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1995 Best's Great Western Bin 0 Shiraz

Great Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
$24. 95
Bottle
$299.4 Dozen
Closure: Cork

The Great Western district around Ararat in Victoria produces some of Australia's greatest Shiraz wines and yet there are only 58 ha planted out to the varietal (in the old imperial measure that translates to 145 acres) that is an astonishingly small area given that 6600 ha are now planted in Australia. Whilst the area produces exceptional Shiraz, from a viticultural point of view it would be hard to find a more difficult district to grow grapes. The soils at Great Western are naturally poor - requiring the addition of lime/gypsum to provide sufficient vine vigor. The rainfall is low - 590mm per year. This lack of rainfall also has an impact upon the yields which are considerably reduced. Worse still is the fact that the area is frost prone which can wipe out entire vintages. In spite of the struggle, Shiraz takes on its greatest expression here - all at a price. In 1995 the yields were down by a third and as a consequence the available stocks of the 1995 Thomson and 1995 Bin 0 Shiraz are very limited. Viv Thomson regards the 1995 Thomson Family Shiraz and Bin 0 Shiraz as the Classic Expression of Great Western - wines with a capacity to cellar for up to 20 years.

Vintage conditions were ideal in 1995 with no rain falling in January, February and March allowing the grapes to reach optimum levels of ripeness, once again allowing Viv Thomson to produce another top Bin 0 Shiraz. The Bin 0 Shiraz is produced from vines up to 30 years old and has been matured in American oak pungeons - 20% being new wood.Tasting Notes: Opaque crimson mauve colour. The nose takes half an hour to really open up and then some superb aromas emerge. Liquorice all sorts, vanilla, blackberry and spice provide a sniffing delight. On the palate ripe plum and black pepper flavours dominate with some dark chocolate and spice flavours in the background. Excellent balance with fine but firm tannin structure and very long black pepper, spice and vanilla aftertaste. Cellar 10 - 20 years.