Colonial l'Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz 2005
Deep ruby with a medium rim. There are 9,000 cases of the Colonial l'Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz 2005 -classic, ripe, handpicked from old vines based in the north of the Barossa Valley. The grapes are double-sorted—by the bunch and then by grape—on arrival at the winery and, after fermentation, aged in French and American oak for a year. The finish is round, enveloping taste — aromas of toast, scorched earth, tar, blueberry, and blackberry. Ripe and sweet, with some elegance a fine spciy finish. It has excellent depth from the Cabernet, moderate tannin, and a medium-long finish.
The name 'l'Explorateur' gives a French touch to start. Bordeaux winemaking practices and French oak barrels are used and made by the team of Jonathan Maltus, who is the first Englishman in Bordeaux to win a perfect score from Robert Parker for his 2010 Château Le Dôme. The hallmark of his work is producing win high complexity and longevity - a point proved by the recent hike in scores for his older 2005 vintage of the same, recently re-tested and awarded 98 points. Also, his other wine, Château Teyssier, is famous for wine persons.
