WTN: An unexpected note...Two Hands Shiraz

[David M. Bueker]

2012 Two Hands Shiraz Fields of Joy - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley (5/19/2015)
Bar pour. A dinner companion asked me what my least favorite red wine was, and I said Australian Shiraz. So he bought me a glass of this stuff. It sure was ripe. Reminded me of macerated blackberries. It was not jammy. It was fresh, macerated berries. And then there were more berries. Then a truck drove by and dumped a load of blackberries on my head. Then we had a thunderstorm, and it hailed blackberries. Eventually the shot 'o vodka showed up. This was incredibly tiring stuff to drink. I got through half of it.

Guess you will not live this down in a hurry David! Smith and Shaw SB would really have made your night complete .

This goes in the Tasting Note Hall of Fame.

Was the dinner companion a sworn enemy, or an evangelist on a conversion mission?

[David M. Bueker]

It was a business "celebration" dinner, and he was having fun.

I love high class Aussie Shiraz, but this wine even I do not like. It is from a region much better suited for white wines and this producer´s wines leave me cold, even the more expensive ones. (This is an entry level.) If you are trying to be an ambassador for Oz wines, 2012 is surely the right vintage, the best since 2005, but make an effort and serve one of the following: Greenock Creek Seven Acre from Barossa or Torbreck´s The Gask from Eden.

Greetings from Sweden / Fredrik L

Next time this "buddy" wants to show his hand, you ought to mention Caymus and maybe you'll get a poulsard!

[David M. Bueker]

The Caymus 40th Anniversary Cuvée was on the list, and I was desperately trying to avoid it.