Most people think Australian Shiraz is supercalifragilisticexpialidociously rich. powerful and saturated.
Why? Because even though Shiraz comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, it is the big alcoholic bombers that critics remember from mass tastings. Even though such wines give many people heartburn and blot out the food they partner, people think they must be good because those critics say so.
New Zealander Nick Goldschmidt who cut his teeth at some of the better wineries in Australia and New Zealand before he rose to be the head winemaker at Simi and then a big conglomerate, always kept a soft spot on his palate for more proportioned wines.
That is exactly what he made from the McLaren Vale’s Coppermine Road vineyard (also source of d’Arenberg’s famous Cabernet)
His 2004 Forefathers Shiraz has the weight and build more of a Crozes Hermitage than a southern hemisphere behemoth. Only its cinnamon - accented and decidedly exotic wild plum flavors give away its Australian origin.
But the critics ignored it. After time the distributor forgot it in his warehouse.
Add the burnished patina that four years of age have given the wine and you have something very nice to drink now or over the next year, a compellingly satisfying red, rich enough for a summer barbecue, but not too heavy for the heat.
Subtraction makes the wine a must-buy. It was made to sell for $28, but its time sleeping in the warehouse that improved its flavors, made it anathema to the firm’s accountants who decreed, “Begone.” We were only too happy to help and can offer it to you for $17.99, over a third off.

2004 Forefathers Shiraz (McLaren Vale); Aroma: plummy soft rather clean, nicely spiced with a touch of leather and age,; Mouth: smooth rich wild plum and a touch of firm clean eucalyptus, smooth light clean structured, long finish; Very Good Plus 17.99; Mixed Case, 16.19; Case, 15.29

Even Better.....

Special Case Price $167.50 just 13.96 per bottle, half off