Henry’s Drive Vignerons 2009 Morse Code Shiraz - 86pts

Henry’s Drive Vignerons 2009 Morse Code Shiraz (Padthaway) South Australia - Australia

Availability: Widely available at private and BCLDB stores
Cost: $14
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: November 10th, 2011

Tasting Notes: At first glance, just another brand-driven Aussie Shiraz. Upon further investigation one discovers a tasty, fruit-driven, ripe and extracted, but not over done, Aussie Shiraz that over delivers for the price with nice mixed-berry, eucalyptus and licorice characters. A touch of sweetness resides on the tart, yet mild-mannered palate but rest assured we're miles from Yellowtail territory here. Enjoy as a satisfying Tuesday night treat or let it accompany you to your next BBQ. Drink now-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Henry's Drive Vignerons 2006 Dead Letter Office - 90pts

Henry's Drive Vignerons 2006 Dead Letter Office (South Australia) Australia

Availability: Widely available

Cost: $30

Alcohol: 15%

Date Tasted: March 8th, 2010

Tasting Notes: A powerful, yet refined wine made of 100% Shiraz sourced and blended, in fine Australian tradition, from two top districts: McLaren Vale and Padthawa (67% & 33% respectively). The resulting wine offers brooding aromas of intense, but not jammy, red and black berries, vanilla, fine oak grain, cherries and light pepper. The creamy-textured palate is a tad hot, but the alcohol is well masked by the cool-berry fruit flavours and pepper-spice. This does not affect the long and well-balanced finish.

The Dead Letter Office is a bit pricey (in Canada, especially), but you do get a lot of refined flavour for the cost. It serves well as a decent entry into the upper-echelon of fine Australian Shiraz which can get expensive quickly but offer so much more than their $10-15 counter-parts.

This Shiraz is ready to drink now and has the quality acid & tannins to last another 3-4 years. Pair with a peppercorn encrusted steak or grilled lamb. Drink now through 2013.
 - LC