Tim Adams

Aberfeldy Shiraz 2012

• 

  Vintage 2012
  94 points The Wine Front

I often think of The Aberfeldy as being like the Clare Valley’s Grange. Aside from the fact that it’s from a single region, and much less than one tenth of the price.
It’s a flagship wine that’s easy enough to enjoy now, or much later. Blackberry, dark cherry, cloves, sage, coconut, dark mint chocolate, spice – it’s all go. Full bodied, lush smooth tannin, silky feel with rich fruit, backed with toasty spiced oak. Smooth powdery tannin carries the finish long, and while there’s a little warmth, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Does that make senseI often think of The Aberfeldy as being like the Clare Valley’s Grange. Aside from the fact that it’s from a single region, and much less than one tenth of the price.
It’s a flagship wine that’s easy enough to enjoy now, or much later. Blackberry, dark cherry, cloves, sage, coconut, dark mint chocolate, spice – it’s all go. Full bodied, lush smooth tannin, silky feel with rich fruit, backed with toasty spiced oak. Smooth powdery tannin carries the finish long, and while there’s a little warmth, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Does that make sense? Well, at least it sounds impressive. As is the wine. Well, at least it sounds impressive. As is the wine.

• 

  Vintage 2012
  93 points Halliday Wine Companion

Excellent wine but oak tolerance is certainly required. Fortunately the fruit pops its heads through the clouds and, particularly given time to breathe, shines. Vanilla, toast, violets and chocolate with sweet-but-lively plum-drenched fruit pouring through. Swish, velvety tannin adds to the quality case.