Haselgrove Bella Vigna Shiraz

Haselgrove Bella Vigna Shiraz 2008
$25, Screwcap, 14.5%
Source: Sample
www.haselgrove.com.au

This recently won a trophy at the International Wine Challenge for Best McLaren Vale Shiraz and Winestate Shiraz of the year 2010. Produced by the reborn Haselgrove winery, which is now back in family hands.

It’s a buxom, 18 year old swimwear model of a wine – youthful, bright rounded, curvaceous and plainly attractive. The nose, like many other 08 Mclaren Vale Shiraz, is sweet smelling, with liqueured red berry fruit and choc (oak) berry milkshake characters, which would have immediately attracted the judges (I think). That sweetness is hardly a turnoff however, and especially not for young Mclaren Vale Shiraz.

The palate follows with a mouthful of flattering, plush and super smooth fruit + oak flavours in a big round ball of chocolatey goodness. Finish wise it’s quite light and tannins are largely non existent.

Strictly speaking this is too sweet and oaky for very high marks, but no questioning the consumer appeal – lots of people are going to enjoy this wine. Like most 18 year olds, however, it’s just a smidgen one dimensional for my tastes (at the moment at least). 17.2/90+