2006 Mollydooker - Shiraz The Boxer Syrah - Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale - Red

Raspberry, black licorice, nice long finish, nice mouth feel

Delicious: Sweet black fruit and cassis on the nose. Chocolate and blueberry fruit on the palate. Nice medium finish. This is 16% alcohol but the ripe fruit can handle it. The wine is balanced and may be at its peak now.

I love big black heavy stouts and porters and I don't shy away from 16+% big red wines but this was too much. Too much glycerine made this syrupy in the mouth and out of balance and tough to drink overall without the compensatory acid; had to chill to tame all the elements, then it was fine, drinkable and enjoyable but I kept fearing the beast would rear it's ugly head again as the wine warmed in my hand. Shouldn't have to manipulate to enjoy. I would choose the Marquis Philips #9 over this to enjoy this version of shiraz.

About what I was expecting. Big, fruity, a bit hot. Not quite as big as last years offering, but that's not neccessarily a bad thing. There are many excellent $17-$20 Australin wines and this is one of them.

Needs time to decant

Bold dark fruit aromas and flavors. Full mouth feel. Long, long finish. Hot, but in balance.

Big and powerful as expected, but after a little team in the glass, really settled down and fruit came to life as the backbone softened. Still 'hot', but sweeter and fruitier than expected.

Dark and dense. A big wine, yet lively with nutmeg- and cinnamon-scented blackberry, cherry and licorice flavors, balanced against firm but well-integrated tannins. Needs some time to soften.