Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard 2005

Made by Henschke in Australia (region: Eden Valley) .

A dry, still, red wine with 14% alcohol tasted on 21st Aug 2009.

Grape: Shiraz

Quality: Outstanding

Value: Ouch!

Cost: Usually between $89.99 - $109.99.

Looks: Dark purple black colour with good extraction. Looks a little lighter than you would expect.

Smells: Black and red fruits, and a real smokey whiff

Feels: Medium to full bodied

Tastes: Leaner and quite tight, this is not just a big fruit bomb of a shiraz. Good black fruit that is ripe not sweet, mixed in with nice textured tannins and a good dollop of cedary oak. Long and fine, this is a great wine. There will be some who in this fruit driven age want less oak - however, in a nice lean wine I find it integrated well and adding rather than detracting.

Possible retailers: Vintage Cellars, BWS, Nick's Vintage Direct, Dan Murphy's, Kemeny's, Winestar, 1st Choice.