Tasting
notes and reviews from previous releases of Tatiarra's wines are archived
on this page for historical purposes.
A journal of photographs which have previously appeared on the pages
of the site are also assembled here as a visual record of the vineyards
development.
TATIARRA CAMBRIAN SHIRAZ
2002 TATIARRA CAMBRIAN SHIRAZ TASTING NOTE: The grapes for this wine were cropped at 1.6 tonnes per
acre, producing a wine of immense power and concentration. Totally opaque
black purple colour. It would be impossible to extract any more colour
from Shiraz. Magnificent nose of liquorice, plum, spice and blackberry
over a very distinctive black pepper end note. The palate flavours are
powerful, forceful yet completely balanced. Layers of blackberries,
black pepper, liquorice, plums and spice are overlayed with cedar and
vanilla. The tannins are distinctive, assertive but perfectly necessary
to support the volumes of fruit that lay abundant on the palate. Exceptionally
long aftertaste of liquorice, spice and black pepper. Cellar 15-20 years
(2018-2023)
Alc./Vol.15.5%
Robert Parker's Review: The beautiful 2002 Shiraz Cambrian First Release, produced from yields
of 1.3 tons of fruit per acre and aged 18 months in new French oak,
reveals aromas of lavender, dusty earth, sweet black currants, and blackberries.
With a gorgeous texture, full body, and wonderful ripeness as well as
length, this impressive Shiraz should hit its prime in 2-4 years, and
age for 12-15. (Notes Sourced from Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
#155) ROBERT PARKER'S RATING: 91 points
2003 TATIARRA CAMBRIAN SHIRAZ
TASTING NOTE: Totally opaque black purple colour with black purple hue.
The nose is a superb sniffing experience, with top note of
violets, followed by blackberry, cedar, raspberry and blackcurrant.
The palate structure is exquisite, refined, yet powerful.
Flavours of white pepper explode over layers of blackberry,
raspberry, plum, violet infusions and cedar. Fine quite dry
tannins the driest of the 2003 Tatiarra wines, yet
perfectly balanced to the finish. Exceptional length and noteworthy
long aftertaste of blackcurrant, blackpepper and spice.
Cellar 20+ years (2024+) Alc/Vol: 15.5%
ROBERT PARKER'S REVIEW:A
barrel sample of the 2003 Shiraz Cambrian reveals marvelous
raw materials, combining both power and elegance. It should
evolve into a multidimensional wine. ROBERT PARKER'S RATING:
(91-93)
- (Notes Sourced from
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155)
2004 TATIARRA CAMBRIAN SHIRAZ
The colour is a complete saturate of black purple - a common feature of the entire collection and indicative of the intense flavour profiles that follow. Roll the wine around in the glass and the walls become instantly stained with a deep purple hue that just clings. The nose is perfumed and powerful, with violet top notes, followed by spice, black cherries, concentrated blackberries and cedar. The palate is a total explosion - vinous G forces hit every corner of the mouth, with intense layers of spice, blackberry and black pepper, overlaid with cedar and plum. The tannins are evident, but almost unperceivable, given the intensity of the fruit. The balance is perfect and the oral explosion continues well into the aftertaste. An extraordinary wine.
Cellar: 20 years (2025+) Alc/Vol: 15.5%
Further comments... "...if you are a Clos Rougeard meets Lagrein meets Hermitage meets 1955 La Mission Haut Brion sort of person then this is for you...This is a painful experience of acid, complexity, cherry rock and masculine traits that will push aside the uninitiated back to their gentler South Australian experiments. A megalith waiting to unfold...One of the very best wines produced in 2004 anywhere in Australia...For the money the Cambrian has to be one of the most complex and complete wines made in Australia today. THE HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION."
- (Notes sourced from
Garagiste, Seatle U.S.A.)
TATIARRA CARAVAN OF DREAMS SHIRAZ
PRESSINGS
2002 TATIARRA
CARAVAN OF DREAMS SHIRAZ PRESSINGS
TASTING NOTE: Totally opaque black purple colour. Magnificent
nose - one that heralds a wine of enormous concentration. Vanilla, violets,
inky blackberry and distinct blackpepper fill the nostrils. The palate
structure is monumental - another 'Duck Muck' with total concentrate
of Shiraz. The blackpepper characteristics are very pronounced and are
followed by strong liquorice and blackberry concentrate. The texture
is velvet smooth, yet followed by very firm yet quite in order perfectly
balanced tannins. Exceptionally long aftertaste. A giant wine. Cellar 10-15+ years (2013-2018) Alc/Vol: 15.5%
Robert Parker's Review: The 2002 Shiraz Pressings offers a gorgeous nose of flowers, black fruits,
and minerals as well as medium to full body, and fine intensity, balance,
and depth. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2014.
