Craiglee Shiraz 2017 Wine Review

Craiglee is an Australian cool climate shiraz institution. From Sunbury in the suburbs of Melbourne, the 2017 vintage tasted here is true to its northern Rhône styling. Elsewhere, even in Australia, it would be labelled as syrah (writing in 2021). It has aromas pepper, game and bacon and a well integrated cedar character. The palate is dry, medium bodied and has medium tannins (very fine) that complement the balanced palate. The finish is harmonious, peppery and the length towards long. This is a refined expression of Craiglee’s shiraz. The question then is how long might this wine age? It is drinking very well right now. But I would give it a further 3 to 5 years in the cellar to improve. Its weight and poise probably points to a drinking window of a further 6 to 8 years, but its balance means that longer is possible and my experience with screw caps thus far (the wine is bottled under screw cap) is that the wines age and develop over a longer period. Excellent drinking. Rating: Very Good. Website: Producer. Reviewed: September 2021.