From Barossa Valley, Australia's premier appellation, this label is a new arrival on the wine scene launching nationally this year. It is produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, which produces and markets Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyard, The Chalone Wine Group, as well as the French wines from Barton & Guestier, to name but a few. TASTING NOTES:
There is a bit of a watery edge to this Shiraz, but it still has tremendous concentration. It tastes like a ripe, juicy plum with blackberries and a hint of vanilla. The alcohol is 13.8% but it is integrated fairly well delivering good mouthfeel and ripe fruit flavors to the taste buds.
SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:
85 PTS
This is a solid wine that is priced around $14 a bottle. It is a decent effort for a new wine, but it is only slightly above average. Although its name is Archetype (which is the ideal example of a type; quintessence), this is not even close to an ideal Shiraz. However, there is plenty of potential for this Vineyard to improve its future vintages and inch a bit closer to perfection.
I liked this wine, although I must admit that it wasn't as big as normal shiraz wines from this region. It's almost French in style, more comparable to a Chateuanuf-du-Pape. If one can appreciate that and not expect a big, jammy shiraz then they'll really enjoy this wine.
ReplyDeletenot your archetypical wine from this region
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comments, it is not your typical shiraz from the area. However, as it was the wine that caught my pallet at a wine expo and now I am seeking to purchase more of it, as I am sipping my last glass. I realize that this wine (for the price) is worth the effort. My recommendation stands!
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