[SOLD-OUT] Greenock Creek Alices Shiraz 2014

These older vines are like the senior sages teasing the Casey's young'uns through the fence. I can hear them whispering 'Grasshopper.' But the sages aren't showing too much dignity this year. This Alices is ravishing. This 2014 class is heady with aniseed, licorice and fennel edge. Think really fresh soft black licorice and you're close.

Then I smell rosemary and dark chocolate and blackberry liqueur. Juniper and dates and dried figs. Cassia and nutmeg. Getting close to the panforte flavours of the vineyard, but still a bit unblended and boisterous. However all that is thistledown and gossamer on the breeze. Below that fluff, we hit a deep glowering well of framboise and cassis, Blackberry Nip, Cherry Heering, Kahlua ... how the crew got so much wickedness in here without going over fifteen alcohols beats me.

Compared to the 2013 wine, and even the Casey's 2014, this has yet to really finish dressing. Like the hair's a mess. If you can wait a decade, you will. Partybeast here will make you. And then you'll have something a bit more presentable to lean on. With some finishing school and five years meditation this might become the best Alices yet. Just personally, however, I sometimes prefer the encounters more fresh and sponto like this. More urgent fru-fru than finesse

Philip White, 2016

Country:

Australia

Region:

SA- Barossa Valley

Variety:

Wine Red - Shiraz

Size:

750mL