2005 Greenock Creek Apricot Block Shiraz

Re-tasted on 15/5/2015
Totally opaque inky black colour with a deep very dark red black tinged hue. Aromas of ripe black plums and liquorice are followed by fennel, some vanillin cedar and spice. Full bodied, rich ripe black plum, liquorice and ripe blackberry flavours saturate the palate over a backdrop of fennel, dark chocolate, vanillin oak, a touch of leather and spice. Very concentrated and rich with no apparent heat on the finish. Velvet smooth tannins finishing very long with an aftertaste of black plums, liquorice, fennel, vanillin oak, leather and spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc 16.5%

Totally opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue, showing paint like cling to the glass wall. Superb pronounced nose, with flavours of plum, spice and black pepper. The palate is mouthfilling – flavours of plum, spice and black pepper are overlaid dark chocolate and fill the mouth. Fine grained tannins, perfectly balanced. Very long aftertaste of black pepper, blackberry, plum and vanilla. An example of a top Barossa red.
Cellar 4-5 years (2011-2012)
Alc/Vol: 16.5%

Other Reviews.....
Greenock Creek Vineyard & Cellars, owned by Michael and Annabelle Waugh, remains one of South Australia’s iconic wineries. Start with a great terroir, add in old vine material and meticulous winemaking, and end with extraordinary results.

The 2005 Apricot Block Shiraz received the same upbringing as the Alice’s and is a similar glass-coating, opaque purple. An enticing perfume of cedar, scorched earth, pepper, violets, bacon, and blueberry leaps from the glass. A bit more restrained (a mere 15.0% alcohol) than its siblings, it is nevertheless a silky, layered, intensely flavored Shiraz with gobs of fruit and a 60-second finish. It should provide much pleasure from 2012 to 2025.
95 points
Dr Jay Miller - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate