Savaterre 2016 Shiraz
We have been getting some wonderful accolades for our Shiraz in recent times. The esteemed Decanter magazine in London tasted 165 Premium Australian Shiraz and Savaterre was given 96 Points and classified as outstanding coming in the top 3%.
I’ve included Decanter's review of our 2014 Shiraz, as this is the opinion of 3 well-credentialed judges with international tasting experience with the worlds best. It also give you an idea of how the 2016 will develop.
OUTSTANDING
Savaterre, Beechworth, Victoria 2014
96 TG 96 RJ 96 AR
Winemaker Keppell Smith launched Savaterre in 1996. The estate is run
organically and boasts a combination of mild summer days, cool nights,
elevation and ancient granitic soils. the winery has labelled 2014 as a
'powerful vintage and no more so than in the Shiraz. The amplification
of terroir is magnificent. The wine is at once powerful yet refined and
precise, with sophistication and finesse'
TG Beautiful maturity displayed here; full of exotic spices, toasty oak
and lifted ripe bramble fruits on a satin-textured palate. It's drinking
beautifully, with great freshness, grip and balance.
RJ Soft, delicate perfume on the nose, restrained but pure fruit. Silky,
spiced, textured, layered, vibrant and elegant.
AR Distinctive, seductively spiced perfume with a hint of mint. Richly
concentrated, savoury, dark fruit that's evolving nicely with a spice-
imbued quality that coats the tongue, plus silky tannins and savoury
notes. Almost like a plush Cote-Rotie in character.
Drink 2019-2026
Mike Bennie of Winefront has dipped his creative nib in the ink for us
"Savaterre’s wines stand out of the crowd for a multitude of reasons, and constantly keep me interested to see how they will emerge each year. Here’s another curve ball. It’s got a lot going on in it’s slender frame, but it is a lighter, thinner wine than expected, with some serious zing to herbal-amaro-like acidity and a rasp of ferrous, gamey character running through the wine. It sets off with sour cherry, game meat and wet pavement scents. The palate on edge with sour cherry flavours, cranberry tang, that forest floor-iron filings character dragging through the wine and finishing it firm and dusty.“
My Tasting Notes
This is such a aromatic floral wine with underlying forest berries and fresh earthy aromas. It just leaps out of the glass and continues to grow. You must decant this wine well ahead of time to see it in its entirety.
There is a wonderful freshness and precision on the palate. sweet spice, morello cherry, violets and black raspberry fruit. A voluptuous medium to full-bodied wine with striking minerality.
Fine grain tannins and sinew ensure a long future of textural pleasure.
A seamless palate and silky texture keeps you intrigued. A serious,complete, balanced and concentrated wine. So elegant and effortless.
In my opinion best enjoyed in 4-15 years.