Glenguin School House Block

Rather than going to the rip off event which showcases NSW wines at Hyde Park today, where you pay $5 per tasting(!) glass for wines which mostly cost between $20 - $25 per bottle, I had my fill of NSW wine last night with the 2004 Glenguin School House Block Shiraz.

You don't find classic Hunter Shiraz all that easily any more. Brokenwood and Thomas mixes the Hunter and McLaren Vale a lot, others have slipped in quality. However, this is an attractive Hunter. It tastes of mulberry and has earthy undertones. The wine has good length and velvety tannins, maybe lacking a little bit in mouthfeel.

Hunter Valley Shiraz has this unique softness, and if well made, can last a lifetime. It is a pity that many influential Australian wine scribes have such a Victoria centric viewpoint. For example, Glenguin and Mereea Park, two leading Hunter producers, are not even mentioned in Jeremy Oliver's wine guide.

Score: 93/++