Winery	Reilly's Wines
Region	Clare Valley, South Australia
Vintage	2006
Type	Red
Grape Varietals	Shiraz
Retail Price	$29.50
Rating	8/10

Interesting name huh? I love the picture really. Its name really tickles me... In case you were wondering, no, this is not a mis-categorized comic post. I couldn't be more saint after having a glass of Barking Mad Shiraz. 

Before you take think this is a pushover, think twice...no, thrice, 'cos it barks (no it doesn't bites) with a vengence when you are least aware.

Barking Mad Shiraz 2006 was the second wine I tasted during my visit to Cellar Deluxe on tuesday. The first wine Heathfield Ridge 2002 was complex and elegantly wrapped in intense ripe fruits for maximum drinking pleasure. Initially I was worried that Heathfield could have set my taste precedence given that it had already 'subdued' by tastbuds. However I was proven wrong.

Instead of being the lesser wine of the night, Barking Mad held to it own style staunchly. Freshly opened, the wine smells dominantly of vanilla straws and light spicies on the nose. This full-bodied wine has well-balanced acidity and tannin giving a general smooth harmonised mouth-feel. Notes of blackcurrant was detected but was rather lateral. On second thoughts we decided to let it breath for a while. As it turns out, Barking Mad came barking with a vengence. The vanilla and spices became less dominant, but came a bolder  aroma of blackcurrant, plum and coffee toast which after a while, unmistakenly smells like crushed pistachio. Taste wine, the wine reminds me of  a cup of cafe mocha sprinkled with touch of chocolate powder that slowly melts in the mouth with finishing of great length. 

Because the style and character of the wine is so different from Heathfield, I would hesistate to do any comparison. Personally I prefer soft, round and fruity wine with feminine touch, whereas Barking Mad is more bold upfront, but provides an alternative taste to wine, which you know what, reminds myself standing before Starbucks barrister while he whips up an aromatic hot cup of mocha. Overall still good value for money wine below the $30 range.

Tasting Notes: 

• Freshly opened, the wine smells dominantly of vanilla straws and light spicies on the nose. This full-bodied wine has well-balanced acidity and tannin giving a general smooth harmonised mouth-feel. Notes of blackcurrant was detected but was rather lateral. After some breathing, the vanilla and spices became less dominant, but came a bolder aroma of blackcurrant, plum and coffee toast which after a while, unmistakenly smells like crushed pistachio. Taste wise, it  reminds me of a cup of cafe mocha sprinkled with touch of chocolate powder that slowly melts in the mouth with finishing of great length.

Food Pairing:

• Nutty snacks or cheese.

Drinkability:

• Ready. Decant to bring out the hidden complexity in the wine.

Available At:

• Cellar Deluxe