Today it’s a 2008 Australian shiraz that goes for $9.99.
Question! How is this intense, spicy wonder only 10 bucks?! It used to be $11 or more. In my last review of Jacob’s Creek reserve shiraz, I said the 2006 was a good buy, but not the best year for this stout red wine.
But today’s 2008 reserve, which also carries the name Barossa, and still comes with a real cork and everything, is a huge taste winner. It’s more delicious, AND cheaper, AND more complex.
That combination threatens to topple the current all-time Wineguider red wine value winner, Koonunga Hill shiraz/cabernet from Penfolds (reviewed here). I will edit this (see below) to let you know. For now, get ready for a subtle aroma of spice, impressive “Napa cab”-like tannins, and a big, warm taste of cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and a little rhubarb. Plus subtle blackberry, and no sweet blueberry pie in the face, as is so common with shiraz from down under.
A Best Value winner at $10, and highly recommended anywhere up to $15.
EDIT: After several bottles, I have decided not to dethrone Koonunga Hill shiraz/cabernet, for one reason: I have found the 2008 Jacob’s Creek reserve shiraz to be inconsistent. Some bottles have been wonderful; others have been pretty bad. I don’t know if this is the fault of the winery, the importer, the store, or what. But at this low price, it’s still very much worth checking out.
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