Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz - An Aussie Through and Through

Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia.

Sample submitted for review. SRP of $13 and available widely for around $10.

From the bottle:

"For this wine we reserved selected parcels of grapes grown in the Barossa region in South Australia, a region famous for producing high quality Shiraz wines. Here the warm days and cool nights allow for optimal development of intense flavor and complexity.

2008 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz exhibits typical regional characteristics with fruitcake and plum aromas with a hint of spice and oak. The palate has complex flavors of mulberry, plum, chocolate and spice with excellent fruit length.

Excellent drinking now and will continue to improve over the next five to ten years.

14.5% Alcohol"

With all the hype around Argentina lately you may have forgotten about Australia. Don't. Australia has been producing some fabulous and at times even innovative wine in the under $20 category, and as such, this is definitely a country that should be on your list if you're trying to stay in a reasonable wine budget. Today's wine comes from the largest Australian brand, one that was started in the mid-1800s, Jacob's Creek. We will be reviewing a total of four wines from their Reserve line - a Pinot Noirand Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawara and today's selection, a Shiraz from Barossa. (There is also a non-reserve line so shop carefully.)

The 2008 Jacob's Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz begins with delightful aromas of plum, black cherry, pepper, spice and vanilla. There are even notes of banana in this complex and well integrated bouquet. The wine tastes of lots of jammy fruit balanced by a good amount of spice. The Jacob's Creek Reserve is very silky smooth and does indeed have lots of character. There's a little bit of oak evident, but it does not detract. It ends with a good medium length finish that features a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. This one might even be better on day 2. An excellent wine that should find a spot in the next Top 10 list!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.