As we write this, 2014 is actually the current release of this Shiraz, which says something about Chapoutier’s commitment here. And though it’s not the sort of Shiraz made for the American wine press, it has Suckling’s top score for this wine yet, or any of the Chapoutier Australians, at 93 points:
Bright and focused shiraz with berry, asphalt and basil-leaf aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Firm and polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows tightness and focus. Soft texture. Drink now or hold.
From an organically farmed hillside vineyard that’s a natural amphitheater for vines, not unlike Cornas and Cote-Rotie. Which more than just about any Australian Shiraz, this resembles.
Interestingly, like many of Chapoutier’s top wines, the label here is also in Braille.
Best price anywhere on this brilliant example of top Victorian Shiraz through a Northern Rhone prism.
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From the winery:
A complex nose of black fruits with hints of tobacco. Aromas of black fruits and liquorice with supple and delicate tannins.
The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. A small proportion of the wine is aged in tanks to preserve the freshness of the flavors.
