2017 Wild Duck Creek Estate Springflat Shiraz

Matured in a mixture of French and American oak hogsheads for 22 months, 45% of which were new. Impenetrable pitch black in colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Heady liquorice, blackberry and dark plum aromas rise from the glass trailed by black cherries, vanillin cedar, light earth and spicy fennel. Rich, flamboyant and opulently textured, the palate is flooded with concentrated blackberry, dark plum and liquorice fruit which in comparison to recent vintages has a relatively elegant feel. Elements of toasty vanillin cedar, faint earthy fennel and spice are also present. Finishes with good freshness, velvety tannins and a long supple aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15.9%

Other Reviews…..
This wine has been produced since 1991, the original Wild Duck Creek wine. I tasted back to 2001 recently, which was pretty interesting as I often catch myself saying ‘wines like this don’t age so drink them pretty young’, and I am mostly wrong, here. More on that later.
Warm berries, liquorice, dark chocolate scents. Choc-liquorice flavours, smooth-as texture, luscious, supple, seductive in its way. The velvety flow barely disturbed by any tannin or acid but holds a full yet noted shape – and long as can be. Ripe berry and plummy fruit, aniseed faintly, clove and cinnamon spice too. Bold wine, holds well, and long will it age…
Drink 2019-2035.
95 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front