Waterwheel Bendigo Shiraz 2005
The bigger brother of the Waterwheel Memsie that I have reviewed previously on my blog – Click Here
This wine has gotten some serious scores in recent times with Jay Miller from Robert Parkers website giving it 91 points and Gary Vaynerchuk from Winelibrary TV giving it 90 Points – Click Here. I was really looking for to this wine based on both scores and the fact that I liked the Memsie alot.
The Wine had a nice cherry red colour to it with huge colour intensity. Really huge aromatics on the nose of this wine with loads of over the top fruit – if you are a fan of huge over the top Shiraz from Australia this is the wine for you ! Lovely cherries, plum, blackberries tobacco and christmas cake style spice – there was perhaps a touch of vanilla caramel and leather in the background. Really rich and lush on the nose – creamy and rounded on the nose.
On the palate the fruit is well balanced with the alcohol and the oak but don’t be fooled there is boatloads and boatloads of fruit on the palate here ! It is like someone took and entire container of fruit and condensed it down into a handy tab size. The concentration of fruit is just immense ! However as I mentioned above it doesnt really get out of hand, have to much heat or make you need a nap after just one mouthful. Black fruits, cherries, plum, tobacco and vanilly christmas cake spice just take over your palate and the finish goes on for ages.
I did enjoy this wine however I actually prefered the entry level wine more. Dont get me wrong this is still a really good wine but it just doesnt suit where my palate is at the moment. If you are a fan of big over the top Shiraz then this is definately one that you need to seek out and try. To have gotten the critical acclaim that it has an to be able to purchase for less then €20 is still quite amazing ! I opened this for a group of friends who absolutely adored it so dont let my hesitation put you off.
Robertfranciswine – 88 Plus Points
Available from – The Vineyard Galway
Price Bracket – €17 a bottle approx.
