2009 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz

In 2000 Domaines Tatiarra was established by Nick Chlebnikowski & Bill Spring, two highly motivated and creative individuals with a passion to create a benchmark Australian Shiraz. Sadly, both of these founding members are no longer with us. However, there remains a driving force amongst the Tatiarra shareholders to continue what they started. James Halliday said of Tatiarra’s first vintage, "It is hard to imagine a more auspicious start to a new venture". Move on a few years and the 2009 Cambrian Shiraz highlights what a fundamentally different operation this is. Winemaker Ben Riggs is more excited about the 2009 Cambrian Shiraz than any other release (including the already legendary 'Caravan of Dreams'). Tatiarra is repositioning its Cambrian label to gear up for slightly higher production volumes as the new vineyards have matured and come on stream, and established vineyards are now producing higher quality fruit on a more consistent basis.

A superb expression of Heathcote Shiraz that redefines the district's benchmarks – again- it makes for a remarkable value when tasted against some of the district's 2011 wines at similar or higher prices. A much more challenging and variable vintage than 2009, many of the 2011’s are dilute and characterless. This offer is in no way an indication that Tatiarra is about to start to stretch the quality of its wines. In fact, the 2013 vintage is anticipated to be Tatiarra’s best yet, and there'll be more to go around. It will please many to note that the 2009 vintage of Tatiarra’s Cambrian Shiraz is the first to be bottled with a Stelvin seal. In comparison to previous vintages, it also spent a slightly longer period of time in barrel (just over 18 months) with extended bottle age before release (12 months).

Tasting Note….
Totally opaque youthful inky black colour with deep dark purple black purple hue showing Tatiarra’s renown colour saturation. Superb nose with perfumed aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum followed by some dark chocolate, vanillin confectionary and spice. The palate is a concentrate of flavour, yet not bulky or over the top – quite the contrary - energetic with a rock like structure, delivering an explosive flavour profile of liquorice, ripe blackberry, black cherry and dark plum that fills every corner of the mouth. A touch of vanillin oak and very persistent blackpepper follows on the back palate. Very fine grained, almost velvet like tannins with a dry structured finish and mouthfeel. Magnificent depth with exceptionally long aftertaste of liquorice, ripe blackberry, black cherry, meaty spice like characters and blackpepper. A powerful example of Heathcote Shiraz displaying fabulous balance between its rock like masculine personality and the fleshy, exuberant richness of its fruit.
Cellar 6-8 years plus (2019-2021+)
Alc 15.5%