Brokenwood Wade Block 2 Shiraz 2010

Good one? you betcha!

RRP: $65.00

Being on the expensive side I thought, what the hell! let's do this properly and decant it.  Thank god I did because it really comes into its own after about 30 mins.

When opened, I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of fruity goodness that came billowing out.  This was going to be a very yummy wine.  Pouring it into the decanter, the shiraz showed the normal glorious purpley red colour, and none of the brown tinge that would hint at overmaturity.   (I just don't trust my wine fridge, and with recent temperatures of 40C+ in my kitchen, who knows what is going on with my poor wine!!!).  In the decanter, the smell relaxed into a rounded peppery rose.  The alcohol level is 14.5%, which gives you a touch of CBN (chemical burn nose) but don't let this distract you.

It is purpley. Trust me.

Drinking:  Wade is full bodied.  By this I mean that the initial taste explodes in your mouth, develops and leaves a gorgeous long follow up.  This is a wine that wants to be taken seriously, and will not just pass wishy-washy through your mouth.  Its rich flavour is cherry heavy, ending in the rose that you get from the initial smell.  I also get a wee touch of bergamot. Not orange, but bergamot.  It is spicier.  This wine has only the tiniest bit of tannin which is my book, makes it magnificent!  You are, however,  talking to a lass that can't really stomach Hunter Shiraz's for that tannic reason, so it is just my taste.

Food:  I had it with a tomato based bean dish, and it was terrible.  Brokenwood recommend beef, so I'll update this if and when I try it with meat.  I had a few squares of dairy milk and the sweetness was lovely with the pepper, however I'd love to try it as an accompaniment to a veggie burger with grilled (not fried, who on earth wants fried) halloumi sides. 

In summary:  buy a case of this.  Put half down for long term cellaring, knowing that whenever you choose to open it you will have a sterling Shiraz ready to go.  Drink half now with people who like a decent tipple and will appreciate it.  This is NOT a wine to be used in mulled wine.  Or sangria.  Ever.

Check out my posh decanter. I haven't broken it yet!!