PETER LEHMANN EIGHT SONGS SHIRAZ - 2003

From Barossa, Australia with 14.5% alcohol and fermented in 100% new French oak hogsheads. The name of the wine was inspired by the operatic work, "Eight Songs for Mad King," first performed in the Barossa in 1993.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep red color with rich berries, perfume/floral notes and brand new baseball card bubblegum on the nose. On the second day aromas of shaved chocolate emerge. On the palate there's lots of plum on the mid-palate, candied fruits, vanilla, hints of clove and tart cherries on the finish. Smooth and concentrated.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88+ PTS

A very good Barossa Shiraz with saturated fruit and alcohol that is kept pretty much in check. Anyone who's tasted a lot of Aussie Shiraz knows that the alcohol on these reds are often out of whack. That's not the case here although the wine is a bit sugar-shocked and leans into the fake fruit flavors a little too much for my taste. On the second day the wine is still incredibly vibrant and shows some prune and fig undertones. Retails for an expensive $38 making this a questionable recommendation.