Once again, it's that time of year dear reader, as people hurry about shops looking to buy last minute doodads and doohickeys for significant others, loved ones, and gifts-for-the-boss-so-they-might-give-you-a-raise-next-year, and of course, they're shopping for wine.
Here at Matt's Wine Not!, I want to assure you that my wine suggestions for the holidays may or may not work out to ensure you have a beautiful pairing with your meal, and which may or may not just knock your taste buds off to may or maybe not make your dining experience memorable!
If that's not a guarantee of excellence, I don't know what is.
The next item up for bids here on ye olde wine bloge, is Australia's Pirramimma Shiraz, which will, I can assure you, leave you with a lasting impression of a very uniquely tasting wine. And, on a nice note, this wine is made by one of Aussie's oldest wine making families, and have continued to be vintners for over 115 years. Bravo to them!This wine comes with a nice natural cork, and pours a deeper blackberry red colour, and oozes juiciness as the wine slowly slides around the glass, showing this to be a wine of body and consistency.
Taking a whiff, a distinct chocolaty flavour kicks thy nose, which is certainly dark, a little kicky (@14% alcohol), but not overwhelmingly so.
A dry, full and robust wine upon taste, Pirramimma is quite chocolaty indeed, with a slight bitterness, without many other notes of fruit present (although I concede the bottle's noting of plum and blackberry present, after well, reading the back of the bottle and having a few more swigs). I also picked up some licorice/sweetiness, although again my buddy, the back of the bottle, notes vanilla. Licorice, vanilla, close enough...*whistles* The aftertaste wasn't mind blowing, but was fine as the wine lingered away.
So! To be honest, the chocolatiness was a bit much, as it did dull away the other background fruity tastes as per Mr. Back of the Bottle. However, it was still a very rich and luxurious wine, almost something you could pair up with your favourite Christmas dessert, and over time, the chocolate did become less noticeable as it was enjoyed after a few glasses.
Not my #1 Shiraz, but still worth trying just for the taste experience alone.
**3/4 out of 4
Purchased from a Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) store for C$19.95 (US$18.70).
From LCBO.com:
PIRRAMIMMA SHIRAZ 2005, 750 mL bottle
LCBO/Vintages #987784
Wine, Red Wine
14% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content: D
Made in: Australia
By: Malesco Wine Broker
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