WTN: 2001 Kay Brothers Amery Hillside Shiraz McClaren Vale South Australia. 14.1% alcohol. Wine Ventures, $28.00. Imported by Grateful Palate, Oxnard, California.
Deep red color, deep hue, complex aroma of berries, spice and a bit of cedar; good fruit tastes with spice, those cedar notes and a bit more oak than I really like (over two years in American oak), medium to full mouth feel, pleasant tannins, long finish with distinctive Shiraz berry notes, quite a bit of spice, and that elusive cedar note. Went well with buffalo ribs cooked for hours in a slow cooker. [Seems unbelievable, but it was down to 48F last night.)
I loved this wine, except for the oakiness -- great fruit, subtle, not too alcoholic -- but gee why so much oak? A reluctant 4* for the fruit and the complexity.
Regards, Bob
PS: Two hours -- no meteors, but a lovely summer evening just vegging. B.