I understand what Matt Burton is trying to achieve here, but I can't see how it has gone so wrong. It's worth noting that I am a big fan of Matt's wines - they are precise and represent their region of origin well. But this Shiraz II just misses the mark and then some.
The words that come to mind after swirling the glass, taking a whiff and then my initial inspection are rich, stewed, baked dense, warming and spicy - not the start I was hoping for.
It's quite ripe compared to other wines from the district that Matt produces, not to mention others I've seen from Canberra, although it's said to be 13.5% alcohol.
Caramel, Christmas cake richness and reductive things consume the flavour profile. It has a respectable length, but much of that is spice and warmth and not necessarily in a good way. I'd like to put this down to vintage variation, but at the same time, this is a multi-vintage blend, so there goes that theory.
It's hard to place this release. I couldn't have a glass and I'm unsure what I'd match it with due to the factors mentioned above dominating and taking over. I'll pass this time.
84/100
Region: Canberra
