1998 Balnaves Coonawarra Shiraz

Australian Shiraz has a great affinity for American oak, and is a highly successful combination that is recognised internationally, however, some winemakers prefer French oak, which moves the wine into a different flavour profile, at Balnaves they've opted for a bit of both with this wine. The 1998 Shiraz has spent 20 months in a combination of 65% American and 35% in French oak, adding to the complexity. Outstanding purple crimson, black colour. Toasted oak, liquorice, plum and strewed fruit aromas. Excellent palate weight with mouthfilling flavours of blackberry, spice, liquorice and blackpepper. Fine grained tannins, excellent balance with long aftertaste of liquorice, vanilla, and earth. Cellar 5-8 years.

RATING 90/100

VALUE XXXX/5