Summerfield Wines 2001 Reserve Shiraz Sept 05

I was updating my cellar records and noticed that this was one of those wines where Oliver and my thoughts differed substantially. Although there was no TN on Oliver's site, his drinking window was predicted as 2003-2006. My note advised it should peak about 2007 so I decided to open one to see what gives. On the first sniff, I think I had the difference between our windows nailed. The inviting, floral dark plum and black fruit aroma shows some sign of being a bit cooked; chocolate, fresh cut grass notes and  cooling menthol enhance the bouquet. Palate flavours are a moorish combination of attractive chocolate, together with some slightly stewed plum and blackberry flavours, as well as well managed dark coffee oak characters which finish to mint. Well backed by fine dusty tannins, this muscular-weight wine has incredible power for its weight and a long, persistent finish. An absolute joy to drink, it's rated as Highly Recommended (the initial assessment was Excellent but has been downgraded because of the technically slightly cooked fruit - which is far from being into the "dead" category) and whilst it may not last as long as I had first hoped, its in no danger of falling over soon either. Glad I still have more in the cellar; its bloody enjoyable. Drink over the next 3-4 years.