2003 Springflat Shiraz

Wild Duck Creek’s offerings can be the most concentrated and wickedly wild wines of Heathcote, but this vintage appears to have tamed some of this winery’s fire and brimstone characteristics. However, at 16% alcohol, the 2003 Shiraz Springflat is no wimp. It exhibits surprising minerality along with crisp acidity as well as loads of blackberry and cassis fruit interwoven with background floral and new oak notes. Spicy, deep, medium to full-bodied, and impressively endowed, it requires several more years of bottle age, and should last for 12-15 years. Oct 2005, www.robertparker.com