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2008 Mastermind The Rook Shiraz

McLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
$13. 99
Bottle
$167.88 Dozen
Cellar: 1 - 2 Years (2010-2011)
ABV: 14.9%
Closure: Screw Cap

The Mastermind wines are the brainchild of Bruce Clugston, who was also one of those responsible for the launch of the successful Cat Amongst The Pigeons brand. From the outset Clugston has stated that he wants to produce big, joosy, flavour filled wines that over deliver big time. With these inaugural releases he seems to have accomplished just that – these well crafted voluptuous fruit bombs offer excellent value for money. Only time will tell if he can repeat it over a series of vintages and establish a long term brand in the marketplace. No shortcuts have been taken in the production of these wines with fruit being sourced from relatively mature (20 year old vines), low yielding (2.5-3 tonnes per acre) vineyards located in McLaren Vale. The wines are matured in a combination of new and 1 year American oak for a period of 10 months.

The Mastermind wines are rich, thick, exuberant Mollydooker styled reds that could quite easily sell for $20 per bottle.

Vintage Conditions: 2008 was a great year for ripening with a heat wave in mid March. The Willunga vineyard, which makes up 60% of the blend, has a strong coastal influence and with good canopy and water management enabled the viticulturalists to avoid any spike in Baume. The vineyards on the Northern Ridge produced some of the best fruit of the 2008 vintage; the south facing slopes provide a cooler microclimate with some maritime influences which lengthened the ripening period.

Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson mauve hue. Top note of dark chocolate followed by spice and vanilla with a hint of ripe plum. Joosy palate, flavours of dark chocolate, plum, spice and black pepper. Generous mouthfilling flavours. Fine grained tannins. Aftertaste of plum and dark chocolate. Excellent value for those wine lovers that like their reds big and rich.
Cellar 1-2 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 14.9%