2017 Zonte’s Footstep “Hills Are Alive” Shiraz, Adelaide Hills, Australia (Alcohol 15.1%, Residual Sugar 2 g/l) LCBO Vintages $23.95 (750ml bottle)
Occasionally a well-crafted Australian Shiraz really blows my mind, and this Adelaide Hills offering from Zonte’s Footstep certainly does just that.
Unfortunately, when I went in to the store to look for it I kept on asking for “The Hills Have Eyes” Shiraz, much to the bemusement of the LCBO staff, so it took me a while to track some down a little more after thoroughly enjoying the sample bottle I had been sent by Cru Wine Merchants.
It’s a deep, dark and concentrated wine, with what looks like a fearsome load of alcohol on there, but I can assure you that there is nothing to be afraid of as “The Hills Are Alive” is a model of perfect equilibrium.
The nose is one of brambles, herbs, blackcurrants, anise, crushed blueberries, and classic cracked black pepper. The palate is all about intense black and blue fruits, with a really decent tannic grip and some delightful acidity. There’s oak spice present throughout, both French and American, but it’s all in perfect alignment with the ripe fruit.
Now there’s not much of this left in the system, but it’s really very, very good, and if you enjoy good Shiraz you really need to rush out and get this right now.
(Four and a half apples out of a possible five)
