Dukes 2002 Shiraz Aug 04

Aged in 100% Hungarian oak, the wine has been sealed in Stelvin. Initially, the bouquet started off very stinky but as it blew off, it improved to show soft fruit and spice. Tannins are smooth and the acid is crisp and lively. Very spicy with pepper, the soft fruit is dominated by the acid and the wine needs a couple of years to settle down. Medium-weight, the consistency is supple and the structure solid adding up to a wine with good persistance and power that should be all right with time. Rated as Agreeable with *** for value, the rating should go up a notch as acid softens.

Note, the winery now has a new winemaker, Mike Garland - ex Plantagenet.