Philip Shaw No.17 2004 Merlot Blend 2004 Front Label
Philip Shaw No.17 2004 Merlot Blend 2004 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Deep red in color with purple strings. The nose displays vibrant floral perfume aromas with an underlying richness of dark chocolate and mulberry. Dark summer cherry and redcurrant flavors with a hint of cigar box. All are integrated with soft but firm tannins for a complex and complete finish.

No.17 is drinking well now with excellent depth of berry fruit, elegance and power. It will also age well for up to 15 years. Blend: 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

By adding together the plot numbers (2, 3, 5, and 7) from which the fruit for the first vintage of this wine was sourced, you'll arrive at number 17. You'll also arrive at a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Merlot is a star in the Orange region, having near perfect berry set every year due to an elevation of more than 900 metres and high UV intensity.

Philip Shaw

Philip Shaw

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One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.

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A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.

Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.

GLO4016415_2004 Item# 89584