Review Fairview Beacon Shiraz 2001

73 points

From South Africa - an innovative producer that pioneers Rhone varietals.

The first bottle was flat, ordinary with no mid-palate in spite of 14.5% alcohol, and drying tannins on the finish. Very slight corkageis was enough to do this.

The 2nd bottle was much fresher, but still not an enjoyable wine. Dark, concentrated, dry (non irrigated) shriraz fruit 'balanced' by added acidity.

A boring empty wine. Dull dumb and alcoholic. A real lack of character and flavour.