2007 Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa Cuvee, $15.95. LCBO#684357.
After several weeks of a work overload induced blogging hiatus, I arrived home from work and exclaimed: I need a glass of wine! Luckily a new bottle of red was waiting for me in my wine cellar (cupboard beside the sink).
This big, bold red hails from the Barossa region of Australia and is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It`s a nice balance between the spice of shiraz and the fullness of cab-sav, although I find that the oak comes on a tiny bit strong. The full-bodiedness is overwhelming to the palate at times.
However, I enjoy it because it combines full, ripe fruit like plums and berries with a balanced finish. When I first opened it, I found it a bit sweet-tart and tannic at the end, but over 10-20 minutes, the wine mellowed out. The word that popped to mind when I tasted this was “interesting.” It’s still brash and full-bodied, almost like a portly CEO who has lots to say, but in the end, I’m listening.
