Cape d'Estaing Kangaroo Island Shiraz 1998
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from the tiny island off the coast of Adelaide. Yields for this effort were a lowly one ton of fruit per acre. The vineyards are young (5 years), but the spectacular quality of this first release is sure to make consumers take notice of this island operation. Fortunately, there are 1500 cases of this wine.
Other Vintages
2003-
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
They produce a Shiraz and a Cabernet Sauvignon, with all the grapes grown in a 6 year old, 25 acre vineyard on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. Winemakers Mike Farmilo and Robin Moody.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.