2006 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz

I just tried this today and thought it was a fantastic Shiraz for the money. Unlike many of the Shiraz produced out of Australia, this wine is not the huge fruit bomb you typically find out of the land down under. It is actually a bit more old worldish in style offering a bit of spice and earth layered within the dark berry flavors. The Lodge Hill vineyard is one of the highest vineyards in the Clare Valley, where they can grow Riesling on the cooler, less sunny side and Shiraz on the warmer side, ensuring both cool nights and warm days for the Shiraz portion of the vineyard. The color is deep and dark in the glass with big, ripe and juicy aromas of plum, black cherry and dark chocolate. The high alcohol and silky tannins make the palate balance perfectly between the huge fruit flavors and peppery spice.
$19/750ml

Rating: 9.0 out of 10