Tasting Note

                 Sydney Time

           Copyright © Ric Einstein 2008

smallfry 2006 Eden Valley Shiraz June 08 sells for $ 28 and is sealed under screwcap. The bouquet shows sweet fruit with blueberry, and a slightly spirituous nose, together with a hint of prune. This is one of these rare wines when the palate is a complete surprise and doesn't follow the nose. Not at all what I expected! It's savoury with bramblely fruit, blackberry, eucalypt and dried herbs -- too much of them. It's well constructed and sits nicely in the mouth. The unobtrusive, fine and tight tannins combine with slightly sour acid and distinct fruit to form a medium-weight, supple wine that has been harmoniously balanced. It shows some degree of elegance but the fruit profile just does not do it for me. I wonder if this is a bad bottle? Rated as Recommended with ** for value.

For the heck of it, I opened up a bottle of smallfry 2006 Barossa Shiraz to compare. The Barossa wine was far more enjoyable.