Tasting Note

                 Sydney Time

           Copyright © Ric Einstein 2009

Flaxman Wines 2007 The Stranger Nov 08

This wine could easily give Jekyll and Hyde a run for its money. When I first tried it, it was okay, but I was struggling to say a lot of good things about it. Don’t misunderstand, there was nothing wrong with the wine but it just wasn’t what I expected from this producer. I wrote the tasting note and when it cam time to type it up the next day, decided to go back for another look. I am glad I did because it had improved dramatically overnight. So if you are drinking it young, decanting for some hours is mandatory, unless you want to be disappointed.

The bouquet seemed to be fruit driven but still very tight, however it did show some Eden Valley cool mint characters, lots of cabernet notes and as it opened, spicy notes emerged. By the next day, it had metamorphosed, and delightful, floral fruit characters were dominant. Initially with loads of fruit intensity, and because of the soft, velvety tannins, the wine seemed like an uncomplicated, easy-drinking drop. Flavours of plum, blackberry, charry oak, aniseed, dried herbs and black pepper completed the package. Overnight that completely changed and the wine improve dramatically. The chary oak had been absorbed to leave pristine fruit that finished with good length, and the structure of the wine was more serious. It's food friendly and has a lovely flavour profile. Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value, it demands decanting and is a wonderful example of the happy marriage that can be created between Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.