All too often, Australian Shiraz is stereotyped as being monolithic, alcoholic and lacking elegance, certainly not a wine to enjoy with refined food. While this image may well be correct of a select number of wines from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, the reality is somewhat different.
The 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz from Andrew Thomas Wines is evidence, if ever needed, that Australian Shiraz can be elegant, refined and individual. One wouldn’t confuse it with something from the northern Rhone; it’s unashamedly Hunter Valley. What it does possess is wonderful clarity and fruit purity, modest alcohol, elegance and genuine refinement.
How will it age? Who can say for sure. Suffice to say, there is sufficient fruit intensity, fine grained tannins and fresh acidity for it to be cellared with confidence for at least 15 years. At under $35 per bottle, it is extremely well priced, given the inherent quality.
2009 SWEETWATER SHIRAZ
Producer: Andrew Thomas Wines
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2009
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $34.99
Date tasted: 28 January 2012
Tasting Note:
Deep magenta. Youthful nose of cherry, mulberry, blackberry and liquorice, lavender/lilac. Dry, medium bodied, elegant and savoury, sour cherries and dark plums, liquorice and star anise. Acidity is bright and vibrant lending refreshment value and making the wine very food friendly, even at this early point in its evolution. There is sufficient structure here for the wine to develop in bottle for 15 or more years.
Score: 18/20
The 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz from Andrew Thomas Wines is evidence, if ever needed, that Australian Shiraz can be elegant, refined and individual. One wouldn’t confuse it with something from the northern Rhone; it’s unashamedly Hunter Valley. What it does possess is wonderful clarity and fruit purity, modest alcohol, elegance and genuine refinement.
How will it age? Who can say for sure. Suffice to say, there is sufficient fruit intensity, fine grained tannins and fresh acidity for it to be cellared with confidence for at least 15 years. At under $35 per bottle, it is extremely well priced, given the inherent quality.
2009 SWEETWATER SHIRAZProducer: Andrew Thomas Wines
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 2009
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $34.99
Date tasted: 28 January 2012
Tasting Note:
Deep magenta. Youthful nose of cherry, mulberry, blackberry and liquorice, lavender/lilac. Dry, medium bodied, elegant and savoury, sour cherries and dark plums, liquorice and star anise. Acidity is bright and vibrant lending refreshment value and making the wine very food friendly, even at this early point in its evolution. There is sufficient structure here for the wine to develop in bottle for 15 or more years.
Score: 18/20
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