This Reserve Shiraz from Bleasdale in Langhorne Creek, Australia received 89pts from Parker and 89pts from Wine Spectator,

Tasting Notes

From the sparse 2000 harvest comes this full-bodied and intensely flavored varietal wine. Highlighted by rich spices and a hint of pepper, it has been matured for eighteen months in American hogsheads and barriques.
The sweet fruit palate finishes with very soft tannins – trademark of Langhorne Creek! A wine which will develop rich, chocolaty complexity if given six to eight years in the cellar.

Food Accompaniments

Beef bourguignonne; Beef Curry, mild; Beef Kebab; Beef stew; Beef teriyaki; Beef Wellington; Beef with tomato/red wine sauce; Calves' livers, grilled; Filet mignon; Lamb chops, grilled; Pot roast; Roast beef/prime rib; Steak au poivre; Steak, grilled
Artichoke, boiled/steamed; Asparagus, boiled/steamed;; Eggplant parmesan; Mushrooms, wild sautéed; Tomatoes, baked

Awards, Reviews and other Notes

89pts Robert Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate, #155 10/25/04 "The 2000 Shiraz Reserve boasts complex aromatics of coconut, blackberries, currants, and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, supple-textured flavors with no hard edges suggest consumption over the next 4-5 years."
89pts Wine Spectator, Sep 15, 2004 "Rich in texture, but not heavy, with wonderful plum and cherry fruit shaded with touches of meaty game and tar. The fruit persists against fine tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases made. (HS)"

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker: Michael Potts
Made from mostly older (20-40 year old) vines which are single wire trellis only. (It's only really in the last 20 years there have been significantly more open canopies introduced by different trellis systems.) Yields in 2000 were LOW (around 8 tonnes per hectare), i.e., 30% below average. Dry season producing smaller bunches and more concentration of flavour. This blend is our BEST Shiraz so only the best Shiraz batches, the best drainings and the best oak are used for this flagship wine. American oak hogshead and barriques were used for 18 months. Limited quantities of wine produced, of course.

Chemical Analysis

Price

SKU

Varietal

Alcohol: 14%

$29.99

4485

Shiraz