2005 Goose Yard Block Shiraz

Inky purple. A black hole of a nose, showing aromas of ripe boysenberry, blueberry, plum, espresso, black pepper and printer's ink; aeration coaxes out graphite and iron notes. A massive mouthful of ripe, sweet dark berries, mocha, licorice and sexy baking spices. Unlike many other outsized examples of shiraz, this has real energy to complement its thick, weighty texture and liqueur-like fruit. Suave, velvety tannins add structure on the expansive, very long finish. This might be best served in homeopathic doses.

Schubert Estate is situated in one of the prime spots in the Barossa Valley, Roennfeldt Road, made famous by the Greenock Creek winery. The 2005 Shiraz “Goose-Yard Block” was aged in a mix of new and used French oak for 12-15 months. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a fragrant bouquet of pain grille, pepper, crushed rock, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Velvety, ripe, and seamless on the palate, the flavors are already complex, and the pure finish lasts for 60 seconds. While it can be enjoyed now, I’d opt for cellaring it for 5-7 years to allow the wine its fullest expression. Oct 2007, www.robertparker.com