(Shiraz/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Western Australia - $11-$22
- Screwcap
- 14.0%alc
A Foster's rep told me on the weekend the 2008 Fifth Leg red is sourced exclusively from the Margaret River, however, I'm not entirely sure I believed her. There have been times when the Fifth Leg red has been labelled as Margaret River, but recent releases have carried the broader Western Australia tag (such as the 2007 which I know was sourced from at least both Margaret River and Geographe). Still, it's all quite impertinent for a $12 wine, isn't it?
The 2008 Fifth Leg is leafy, but perhaps more like Margaret River-shiraz tomato bush than Margaret River-cabernet tobacco leaf, with thinly veiled scents of cherry and blackcurrant partnered by a sniff of spice and an oak influence which sits slightly above its fruit at this young stage. Medium in body, the fractionally loose and hollow yet soft and approachable palate contains youthful, vibrant berry and spicy red cherry flavours touched by creamy oak. Its long finish is drawn out significantly more by lively acids than tannin, which allows a faint metallic edge to make itself apparent at the final climax.
O Compared to the superb, finer 2005 (91pts) this is much more of a softer, quaffing style WA blend and a reasonably good one at that (especially for $12). Just add commercial grade pizza. Drink to 2013.
88 points
Fine for the $12 discount price sure, but outside of your local Uncle Dans Fosters expects people to pay $22 a bottle for this, at which point the value here isn't so favourable.
ReplyDeleteChrist! Right you are - I must shop around a bit more!
ReplyDeleteNah, it just goes to show the inequities that exist between RRP and 'discount retail' for many big commercial wine brands.
ReplyDelete