick of berry sweetness to finish.

You can really grab onto that stemmy finish actually – no shirking away from structure! I like that chew really, its so utterly winey and dry and grown up. Perhaps a fraction too stemmy for some, but it’s not hard or unripe, just long and real.

Yes. A proper cool climate Victorian Shiraz.

Drink: 2013-2020+
Score: 18/20, 93/100
Would I buy it? Yes