Pillar Box Padthaway Reserve Red 2007
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Parker
Robert
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The nose displays rich aromas of blackcurrant overlaid with spicy notes, hints of red licorice and dried herbs. The palate is tarry and ripe, with dark berries, fresh redcurrant, cloves and briary, earthy complexity. The tannins are firm, yet the palate is round, velvety and textural, leading into a refined and long finish.
"The opaque purple-colored 2007 Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz spent eight months in French and American oak. It delivers an enticing nose of cedar, spice notes, violets, black currant, and blueberry. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, plush, and layered with notes of clove, briar patch, and road tar making an appearance. Round and velvety on the palate with excellent length, it can be enjoyed now and over the next six years. It is an excellent value." 91 Points
Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The opaque purple-colored 2007 Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz spent eight months in French and American oak. It delivers an enticing nose of cedar, spice notes, violets, black currant, and blueberry. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, plush, and layered with notes of clove, briar patch, and road tar making an appearance. Round and velvety on the palate with excellent length, it can be enjoyed now and over the next six years. It is an excellent value.
Other Vintages
2008-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
During the nineteenth century establishment of the farming and wine industries of Southeastern Australia, horse-drawn coaches provided the only transportation of mail and passengers. The coach drivers reigned supreme on top of their coaches, and won the respect and admiration of their passengers. The coach service proprietor in this part of the state, was a certain Mr. Henry John Hill. His operation drove directly through a property owned more recently by three generations of the Longbottom family of Padthaway. Routes were known as Drives, thus the family's wine business is today known as Henry's Drive.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.