Umamu Margaret River Shiraz, 2005

This is not your typical Aussie Shiraz, but it has received some nice complimernts from reviewers such as Jancis Robinson and James Halliday. The color is a bright cherry red; no inky monster. And there are some good Syrah varietal traits--black fruit, cassis, spice and peppercorn. In my last posting of this wine, I compared it to a good Southern Rhone, but, tasting it tonight alongside Altitude 500 Ventoux, I see no real similarities. I like the style, though, and my only complaint is a bit of greenness in the aromas and flavors. (Were the grapes picked before complete ripeness?) At $12.99, it is well priced for a Margaret River wine.