(Notes Sourced from Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155)
ROBERT PARKER'S RATING: 91+
2003 TATIARRA
CARAVAN OF DREAMS SHIRAZ PRESSINGS
TASTING NOTE: Matured entirely in new AP Johns American oak. The wine is made
from the pressings of Cambrian Shiraz. Totally opaque black
purple colour, with deep black purple hue. Superb nose - a wine
of explosive power and concentration is expected. Powerful notes
of violets, spice, blackberry, plums and vanilla fill the head.
The palate explodes - a monumental statement of concentration,
surpassing even last years formidable wine. Flavours of black
pepper, ripe plums, spice, blackberry, violets, confectionary,
vanilla and liquorice allsorts creates a totally encompassing
wine. Fine dry tannins, with remarkable balance for a wine of
such concentration. Extraordinary length and aftertaste.
Cellar 10-15 years (2014 -2019) Alc/Vol: 15.5% Further comments... "The greatest wine ever imported by Epicurean &
potentially one of the greatest wines ever produced in Australia..." - Garagiste, USA. ROBERT PARKER'S REVIEW: The 2003 Shiraz Pressings is
among the finest Shiraz wines I have ever tasted from Heathcote.
A brilliant effort cropped at 2.2 tons of fruit per acre, and
aged 18 months in 90% French and 10% American oak, its opaque
purple color is accompanied by a sweet, voluptuous mid-palate
and a huge finish. This outstanding 2003 should age well for
10-15 years. ROBERT PARKER'S RATING: (94-96)
- (Notes Sourced from Robert
Parker, The Wine Advocate #155)
2004 TATIARRA
CARAVAN OF DREAMS SHIRAZ PRESSINGS
The colour is again a saturate of black and purple which clings to the walls of the glass, creating the impression of stained glass. Superb lifted nose of blackberry concentrate, black cherry, vanilla and spice. Like the Cambrian Shiraz, from which the pressings wine is derived, this wine delivers an explosive powerhouse of flavour and force. Big, velvet texture and monumental flavour profile. Flavours of liquorice allsorts, vanilla, spice, blackberry and plum are overlaid with black and white pepper. Exceptionally long palate and aftertaste. A TRIUMPH. Cellar: 10-15 years (2015-2020) Alc/Vol: 15.5% Further comments... "...the very best wine of the vintage going beyond the critically swooned over 2003 Pressings. I'm not sure how they could accomplish this...Chiseled, liquefied rock and earth meshed with just the slightest suggestion of heavy cream and a tannic structure that would take Godzilla several films to break through, the 2004 is a mighty wine of earth and fruit with an impossibly complicated, wound up and layered personality that is truly one of a kind in Australia. This is as close as it gets to an old-style Grange character (think 1962 or 1971) while remaining clean, fresh and impenetrable. If you purchase this wine it will be very disappointing if opened today - it will illicit more than a few "who cares?" remarks and evil glairs from your guests. This is all about the ageing potential - if you buy Grange (at four times the price) and you don't buy this then I'm not sure what to say. THE VERY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION." - Garagiste, USA.
ROBERT PARKER'S REVIEW: A revelation, the 2004 Shiraz Pressings, which was aged 16 months in new American oak, may be the finest Shiraz I have ever tasted from Heathcote. Nearly overwhelming terroir characteristics of graphite, crushed rocks, and wet steel interwoven with acacia flower, crème de cassis and blueberry notes jump from the glass of this multi-layered, superbly concentrated effort, which displays freakish precision. Offering a seamless blend of extraordinary fruit, but also enormous potential, complexity and definition, it is an amazing effort from winemaker Ben Riggs! Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020+
RATING: 98+ - (Notes Sourced from Robert
Parker, The Wine Advocate #161)
TATIARRA TRADEMARK SHIRAZ
2002 TATIARRA TRADEMARK SHIRAZ
TASTING NOTE: Totally opaque black purple colour. Superb nose with notes
of vanilla, plum, spice, violets and dark chocolate emerging. Whilst
the nose is impressive it still has a long way to go in order to deliver
its maximum potential. On tasting the wine one wine lover exclaimed
that the wine 'brought tears to his eyes' that was not a negative remark,
but one that expressed a sense of awe at the quality of the wine. The
palate flavours are mouthfilling with layers of spice, dark chocolate,
plum and black pepper emerging. The tannin structure is balanced, fine
and dry yet assertive enough to support the wine for the next decade
plus. Exceptionally long aftertaste with black pepper characters persisting.
