Hello; The AAB gang had a syrah/shiraz tasting Saturday. They were presented blindly, wrapped in alu foil. There were very little difference in colors, just barely the two first were slightly less purplish than the rest: all fairly young wnes. Number one had a toasted, caco nose, with hints of licorice which grew more prominent in the glass over the first half hour. Notes of tobacco and a certain earthiness. On the palate, sweetness in the attack, low on acidity, fruits and berries, and some length. Overall impression was a good Oz "come on join the party" Shiraz.
2001 Brown Bros Victoria Estate
Second had more of an old world style, with French oak on the nose, animal notes, mineral (granit) and preserved foie gras, also blue stencilled paper. On the palate a bit sparse and restrained, higher in acidity, at first gave hope of evolution but more or less died in the glass. No my cup of shiraz. Price SEK 100. Klein COnstantia 2001
Next: Fiery, spicey (curry, evenm) and berries on the nose. On palate a bit more strict, mineral, and well strucvtured tannins, possibly with some aging potential (say 5 years) [1] At SEK 80 not bad. Kumkani 2001 Stellenbosch
Now came our own entry (blinding was not 100% ...) Very animal (French urnioir, said our good friend Sten) but Id´rather say veal kidney. A bit perfumed also, once more blue stencilled paper, raw meat, and a haunting whiff of sea weeds. On palate very peppery, with cloves and licorice. EU 14 at producer. Emmanuell Darrnaud Les Trois Chenes.
LAst, a true blue jam pot: bramble jam at high velocity, with fruits and berries (cranberries eg) and a taste of more jam, mixed with licorice. Too much of a muchness. Proved to be same producer as number one, but the 2002 vintage. Price SEK
Cheers
Nils Gustaf
[1] Given my road record, somebody will up and tell me that this is a perfect example of a wine that shouldn´t be drunk until it is at least 25 years old ...