The wines of Clare Valley stalwart Wendouree are renowned for the ageing ability. Grab a case today (if you can get a hold of any) and don’t touch it for at least 20 years. This credo certainly stands true in most instances. However, the 2000 vintage presented its challenges, not the least cutting yields substantially.
Due to the challenging conditions faced in 2000, some critics projected a drastically shorter drinking window for many of the regions wines, including those of Wendouree. Respected wine writer Jeremy Oliver has the 2000 Wendouree Shiraz down for drinking by 2012 (no drinking window was published for the Shiraz Malbec). While it’s true to some extent that critics drinking windows should be taken with a grain of salt, Mr Oliver is just about on the mark in this case.
On pouring, the 2000 Shiraz Malbec is certainly more transparent in the glass than would ordinarily be the case for a decade old Wendouree. The palate has a lovely savoury quality not often associated with Australian reds, but wait a minute, where’s the tannin? This is smooth as a baby’s backside, velvet in texture, silky and demure. Is this a Wendouree? Yes it is, and it’s a good result for the vintage, likely to develop more complexity with a further 4-5 years in bottle. It’s a good wine, but not one for the ages.
2000 SHIRAZ MALBEC
Producer: Wendouree
Variety: Shiraz Malbec
Vintage: 2000
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
ABV: 13.2%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: N/a
Date tasted: 26 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Crimson, fading slightly toward the rim. Interesting nose of blackberry, plum skins, menthol, liquorice, coconut and charcoal. Dry, medium bodied, satin texture, sour cherry, plum and damson. The palate has an Old World like savoury quality to it. Remarkably soft tannins and very approachable for an 11 year old Wendouree. Nevertheless, the quality shines through. Although accessible now, it should develop further complexity over the next 4-5 years.
Score: 17/20
Due to the challenging conditions faced in 2000, some critics projected a drastically shorter drinking window for many of the regions wines, including those of Wendouree. Respected wine writer Jeremy Oliver has the 2000 Wendouree Shiraz down for drinking by 2012 (no drinking window was published for the Shiraz Malbec). While it’s true to some extent that critics drinking windows should be taken with a grain of salt, Mr Oliver is just about on the mark in this case.
On pouring, the 2000 Shiraz Malbec is certainly more transparent in the glass than would ordinarily be the case for a decade old Wendouree. The palate has a lovely savoury quality not often associated with Australian reds, but wait a minute, where’s the tannin? This is smooth as a baby’s backside, velvet in texture, silky and demure. Is this a Wendouree? Yes it is, and it’s a good result for the vintage, likely to develop more complexity with a further 4-5 years in bottle. It’s a good wine, but not one for the ages.
2000 SHIRAZ MALBEC
Producer: Wendouree
Variety: Shiraz Malbec
Vintage: 2000
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
ABV: 13.2%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: N/a
Date tasted: 26 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Crimson, fading slightly toward the rim. Interesting nose of blackberry, plum skins, menthol, liquorice, coconut and charcoal. Dry, medium bodied, satin texture, sour cherry, plum and damson. The palate has an Old World like savoury quality to it. Remarkably soft tannins and very approachable for an 11 year old Wendouree. Nevertheless, the quality shines through. Although accessible now, it should develop further complexity over the next 4-5 years.
Score: 17/20
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