St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve Shiraz Grenache 2009
You know how sometimes you find that little gem right under your nose – this wine is one of those little gems. Toby Barlow has worked hard to not only continue Stuart Blackwell’s great work but, coming from the slightly cooler wine region of Central Victoria, to keep St Hallet’s reds focused on freshness. This Gamekeeper’s Reserve definitely rates high on the gluggable scale with plenty of sweet fruit (it has a lowly 1.5g/l sugar making it undisputedly dry). And since this wine has not seen any oak, and has been picked just that little early to retain the acid, Toby and the team have been successful in keeping that fresh liveliness in the wine.
There is plenty of berries with some floral violets coming from the 8.5% Touriga Nacional and a hint of savoury meatiness. It has enough structure and body to go well with food but that sweetly ripe firm fruit gives it a real more-ishness. Having been lucky to taste an ‘04 to compare with the ’09 this wine may continue to surprise you with some cellar time too. I am giving it an extra $ on the value side.
Date: 17th July 2010 Price: $14 Value: $$$$ Drink: Now – 7 years
