Availability: BCLDB and private wine stores
Cost: $84.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 26th, 2011
Tasting Notes: Vines ranging in age from 50-120 years old produce the fruit for this world icon of Australian Shiraz. Such old vines yield minuscule quantities of grapes (about a half-tonne per acre) but the grapes that do grow contain intense concentration. 100% new oak (80% French, 20% American) is used during élevage (15 months) to add structure and complexity, but the key to this wine is the careful selection of the fruit - only the best of the best is used to preserve the elegance and refinement one expects from the Amon-Ra.
To write that this wine is complex is an understatement. The nose starts with ripe cherry, floral, white pepper, cinnamon, orange zest and warm oak aromas and then, given ample time to open-up, later evolves into a rich milk chocolate seductress. The dry palate follows with layers of prominent dark cherry, bright red fruit, leather, tobacco and toasted oak flavours. Near-perfect balance has been achieved by managing extraction creating rounded tannins that confidently support the massive concentration on the palate but never out-shine the fruit characters. The finish is very long with lingering spice and oak notes. Medium-plus acidity will mellow with another two years plus of aging and then the sky's the limit for this amazing wine. Drink 2013-2025+.
- Liam Carrier (with Hugh Carter) ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca
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