In good years like 92, 96, 98 and 2001 this wine can be a qpr killer and turn into something pretty special. The 96 is in its drinking window and as I have not tried the 98 since release three years ago it was time to see how it was progressing.

The nose shows good complexity with vanilla, dark chocolate, coco, plums, blackberry and menthol. The palate it hit by semi sweet plums which flows into savoury dark chocolate and onto blackberry. Its seems a lot riper than the 96 wine but is coming together well with very fine grained tannins providing a solid backbone for this full bodied wine with abundant fruit flavour and depth. Elderton sure makes some good wines and this is another example of what they can do. Another couple of years in the bottle wont hurt it.

(I burnt my tongue of a cup of Dutch Curry and Rice soup a few hours earlier and my palate is not as sharp as it should be so I won’t rate it.) Bloody enjoyable!

Dark ruby colour. Aromas of vanilla, banana, butterscotch, black fruit. Full-bodied, lush, and soft, with blackberry, vanilla, cream, pepper, spice, and prune. Moderate-long finish with black fruit, cream, and vanilla. 91 points (10/21/2005).

Hah. I think someone poured some syrup into my wine glass when I wasn't looking.

I'm trying very hard to stay away from the one bottle of the 2001 Shiraz that I have in my cellar. Thoughts?

futronic, is this a holder or drinker? I have one bottle.

FT,

I have the 01 slated to drink from 06-08. 2001 was a very hot year in SA so many of the wines will not last as long as other vintages.