RK by Giaconda Shiraz 2008

Beechworth, Victoria, Australia. Shiraz. 13.9%. Screwcap. Approx $A40

As with the Jack Reidy by Clonakilla, this is only available through one particular national retailer. It's an interesting exercise, tapping some of Australia's leading boutique producers for an exclusive line of wines. I'm a convert, happily picking up some of this, the Reidy and the RK Chardonnay.

I liked this. It does remind me (a lot) of the more expensive Giaconda Warner Shiraz, and it does nod to the Northern Rhone with its meatiness, though the note of eucalyptus on the nose is an early give away.

Enamel staining purple and black. Changeable and complex. To begin there is meat, pepper and a round soft note of vanilla. Crushed berries, bay leaf and eucalyptus. Powerful and in comparison to the last wine I tried (an 07 Rhone Syrah), sweet. Concentrated and multi-layered, this has a lovely silkiness and flow, while the tannins are seamlessly fine, creamy and emulsion like.

Very good - excellent.
92.
Now - 2018.

I've given this the same rating as the Clape Le Vin des Amis. Which of course highlights the absurdity of rating wine. I enjoyed both, and would happily buy more of each. I would also encourage a side by side taste test. The Clape is more beautifully scented, but it also has a hardness, with chalky, almost block like tannins. The RK has more flow, fat and sweetness. It is curved rather than angular.