Saturday, September 18, 2010

TAYLORS JARAMAN SHIRAZ 2007

- Clare Valley/McLaren Vale, SA
- $20-$32
- Screwcap
- 14.5%alc

In this modern age of regional identity the Taylors bi-regional Jaraman range provides an intriguing point of difference. The range now includes such combinations as an Adelaide Hills/Yarra Valley pinot noir and a Margaret River/Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc, but tonight I'm looking at the more traditional Clare Valley/McLaren Vale shiraz; a wine regularly discounted by retailers.

The tell-tale signs of over-ripe, jammy fruit emanate from the glass of Taylors' 2007 Jaraman Shiraz; roast meats, raspberries, fruit cake and dates dictate its nose alongside a liberal dose of smooth, sweet oak, but forgivingly, there's also faint touches of chocolate and cinnamon that optimistically suggest it might be come together on the palate. Unfortunately, the optimism dissipates on first touch. There's plenty of over-ripe, raisined fruit quality evident from word go, which gets extended fleetingly by sour-edged, thinly structured sweet BBQ sauce-like flavour. I've had a few less-than-perfect reds from '07 salvaged by some decent tannin structure, but this wine misses that boat completely, as its finish spikes and jars with all the co-ordination of an Elaine Benes jive.

X For its price this is way too much of a chore and not enough fun. Drink to 2012.
85 points


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