TATIARRA Cambrian Shiraz 2007

Robert Parker Score: 92 points

Reviewer: Lisa Perrotti-BrownJune, 2010

The 2007 Cambrian Shiraz has a very deep garnet-black color and gives pronounced notes of warm blackberries, macerated black cherries, spice box, powdered cinnamon and liquorice. Crisp acid cuts through the dense fruit on this full-bodied wine, with a medium level of fine tannins to lend just enough texture. The anise laced finish is long. Enticingly approachable now, it will be at its best from 2013 to 2020+.

The original 10-acre Tatiarra vineyard was established by Bill Hepburn in the early 1990s, while he purportedly camped out in his "Caravan of Dreams." More recently another 10 acres have been committed to vine, and McLaren Vale winemaker, Ben Riggs, has taken his talents to this impressive Heathcote project. The estate is producing some very classy Shirazes that are whole-heartedly recommended. The Culled Barrel label is exactly as it suggests - a "second wine" composed of declassified barrels that did not make the cuts for the other "grand vins." Nonetheless, the 2007 and 2008 are still pretty impressive wines.