Tasting Note
Sydney Time
Copyright © Ric Einstein 2009
Copyright © Ric Einstein 2006
Marius 2004
Symphony Shiraz May 06
Matured in a hundred percent French oak and bottled under screw cap. The bouquet
is closed, tight, brooding and black; it does show liquorice, cedar and a
reasonable amount of toasted oak influence. Tightly-grained, blocky and dusty
tannins provide a solid backbone and finish dry. The palate shows coffee
essence, liquorice, blackberry, cedar and dried green herbs on the finish.
Ample-weight, it probably needs about four years to show its best and due to its
tighter nature, many people may think it is a better wine than the Simpatico,
but I am not one of them, preferring the more open and approachable nature of
the Simpatico and finding the oak influence and blocky tannins in the Symphony
not quite as attractive. However, with time if the fruit absorbs the oak and
tannins integrate, and the Symphony may prove me wrong. Rated as Recommended
with **** for value, the rating may improve as the wine matures.
