Very deep, purple-black in color, the 2009 Platinum Label Medlands Estate Shiraz is intensely scented of blackberry preserves, blueberry pie and warm plumes with suggestions of balsamic, cinnamon toast and asphalt plus a whiff of vanilla. The palate is full-bodied and taut with tons of muscular fruit structured by a medium to firm level of grainy tannins, crisp acid and a long finish. Drink it now to 2020+. RP
This is the complete package, with a 10-gun salute to a more serious side of the Blass style. There's a wealth of black and blue fruits cradled in firm, fine-grained tannins and the usual healthy oak. JH
$1000
Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz 2008
JH
95
Inky, dense opaque colour; a massive full-bodied wine, with the black fruits, oak and tannins in remarkable balance given the age of the wine, and guaranteeing an extremely long life; 2040 may prove too conservative, but I will be long gone before that judgement can be made. JH