Thomas Wines DJV Shiraz 2011 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
13%, Screwcap, $30
Source: Sample
www.thomaswines.com.au
Always an odd wine this is. Placed up against Thommo’s other reds, it’s very different indeed. Unsurprising given the 12% co-fermented Semillon verjuice, which turns it into something closer to the Hunter Shiraz style of yore (much less concentrated).
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It’s still the lesser wine in the Thomas lineup for mine – less purple, more dilute, slightly tart and without that wonderful silken texture of the other 2011 Hunter reds. The more I drink of this, however, the more I appreciate that green apple acidity, which makes this quite lip-smacking and vibrant. Is it convincing though? I’m not quite sure…
Drink: 2013-2023+
Score: 16.8/20, 89/100
Would I buy it? Not quite.
7 Comments
Liked this even less than you AG. Have enjoyed a previous release and have gone on record stating that. But the Sem verjuice here seems out of kilter. Was very surprised to see one major reviewer put it at 94 points alongside the 2011 Kiss. I like debate and differing opinions but I'm still thrown by that one..
perhaps the 12% sem juice was a little too much for the shiraz
Too much verjuice for sure. On the topic, think Shiraz Sem blends can work? The idea has merit, if for natural acidity alone…
Oh and apparently Tyrrell's use old vine Treb traditionally for this purpose. Not as much now, but in the days of yore, the raised acidity of Trebb was an important part of the Hunter 'Burgundy' style.
Yep, I reckon it can work – and has worked before for Thommo. He was the one who told me about the Treb blends in Hunter history. Just don't think it has worked here.
That's right, the '07 DJV was an absolute winner. Wonder if anything has changed in Thommo's approach since then?
– Jeff G
I think the Sem percentage has gone up in recent vintages (to the detriment of the drinkability methinks).