Little needs to be said about Clare Valley winery. It is an Australian wine icon, producing powerfully charged, savoury wines that sit outside the Australian norm. Some use the descriptor ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’, which isn’t far from the mark. Powerful as Wendouree may be, its wines carry a sense of elegance at the same time.
Two decades from vintage, 1997 Wendouree Shiraz is near fully mature. This particular wine was initially rather reticent, but opened up with air. Although not particularly complex, it is elegantly composed, with attractive secondary earthy and ferrous notes. On this evidence, Wendouree 1997’s are well and truly good to go.
1997 WENDOUREE SHIRAZProducer: Wendouree
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
ABV: 13.6%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 29 July 2017
Tasting Note:
Deep ruby. Takes at least an hour to open up – quite reticent initially. Earth, ferrous oxide, ashphalt, dark berry fruit comes through. A tad over medium bodied. Smooth and seamless – tannins fully resolved. Ferrous notes come through on the palate together with dry earth and black fruit. Can’t see this wine improving further. Very enjoyable if not super complex.
Score: 17/20
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