The Brunette 2010
Shiraz
Tasting Notes
2010 HEAD ‘The Brunette’ Syrah, Single Vineyard, Moppa (300 cases) – The powerfully built 2010 vintage wines have taken more time than usual to show their terroir or sense of place. In particular this wine will need even more time to unfold. The usual partial whole bunch fermentation has added another layer/dimension of tannins to the wine and a little more toast during elevage in oak has helped incorporate them nicely. This wine will suit protein and fatty meats; especially Lamb. Colour is deep red to black. The nose shows; raspberry, plum, redskin lollies, soy sauce and Asian spices with some ferrous earth characters. The palate entry and structure dwarfs the red to black fruits. A plump mid-palate follows and dense chewy stem tannins taper nicely on the long finish. Put in the cellar. Unfined & Unfiltered. Alc 13.8%. Drink 2013-2030+.
From the Moppa sub-region of the Barossa and I forget how many cases were made. I think about 200 it said. Less than the Blonde anyway. I put both wines in front of my wife (who’s blonde) and she wasn’t overly enthusiastic about either of them, though preferred The Brunette, at which point I snorted and said ‘you’ve got rocks in your head’ or similar. I prefer The Blonde now, but maybe not later. So there you have it. Gentlemen, and I use the term advisedly, do prefer blondes (and Claret). Raw meat, with a touch of stalk and pepper – firmer textural tannin – a bit of grip and grunt here on a medium to full bodied frame. It has dark fruit (boysenberry and blueberry) with ferrous edges, but given time puffs out some violet tinged perfume too. Shapely, slightly keen, acidity but a lot of depth with it. Altogether more serious than The Blonde, and a wine that needs some time to settle and come together to show its best. Rated : 95+ PointsGary Walsh - Wine Front
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