Hartz Barn 2003 General Store Shiraz Sept 05

The bouquet shows obvious cool climate fruit characters that are cleverly contrasted and complimented by a good combination of flavours from sensitive oak handling. Spice (pepper,) mulberry, plum chocolate and a touch of high-tone mint are delivered by the fruit whilst the oak delivers dusty notes, black coffee, a touch of char and a hint of clove.

The takeoff is warm and cuddly and well supported by silky tannins which move through to cool climate peppery, chocolate fruit and a touch of mint finishing to sour cherry. It has a lovely mouth feel but the tannins provide solid backing whilst the refreshing acid gives the fruit a needed lift; (although it is not overripe, there appears to be some dead fruit character.) Muscular in weight, and it has excellent persistence and length and will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar. Rated as Recommended with **** for value at a modest RRP of $25. It may not have the crowd pleasing potential of the previous vintage, but it is a better made wine with increased complexity; if they had better (vintage conditions) fruit to work with, it would have rated higher. If they keep going in this direction the 2004 should be terrific.