2003 Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz

The Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz was created from a desire by winemaker Ben Riggs to produce a new Australian wine icon, which could be compared favourably with other great Australian wine icons such as Grange and Hill of Grace. The rationale was to bring together the juxtaposing qualities of Heathcote Shiraz and McLaren Vale Shiraz which would reflect each region’s terroir in a new and exceptional way. The Shiraz from Heathcote, which like the top Shiraz from McLaren Vale has incredibly inky black colour, the underlying difference between the two regions is fruit flavour and palate structure. The wines of McLaren Vale tend to be more voluptuous, almost pure fruit bombs but do not have the finesse and tannin structure that the wines from Heathcote deliver. The pure concentration of the black pepper and red berry flavours of Heathcote compliment the rich “joosy” character of the McLaren Vale. The result of Ben’s dream is Trademark Shiraz.

Re-taste 23/03/2011
Opaque black crimson colour with very deep dark red hue. The nose is quite perfumed with alluring aromas of violets, blackberry, liquorice and confectionary followed by some vanillin oak end notes. Rich and opulent possessing tremendous depth and persistence the palate delivers flavours of blackberry, liquorice and spicy dark plum followed by some confectionary with a strong black pepper back palate. Velvet smooth tannins, perfectly balanced with very long persistent aftertaste of blackberry, liquorice and blackpepper.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc 15.5%

First Tasted June 2004
Totally opaque black crimson colour, which clings to the walls of theglass like paint. Wonderful lifted nose with violet top notes, followedby blackberry, plum, cedar and vanilla. The palate is mouthfilling, butwhen compared with a 100% McLaren Vale Red, showing more restrainedstructure and fine grained perfectly balance tannins. Flavours ofliquorice, plum, cedar and violets are supported by a black pepper backpalate which continues to evolve in a power wave that delivers aprofoundly lasting aftertaste.
Cellar 10-12 years (2014-2016)
Alc/Vol 15.5%