Blue Pyrenees Reserve Red 2002

Avoca, Victoria, ¥132, cork seal

I've got a bit of an emotional attachment to Blue Pyrenees. A mate of mine somehow came by a few cases of the excellent 1996 version of this Reserve Red when we were at uni, and going from drinking $4 McWilliams Inheritance Shiraz to this was a pretty big step up. The Pyrenees is a cool climate wine region in Victoria's west and with great producers like Dalwhinnie, Taltarni and Sally's Paddock it deserves to be better known in Hong Kong. The wine is made from estate grown fruit and is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Shiraz, 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. I bought this from one of the duty free shops on the Chinese side of the Lu Wo border crossing.
Blue Pyrenees Reserve Red 2002 smells good; there's a hint of mint, chalky fruit and lots of cassis. It's interesting, but to me it's easily distinguishable that this smells of cassis and not blackcurrant; the sweetness and syrupy intensity are obvious. It's a pretty tasty little drop - the palate has plenty of sweet black fruit; I get hints of blackcurrant, blackberry and their usual cohorts. It's perhaps a tad empty on the mid-palate and the finish is all about feel rather than flavour - it ends with texture not taste. It's matured well with lovely sweet fruit still obvious and nicely integrated tannins. Blue Pyrenees Reserve Red 2002 is a smooth and enjoyable prospect that's not too big or over the top. An aged Victorian red at a reasonable price; almost makes you consider a day shopping Shenzhen.

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