Old Plains 2004 Longhop December 05

Tasting Note

Sydney Time

Old Plains 2004 Longhop December 05

Labelled "Old Vine Reserve" on the front of the bottle, in a smart marketing move, there is no mention of the fact that this is a 65% Cabernet and 35% Shiraz blend; you have to look on the back of the bottle to find that information, as well as the fact that it comes from 55 year old Adelaide Plains vines and that 160 dozen bottles have been produced.

In order to give this wine is an excellent chance of showing its best, as it is sealed in a ROTE, it was decanted seven and a half hours previously. Despite the extended decanting time, the wine's bouquet was still broody but showed tight, dark berry fruit, mushroom and ink. Impeccably structured and balanced, the wine shows some class. Ample-weight, with a firm consistency, a solid but tight structure, and well-developed harmonious complexity; this is a very good example of the blend. Plum, blackcurrant, some brambly characters, green bean, cigar box and milk chocolate flavours finish with good length and persistence. Rated as Highly Recommended with **** for value, it is available from oldplains@twpo.com.au for $25 bottle (RRP $32) with free freight for dozen lots across Australia.