Winery	Wolf Blass Brown Label
Region	Barossa Valley, Australia
Vintage	2000
Type	Red
Grape Varietals	Shiraz
Retail Price	AUD$44
Rating	8.5/10

In my opinion, a good O' Shriaz is always my safest bet. Whether you are rejoicing this wine with your conservative folks at home or impressing colleagues and friends with your new found hobby. Shriaz can almost never go wrong. Nevermind that this single variety grape packs some powerful punch as some would say. The full bodied  wine that is usually accompanied with strong plum, cherry, dark chocolate or peppery note with lasting finish that would almost impressed anyone alike.  

The 2000 year vintage Wolf Blass Brown Label Classic Shriaz did just that. Hailed from Barossa Valley, home to South Australia's wine producing industry, this region is famed for producing the best Shiraz in the world. Wolf Blass, the man and his winery with 35 years of experience backing him, did just the right recipe to bring this wine to fame.

The Brown Label is Wolf Blass' range of premium single variety that prides on its quality. This elegant and beautiful full bodied wine carries a bright ruby hue under the light with some prominent residues. For some reason when I opened this wine, a thick violet layer of what looks to be like mud was stuck onto the cork. However there was no sign that this wine had maderized (become stale). I could only summised that the producer had introduced oak dust into the wine to induce the smoky flavour.

On first sip, the wine brings out a pleasant buttery nose with a tinge of sweetness and oakiness reminiscent of  smoke food on the tastebud. The wine is smooth and  mellow with only slight hint of tannin demonstrating sign of maturity. The finishing was beautiful with notes of tropical nuts, vanilla and thick belgian chocolate strong on the palate.

I opened up a packet of salted peanuts and began munching on while taking a sip afte each mouth. The saltiness added some savoury taste to the wine giving a fresh complementary perspective. Feeling adventurous, I whipped out some 50% concentrated dark chocolate bought in Switzerland to try with the wine. Woa, I must say I love the combination! The slight sweetness of the wine hides the bitterness of the dark chocolate, yet blends so well with smokiness to offer some bitter sweet aftertaste. I wouldn't have finish the chocolate if not for the Wolf Blass Shriaz.

Nice as I may described, this wine has yet to reach the Singapore shore. (Sorry ladies and gentlemen...) This bottle is a gift from my from a friend who was in Adelaide for his holiday and was air flown back to me. I've tried hunting for the same bottle around, but seems like no wine distributor has brought it in. At AUD44 this bottle cost about SG $58 which is quite steep compared to most other Wolf Blass labels averaging about $20+ to $40+. But bear in mind, this is the premium range. If not for the mass of violet residue in the bottle, I would have given it 9 points. But hear this. If you see the Brown label anywhere, buy a crate first then drop me a mail. I'll be more than happy to split the spoils.

Updated on 05 may 2005: 

Bottle and Bottle at Parkway Parade now sells the Grey Label at $50. They also have the Gold Label selling at $42.  

Tasting Notes: 

• Pleasant buttery nose with a ting of sweetness and oakiness reminiscent of  smoke food on the tastebud. The wine is smooth and mellow with only slight hint of tannin demonstrating sign of maturity. The finishing was beautiful revealing structure of tropical nuts, vanilla and thick belgian chocolate strong on the palate.

Food Pairing:

• Nuts, dark choclates, cheese and satay.

Drinkability:

• Ready to drink. Can cellar for another 2-3 years.

Available At:

• Wolf Blass Winery