Thomas Vineyard Estate 2004 Shiraz June 06

Tasting Note

Sydney Time

Thomas Vineyard Estate 2004 Shiraz June 06

The vineyard is just near Fox Creek in McLaren Vale and Thomas' used to sell all their grapes to Berringer (now Fosters) but they have decided to hold back 25% of them to make their own wine. Prior to tasting the wines, I heard the names of some talented people who are assisting in the process behind the scenes, and the wines are made at Wayne Thomas Winery (no relation) by the Estates contract winemaker.

This wine was matured for 12 months in a combination of new American and shaved French oak. The bouquet shows plum, mulberry, pepper, nutmeg and leathery mushroom oak characters. A well constructed wine with deep, strong fruit that's well supported by smooth, fine, drying tannins and fresh acid. The flavours are intense with mulberry, plum, spices (pepper and a hint of nutmeg,) and blackberry on a long...., very dry finish. A muscular-weight wine with a firm consistency, there is some elegance to it despite its size and intensity. A bloody good wine for the price of $20 from cellar door; my rating of Recommended with **** is probably harsh as it was marked down due to a slight but noticeable level of dried herbs, that from a technical perspective should probably not be there. Drink over the next five years.

If you like Marius, you should like this one.