2001 Best's Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz

This is one of the Great Wines of the world, and now clearly established as a major investment piece. Produced from old vines, planted in 1866, this wine is a national treasure. Production is minuscule and limited to around 350 cases per year when produced - the wine is only made in great years, with no Thomson being produced from the 1993, 1999 and 2000 vintages. The Best’s Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz has established itself as one of Australia’s great shiraz alongside the likes of Henschke Hill of Grace, Penfolds Grange Hermitage and Clarendon Hills Astralis.

Retasted 25/07/2013
The colour of this wine is holding up very well displaying a totally opaque black dark red core with a dark red black hue. Both perfumed and alluring the nose reveals scents of blackberry and liquorice followed by some subtle vanillin oak, confectionary and spice. Concentrated yet very refined the palate marries flavour intensity and elegance delivering a seamless experience of liquorice and blackberry over some vanillin confectionary followed by subtle leather and spice. Velvet smooth perfectly integrated tannins. Excellent persistence with long aftertaste of liquorice, blackberry, vanillin oak, confectionary and subtle leather. Drinking well now this wine can still be cellared a further 5-6 years (2013-2017)
Alc 13.5%

First Tasted 02/09/2004
Totally opaque black crimson purple colour, with purple hue. Superb nose – a wonderful sniff of violets, cedar and spice followed by liquorice allsorts and blood plum. The palate follows the nose with superb length and structure. Refined flavours of blackberry, spice and liquorice allsorts followed by a very spicy white and black pepper back palate. Fine grained tannins, perfect balance, followed by an aftertaste that lasts for several minutes.
Cellar 8-10 Years (2012-2014)
Alc/Vol: 14.0%
97 Points