Terlato Chapoutier L Block Shiraz 2016

Domaine Terlato Chapoutier "L Block" Shiraz, Pyrenees, Australia 2016 

Grape: 100% Shiraz, dry farmed on shale soils, destemmed fruit, fermented in concrete & steel tanks, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier is a collaboration between legendary French wine grower, Michel Chapoutier and wine industry icon, Anthony Terlato. The single vineyard L-Block is from a tiny ‘L’ shaped plot that survived the 13 year drought without irrigation. South facing and at an altitude of 400m, this is a low yielding and cool block. The wine is powerful and intense but with delicate, fine tannins.

Colour: intense and deep ruby colour with hints of violet.

Nose: black fruits, violet and spices.

Palate: begins with freshness, the wine is powerful and aromatic with aromas of black fruits and pepper. The mid-palate discloses velvety tannins and the finish is full of flavour with notes of spice.

Serving temperature: 15-16°C.

Ageing potential: more than 10 years. 

"Barrel sample. Dry farmed. No acidification. Very sweet and salty. Not as integrated as Saddleback. A bit lean and sort of attempting a Rhône style but I’m not sure it really works as well as Saddleback. A bit brutal." 

16.5/20 points, Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 

Recommended food pairing: veal picatta (veal scallopini in lemon sauce), white meat with figs.