- Clare Valley, SA - $15-$25
- Cork
- 14.0%alc
If you happen to be a thrifty sparkling red aficionado who's tried Leasingham's terrific 2004 Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz, then you'll be happy to know there's another, cheaper 2004 Clare Valley sparkling shiraz currently available from the Hardys group. On a more personal note, I'm not sure I appreciate the way Oomoo has spread its wings so far beyond McLaren Vale now, but the value for money in this wine is nothing to sneer at.
Paying homage to its superb vintage, the 2004 Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz lets loose a glowing array of purple plum, mulberry and cherry aromas, all lifted with radiant vitality for its age. There are sly hints of soft spice, shaved chocolate and a developing leathery edge too, which coat its primary fruits with savoury grace. Brightly flavoured and fresh as a daisy, the palate hits all the right spots within its context. It pumps out a deliciously medium-bodied, smooth and somewhat elegant arrangement of vivid varietal fruits with earthy, aniseedy undertones, complemented by a fair caress of finesse throughout the movement. Wrapped up by a fine conclusion which tightens right on cue, its finish is properly balanced and dry, presenting a wonderful persistence of sweet fruit and vanilla oak, which eventually give way to farewell notes of cola and dry leaf. A little bit of time and air only enlightens the experience.
ü+ $16 and 7 years old already? I'll be damned! Hardys' 2004 Oomoo is as good a sub-$20 sparkling red as I can recall. I'd love to see it in another 3-5 years, it's that good. Drink to 2016.
92 points
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteWhere did you happen to find the Oomoo sparkling? I have been struggling to find it in many retailers (and online for buying anything less than a case!)
(Incidentally, I have a 2004 Lesingham Classic Clare waiting for a special occasion too!)
Teddy,
ReplyDeleteI've been buying the 04 Oomoo wines from a Cellarbrations liquor store. I don't think they do online sales, but if you're in the Adelaide area it was the Flagstaff Hill store. Hardys at Reynella would probably be a good bet too.
Cheers,
Chris P
Thanks for the tip, Chris! I'm in Adelaide in a fortnight, so I'll have to make a quick trip out there.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Teddy
Hey Chris, look what popped up today: http://skyecellars.ewinerysolutions.com/index.cfm?method=homepage.showpage
ReplyDeleteI owe a debt of gratitude to Mick (http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/10/20/christmas-in-october-a-festive-shiraz/) for the tip-off.
Hooley dooley! That's insane value! It's even better because I went into that Flagstaff Hill Cellarbrations on the weekend and they were plum out!
ReplyDeleteCheers! Now just gotta figure my way out to Skye. . .
CP
Hold on, just checked the fine print, online only. Still, just saved myself a waste of a trip to Skye. :)
ReplyDeleteBig cheers once again Teddy,
Chris P
My pleasure! That price includes postage anywhere in Oz too. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteFrom what Mick had told me, I gather that these may have been tagged for export to Japan, but never got shipped (perhaps because of the dollar). Our gain!!
Put me order in yesterdee.... :)
ReplyDelete