Cellar 10-20 years (2013-2023) Alc/Vol: 15.5%
2003 TATIARRA TRADEMARK SHIRAZ
TASTING NOTE: Totally opaque black crimson colour, which clings to the walls
of the glass like paint. Wonderful lifted nose with violet
top notes, followed by blackberry, plum, cedar and vanilla.
The palate is mouthfilling, but when compared with a 100%
McLaren Vale Red, showing more restrained structure and fine
grained perfectly balance tannins. Flavours of liquorice,
plum, cedar and violets are supported by a black pepper back
palate which continues to evolve in a power wave that delivers
a profoundly lasting aftertaste. Cellar 10-12 years (2014-2016) Alc/Vol 15.5%
2004 TATIARRA TRADEMARK SHIRAZ
Opaque black purple colour, with black purple hue. Lifted, perfumed nose, showing wonderful ripe fruit aroma. Violet top notes are followed by black cherry, spice, blackberry, plum and cedar. The palate has that rare quality of strength and elegance, showing great refinement. Flavours of blackberry, plum, spice, white pepper and liquorice allsorts abound. Not as forceful as the 'volcanic' Cambrian Shiraz, but still showing great length and depth. Fine, dryish balanced tannins. Very long aftertaste of dark chocolate, blackberry, liquorice allsorts and black and white pepper. Cellar: 10-12 years (2015-2017)
Alc/Vol: 15.5% Further comments... "It is one of the very best (if not the very best) wines of 2004...The devilish amalgam of sultry Footprint with the iron fisted Pressings has produced a "wow" of a beverage that somehow bridges the off-putting nature of the regular Tatiarra wines and softens it with the 2004 McLaren Vale fruit. This is akin to your young Latour being softened with Le Pin - a compelling combination of style, substance, mouthfeel and incredible length and breed this wine has left so many tastes in Australia speechless that I'm not really sure what to write anymore. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED".
- Garagiste, USA.
TATIARRA CULLED BARREL
SHIRAZ
2002 TATIARRA
CULLED BARREL SHIRAZ
TASTING NOTE: Totally black purple colour. Aromas of confectionary,
violets, blackcurrant and liquorice over a black pepper end note. The
palate is very spicy, totally mouthfilling with a backbone of fine dry
tannins over layers of black pepper and spice, followed by hints of
coffee. Perfect balance with a very long aftertaste of blackpepper,
spice and liquorice. Cellar 4-5 years (2007-2008) Alc/Vol 15.5%
2003 TATIARRA
CULLED BARREL SHIRAZ
Very deep crimson colour with crimson purple hue. Lifted, aromatic
nose, with aroma of raspberry, violets, blackberry and spice.
The structure is quite elegant and is held together by a distinct
black pepper flavour that runs through the palate and well into
the aftertaste. The palate reveals flavours of plum and black
pepper over spice and cedar. Fine grained tannins, with very
long aftertaste of raspberry, blackberry and black pepper.
Cellar 3-4 years (2007-2008) Alc/Vol: 15.5%
2004 TATIARRA
CULLED BARREL SHIRAZ
Totally opaque black, inky, purple colour. The nose is a delight and delivers a pronounced Heathcote sniffing experience. The top note of violets is followed by liquorice, blackberry, vanilla and spice. The palate is big, full bodied and packed with fruit flavour - an explosion of blackberry & blackpepper followed by vanilla and liquorice. The tannins are fine with very impressive length. Very long aftertaste of spice, blackpepper and blackberry.
If this is the wine Ben Riggs rejected, then with only a spark of imagination one can say that the 2004 Tatiarra wines will indeed be awesome. Cellar 4-5 years (2009-2010) Alc/Vol: 15.5%