2005 Explorateur Shiraz
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Tasting notes
There are 9,000 cases of the 2005 Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz (with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend). It was aged for 12 months in French oak and bottled unfiltered. Purple-colored, it displays reticent aromas of toast, scorched earth, tar, blueberry, and blackberry. Ripe and sweet, with some elegance, it has good depth, moderate tannin, and a medium-long finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through 2020. The Colonial Estate is the Australian project of Englishman and Bordeaux chateau owner Jonathan Maltus. His 45 hectares in Saint-Emilion encompass Le Dome, Ch. Laforge, Clos Nardian, and Ch. Teyssier. His first vintage in Australia was 2002. Current production is up to 25,000 cases. Importer: USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA, Tel. (800) 485-5753 for John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection
Critic scores
Average Score
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(blended with 8% cabernet sauvignon) Inky violet. Rich, powerful aromas of dark cherry, licorice, espresso and printer's ink. A big, dense shiraz with a serious, brooding quality to the dark fruit. Substantial dusty tannins come up with aeration, further emphasizing the wine's masculine side. Finishes with notes of sweet dark berry liqueur and licorice.
There are 9,000 cases of the 2005 Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz (with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend). It was aged for 12 months in French oak and bottled unfiltered. Purple-colored, it displays reticent aromas of toast, scorched earth, tar, blueberry, and blackberry. Ripe and sweet, with some elegance, it has good depth, moderate tannin, and a medium-long finish. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it through 2020. Oct 2007, www.robertparker.com