Pikes Clare Valley Shiraz Grenache Mouvedre 1997 (review)

90+ higher points for the price value ~ $21 at cellar door

Here is a wine that has been perfectly cellared at the winery, near the ssupposed end of its life- the back label says 4-7 years aging- that is contrary to many Australian red wines- it has aged beautifully. The colour is starting to pick up a bit of red brick, but still has reddish purple notes. It is not a dark wine, looking more like a southern Rhone than an Australian Shriaz. The nsoe is a bit of licorice, a bit of spicy cinnamon fruits and that earthy smell of Grenache. I didn't detect much of the tarry Mouvedre, even though it is listed as 25% of the blend. The taste is sweet fruit and spice., more cinnamony fruit and here the Mouvedre brings its smoky dark flavours on top of the spicy Shiraz and Grenache. There is oak, but it is now subtly part of the tannin, dry and dusty but with no bitterness- just long lingering spicy dust. I wish I had bought a lot more at this price!