Meerea Park “Hell Hole” Shiraz 2003

I have tasted this wine now 3 times. Each time more impressive than the last. The total production is 4 hogsheads (300L) - for those mathmatically challenged that equates to just 128 cases. Aged in for 24 months in 50% new French oak and made with old vine fruit from the Howard vineyard.

A very deep black purple colour. It smells fantastic offering up aromas of blackberry and cassis, new leather, licorice, smokehouse and vanilla. On the palate a very dense wine that is packed with smooth ripe tannins and flavours of dark cherry, blackberry and savoury smoky oak. Although it is thick, muscular and concentrated it is also beautifully balanced and very sophisticated. Finishes very long and dry. In many ways it reminds of a top flight Northern Rhone…a mini La La if you like. This is benchmark Australian shiraz from a classic Hunter vintage. Buy it. You must.

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