1999 Reserve Shiraz
Tasting Notes
Just looking at the wine in a glass gives an indication of its power and intensity. The color is deep purple, almost black. The nose displays all the perfume and spice of a great shiraz along with rich summer berries. The palate is generous and concentrated with plum, dark berry and licorice. The finish is long and lingering.
Grape Source
The 1998 vintage was sourced from McLaren Vale. The 1999 vintage blended from Coonawarra and Mt. Ida and the 2000 exclusively from Coonawarra.
Vinification
The fruit was fermented to dryness on the skins without receiving any barrel fermentation. This took approximately eight days before pressing into new French (50%) and American (50%) oak barriques for 16 months' maturation prior to bottling.
Winemaker
Andrew Hales
Cellaring
Excellent drinking now but will reward careful cellaring for up to 10 years.
Technical Details
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Bottling Date: November 2002
pH: 3.55
Acidity: 7.8 g/L
Alcohol: 14.2%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Harvest Date: March-April 1999
Ratings & Reviews
Wine Spectator (The Top 100, December 31, 2004 - January 15, 2005)
#8: The Classic-Scoring Releases of 2004: "Golfer Greg Norman launched his own wine brand in 1999; this is the most impressive release we've seen to date. Winemaker Andrew Hales blended grapes from the old vines of Mt. Ida's Coppermine Vineyard in Victoria and the limestone soils of Coonawarra. Fermentation took place in small, open-top tanks; the wine was aged in new and 1-year-old French and American oak barrels for two years."
Wine Spectator (Recommended Australian Reds, September 30, 2004)
"Twelve classic-rated wines top this year's reds from down under. Broadening the regional focus could lead you to Greg Norman Estate... Its sensational... Blend sources in Coonawarra in South Australia and Mt. Ida in central Victoria. This red vibrates with ultraripe fruit balanced by juicy acidity, finishing with remarkable harmony." - Harvey Steiman
Wine Spectator (Spectator Selections, September 15, 2004)
"Dark, deep and powerful, it's an explosive wine, vibrating with ultraripe raspberry, blackberry, licorice, sweet peppers and spices, all balanced with juicy acidity, finishing with remarkable harmony and tremendous length. A real knock out."
Wine Spectator (Spectator Selections, September 15, 2004)
"A stunning red for its ripe raspberry and licorice flavors, not to mention its attractive price for such high quality. It earns a Highly Recommended nod." - Harvey Steiman
Wine Enthusiast (September 2004)
"This Shiraz has medium body...A dried spice, or clove, note that shows on the nose comes around again to accent the palate's bright, juicy plum fruit; brown sugar and caramel components... The wine comes to a medium-long close." - Steve Stevens
Wine Access (Top 100, December 15, 2004)
"Rich and warm with grainy tannins and a huge peppery, vanilla, black cherry, licorice flavours, this shiraz should appeal to "big wine" lovers." - Anthony Gismondi
Houston Chronicle (January 8, 2003)
"Outstanding. One terrific bottle of wine: lush, ripe, black fruit, with the intense fruit covering the entire palate. The balance is well-nigh perfect, too. Not here yet... Wine to look out for, though. It was the best Shiraz I tasted in 2002." - Michael Lonsford
Colorado Wine News (October-December 2004)
"It has an inviting bouquet of chocolate, vanilla, charred, oak, blueberry, boysenberry, blackberry, and black raspberry. Everything repeats but with the fruit first as nicely sweet flavors laced with very fine tannins...Well balanced, structured, and integrated. It will continue to improve...Very Good."
