Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz, 2005

I served this 2005 Australian Shiraz alongside the Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, thinking some at the table might prefer the less mature wine. It comes from the relatively cool climate of Coonnawarra and has less weight and more elegance than some Shiraz wines from Barossa.

Deep, dark ruby. Forward bouquet from the beginning, even compared to the Thalabert. Red fruit as well: red raspberries, cherries and spice. Not as much black pepper. Medium weight and body although the alcohol content is 14.5% compared to Thalabert's 13%. More alcohol, more ripe fruit, less acid. A good representative of Australian Shiraz.