2003 Limestone Coast Shiraz

Tasting Notes

The Greg Norman Estates 2003 Limestone Coast Shiraz displays lovely varietal aromas of dark plum, black cherry and spice. The rich palate shows dark berry, plum and ripe cherry flavors supported by well-integrated spicy oak. Supple fine tannins provide good structure and texture to the sweet plum and blackberry flavors, ensuring a long, elegant finish.

Grape Source

The fruit for this wine was sourced from vineyards in Padthaway, Wrattonbully and Coonawarra, which are located on the Limestone Coast of South Australia. The Limestone Coast has become famous for its high quality fruit grown on the rich, red soils overlying hard limestone rock. The 2003 vintage was warm and dry, ideal conditions for producing concentrated varietal fruit character, dark color, and ripe tannins.

Vinification

The individual parcels of fruit were harvested then fermented separately in roto and static fermenters. The juice was pumped over the skins to extract the rich colors and flavors from the skins. The wine was pressed off the skins and then racked into seasoned and new American and French oak for maturation prior to blending and bottling.

Winemaker

Andrew Hales

Cellaring

Excellent drinking now but will reward careful cellaring for up to 6 years.

Technical Details

Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.5
Acidity: 0.64 g/100ml
Harvest Date: March to April 2003

 

Ratings & Reviews

Wine Spectator (October 15, 2006)
Harvey Steiman's Recommended Australian Reds: Top Values

 

Wine Spectator (May 15, 2006)
"Smart Buy. Polished, ripe and jazzy in style, with lively acidity against surprisingly intense peppery plum, currant and blueberry fruit, persisting impressively through the long, supple finish." - Harvey Steiman

 

Wine Spectator (May 15, 2006)
Great Value Wines from Around the World: 100 Wines / 90+ Points / $25 or Less

 

Wine Enthusiast (February 2006)
"This Shiraz's black-pepper accent is its best feature; on the nose, it's joined by meaty notes. On the palate, it's taken over by a smooth, woody overlay and sour plums." - Daryna Tobey

 

Wine News (Oct/Nov 2005)
"Aromas of mint, oak, pencil and campfire. Stewed cherry, clove and nutmeg flavors. Earthy finish with tea and tobacco notes." - Daryna Tobey

 

Food & Wine 2007 Wine Guide (January 2007)
"An affordable crowd-pleaser characterized by simple peppery berry and toasty oak flavors." - Rick Lyke

 

Healthy Cooking Magazine (What's in a Name?, December 2006)
"2003 Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz offers big ripe berry notes accompanied by bits of pepper after it opens up. The wine is consistent throughout with strong black pepper streaks and bright blackberry flavors. This combination, backed up by elegant tannins, makes a tasty little wine. Notes of spiced fruit and bits of blueberry in the extended finish." - John Solomon

 

Berwick, PA Observer (Drinking With the Shark, November 2006)
"This is a stunner. Just look at the color, a rich, intense, full-bodied, bold and beautiful wine. Some maturation in oak barrels gives the complexity we lust after when opening an Aussie Shiraz. It delivers the goods at a most generous price." - Phillip Silverstone

 

Sarasota Magazine (A Down-Under Discovery, Summer 2006)
The 2003 vintages of Shiraz are just now coming into the market, and they're spicy, but not bitingly so. They show an appealing berry characteristic and taste wonderful with grilled foods or a plate of cheese. Look for the 2003 Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz."

 

Sports Illustrated (The Grapes of Golf, April 10, 2006 )
"The Tour's combination doubles the number of wines available with connections to professional golf, thus creating a wine category. Greg Norman was the first golfer to get into the business in the mid-90's. Included on the list of recommended golf wines: 2003 Greg Norman Estates Shiraz" - Bill Henderson

 

Wine Report (April/May 20066)
"Above Average Value. This dark, red, "briary, brambly" quaffer sniffed of intense black fruit, cinnamon, green peppercorn, dark coffee, chocolate and mushroom ... flavors of wild berries, tobacco, burnt earth and light cinnamon." - Gil Kulers

 

Martha Stewart Living (Hearty Wines for Winter, February 2006)
"The warm scents and flavors that we've come to expect from hearty reds harmonize perfectly with the intense entrees and rich desserts of the season. One of our picks is 2003 Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz for its classically Australian zip and spice." - Matt and Ted Lee