Chateau Pato 2003 Old Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz Sept 05

Only 180 dozen bottles of this wine has been made (from bought in fruit.) The winery was started in 1981 by David Paterson and is now run by full-time by David’s youngest son, Nick. Nick has worked at Tyrrells as an assistant winemaker, has had experience at Domaine Chandon, has completed a vintage in Italy and prior to moving into this venture full-time, was the winemaker at Wandin Valley Estate.

 

Sealed under Stelvin, the bouquet was initially a little stinky and a touch reductive but that blew off quickly. Varnished oak characters were soon overtaken by some attractive chocolate and plummy fruit but there were also flinty notes and a touch of horsehair. Nicely-balanced, this mid-weight sits nicely in the mouth and has the fruit doing all the talking. Well backed by unobtrusive tannins, the mulberry, chocolate and plum flavours together with a touch of steel and earthy mushroom characters finish with good persistence. Rated as Agreeable with ** for value (at a cost $25 from cellar door;) those who are not adverse to a little bit of Hunter sweaty saddle (Brett) would probably rate it much higher.