Hardys 1996 Tintara Shiraz June 02

Another wine in the sequence of comparing different vintages under the same label. The bouquet of this wine showed rich chocolate, vanilla, coffee essence and plum; it seemed like it had more oak influence and was less together then last nights 95 vintage. Like the 95, this wine also has eucalyptus on the nose, but it is stronger in the 96.

The wine still has a very solid tannic backing that needs another few years to come together. There is sufficient fruit to balance and in the longer term, this should be a very good wine. Full-bodied, the mouth is filled and the finish is long. On the palate, there is a reasonable amount of “green” flavour but it is in the mint and eucalyptus spectrum, it is not from unripe characters. Also found is chocolate and plum. 

Rated as Excellent, this will outlive the 95 and should turn into a better wine. As the wine was opened, the chocolate came up and the eucalyptus flavour receded.