2005 Warrabilla Limited Release Parola's Shiraz

Established in 1991 Warrabilla has quickly established a cult following and is widely regarded as Rutherglen’s leading producer of big blockbuster reds. Australian wine writer JAMES HALLIDAY seems to agree, giving the winery a five star rating and describes the trio of Durif, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz as “quintessential examples of Rutherglen red wine at its best.”

Along with low yielding high quality fruit, winemaker Andrew Sutherland-Smith employs traditional winemaking techniques to fashion these superbly structured vinuous monuments. Rutherglen’s sunny climate and unique terroir naturally suits the development of massive flavours, particularly from Shiraz & Durif. However, whilst these varieties offer extraordinary colour, they can also present unripe tannins which can play havoc with the wines balance. High alcohol levels are required to achieve physiological ripeness and maximum flavour profiles, yet at the same time 'porty' reds are to be avoided (a seemingly paradoxical situation finding parallels with the big reds from Heathcote.) Andrew consistently gets the equation right – whilst the wines are massive and display very ripe fruit they still manage to maintain balance - there is no sense of portiness or jaminess. The 2005’s are another outstanding collection from Warrabilla.

The wine has spent 10 months in New American Oak Puncheons. Totally opaque black colour with black purple cling to the glass walls. The nose delivers a wonderfully ripe, perfumed sniff. Aroma of vanilla, blackberry, black pepper and plum. The palate delivers a monumental flavour profile - a blockbuster, with flavours of vanilla, liquorice all sorts and blackberry. Fine grained dryish, but perfectly balanced tannins. Exceptionally long and powerful aftertaste of spice, vanilla, blackberry and liquorice all sorts.
Cellar 3-4 years (2009-2010)
Alc/Vol: 16.5%

Other Reviews...
Black fruits and vanilla oak; these wines have few parallels anywhere in the world.  You have to look at the alcohol in the context of food in the same way as tannins in Italian red wines.
Rating 94
Drink 2020
"James Halliday - 2007 Australian Wine Companion"