Calabria 2017 ‘Whistling Duck’ and 2016 ‘Three Bridges’ Shirazes

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Calabria ‘Whistling Duck’ New South Wales Shiraz 2017
  Syrah from Australia - NSW

  Review Date : 09-Feb-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even dark ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full with bright dark raspberry fruit aromas along with an amalgam of whole berry fermentation-like jam notes entwined with herbal and spice elements. This is very accessible and up-front. Medium-bodied, the palate has juicy and sweet flavours of dark raspberry jam and dark-red plums entwined with dark herbs and subtle confectionary notes, unfolding hints of eucalyptus. The flavours are up-front and easy, with mouthfilling breadth and moderate depth, underlined by light, supple tannin extraction. The wine is rounded and the softness is enhanced by gentle acidity. The flavours recede on the finish. This is an up-front, easy and accessible Shiraz with raspberry, plum jam and herb flavours and eucalypt noses on a soft, supple palate. Serve with pasta, pizza and barbecued fare over the next 2-3 years. Fruit from vineyards in the Riverina, N.S.W., fermented to 13.5% alc. 16.5/20 Feb 2018 RRP $10.95
• Calabria ‘Three Bridges’ Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016
  Syrah from Australia - South Australia

  Review Date : 09-Feb-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, very deep, near impenetrable purple-hued ruby-red colour, very youthful in appearance. The nose is elegantly concentrated, a little restrained initially, developing to show vibrantly ripe aromas of dark raspberry fruit along with blackberry and boysenberry notes, unveiling some jam elements. This has a well-packed heart, revealing eucalypt notes with time in the glass. Full-bodied, the palate is softly rich and well-concentrated with deep flavours of ripe blackberries, dark raspberries and boysenberries, along with jam and eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is soft and rounded, the sweet fruit balanced by supple tannin extraction providing structure and grip. The fruit flows along a fine-textured line, leading to a long, elegant finish. This is a rich and sweet-fruited Shiraz with blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry and jam flavours on a fine-grained and structured palate with a rounded mouthfeel. Match with barbecued and roasted red meat dishes over the next 6+ years. Fruit from the Barossa Valley, fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine 18 months in 100% new French and American oak barriques and hogsheads. 18.0+/20 Feb 2018 RRP $19.95