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Clayfield Shiraz 2004
Released July 2006 (Jeremy Oliver's latest review of the 2004 Shiraz)
A rather Hermitage-like Shiraz whose spicy, peppery and floral fragrance of dark-fruited plums, blackberries remains closed and rather brooding. Full to medium in weight, it’s sumptuously flavoured but hides its strength behind a tightly knit but firm and fine-grained backbone that will become more velvet-like with time. It’s well-ripened and generously flavoured, finishing long and savoury, with lingering fruit brightness and peppery undertones. 95/100 drink 2016-2024
Decanting is recommended. Cellar for 10 years+
The 2006 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge Gold Award and 'overall second place'
James Halliday's Wine
Companion 2008 edition (96/100 points)
Medium to full-bodied, with spice, licorice and blackberry running through the long palate; great mouthfeel and fine tannins. Superb cool climate wine. Cellar to 2024.
WINEWISE Volume 33 No.3 August 2006 Highly Recommended Gold Award
"This is a wine of considerable presence. The nose shows hints of blueberry and spice together with black pepper. Intensity and denseness on the palate are matched with very supple, fine, persistant tannins. Well crafted."
Typical analysis : Alcohol 14.3 %, pH 3.51, titratable acidity 7.1 g/L, bottled 26/3/06
Clayfield Shiraz 2001
UNCORKED 'Wine of the Week' by Ralph Kyte-Powell (The Age, Epicure August, 2003) (5 Stars)
This is a lovely Shiraz in the best Great Western/Grampians style. The nose has fruits of the forest/blueberry aromas with hints of pepper and warm spices. There's also an exotic savoury, meaty note. Mixed berry and spice flavours continue on the palate which is medium bodied and lush in texture. Classy oak supports it well. A concentrated wine but there's a lovely freshness to it that keeps it lively. Dry but non-assertive tannins provide a solid foundation.
James Halliday's Wine
Companion 2004 (94/100 points)
Deep purple-red; the spotlessly clean, moderately intense bouquet has a smooth blackberry and plum aromas which come through precisely on the palate. Here the silky, velvety texture provides excellent mouth-feel, and the structure is equally good, with a faint twist of acidity on the long finish. Somewhere in all this a touch of chocolate also makes its appearance. Lovely wine.
Jeremy Oliver's OnWine Report UPDATE (18.6 points Feb-March 2003)
Firmish, linear and finely crafted Shiraz with all the pepper and spice expected of western Victorian red with excellent concentration and potential to improve. It's deeply fragrant and exceptionally spicy bouquet of raspberries, cassis and plums is enhanced by hints of meat and game, and backed by a well-balanced measure of lightly smoky cedar and vanilla oak. With a lean, almost hard spine of fine tannins, it's long and medium, to full in richness but impressively concentrated in it's deep, dark flavours of berries and cherries.
Simon Clayfield Winemaker
Bright deep ruby red colour with purple hue and good clarity are the hallmark of Clayfield Grampians Shiraz. The 2001 Shiraz has plenty of obvious aroma, initially showing lightly toasted American oak then with all the pepper and spice expected of the region. The palate has Shiraz power with ripe plum, cassis, spice and a measure of mint. Medium to full in richness and finely matched with fine tannins.
Decanting and breathing is recommended. Cellar for 10 years+
Typical analysis : Alcohol 13.5 %, ph 3.51, titratable acidity 6.8 g/L, bottled 1/11/02
The 2001 Grampians Shiraz makes a great drink to enjoy with tender BBQ T bone steak marinated in Shiraz with Worcester sauce, ground oregano and black pepper.
Jeremy Oliver's review of the 2002 Shiraz
Fine-grained, elegant and tightly presented young Shiraz densely packed with fruit and spice. Its dusty black pepper fragrance of dried herbs, violets and spices reveal dark, ripe aromas of plums and blackberries, suggestions of meat and musk, and restrained cedar/vanilla oak. Medium to full in body, its palate is saturated by searingly intense flavours of wild, dark and red berries, above dark chocolate oak. Framed by fine, bony tannins, it finishes taut and lean. Excellent structure and balance. Drink 2014-2022. 18.7 points
Gold Medal Melbourne Wine Show 2004
Clayfield Shiraz 2003
Brilliant deep ruby red colour with purple hue and good clarity are a hallmark of Clayfield Shiraz. The 2003 has plenty of regional varietal aromas with nice cedar and vanilla oak complimenting all the pepper and spice expected of the Grampians. Although fairly alcoholic the pleasant warmth and ethereal spirit evident on the nose and palate is reminiscent of an Amarone style of wine. The palate has Shiraz power. Ripe plum with spice, cassis and a measure of mint, medium to full in richness and finely matched to the tannins.
Decanting is recommended. Cellar for 10 years+
Typical analysis : Alcohol 15.4 %, pH 3.58, titratable acidity 7.5 g/L, bottled 24/3/05
Clayfield Massif Shiraz 2004
The 2004 Massif has a bright ruby red colour with a purple hue. The nose has plenty of floral spicy aromas with a pepper note and well balanced oak. The palate exhibits Shiraz fruitiness, ripe plum with spice and is medium to full in body finishing dry with nice tannin. Sealed with Stelvin capsules this wine will retain its freshness and also benefit from decanting and patient breathing before drinking during the next six or more years of maturation.
WINEWISE Volume 33 No.3 August 2006 Recommended Silver Award
"A very ripe, intense plum-blueberry style with a touch of black pepper and well intergrated oak."
Typical analysis : Alcohol 13.0 %, pH 3.52, titratable acidity 6.7 g/L, bottled 24/3/05