Going Strong

It’s all so easy to flip-flop and follow fads and fashions, but staying true to the path will see the best results.  One must stay true to one’s dream and go strong towards it without being lured to deviate.  It doesn’t hurt to examine the alternative paths, and one can have a lot of fun and excitement in doing so, but it can slow down the progress.  Our Little Aussie Battler is a case in point, as she’s a head down person and moves forward, through strength of will.

Graced with the presence of the Little Aussie Battler, it was appropriate we opened a could of wines which show that pursuing long term goal results in rewards.  The 2000 Te Mata ‘Coleraine’ was the perfect example.  Many have suggested that the Te Mata team push for more ripeness, but they reckon the elegant claret model is what they do best, and it’s a classic across the world and has been for ever and a day.  Personally, I’ve been a fan for the riper, bigger 1998 Coleraine, and it is a magnificent wine.  But the 2000, initially on the tighter and leaner side in comparison with the 1998, has shown its true class.  Great finesse and concentrated richness, with everything in perfect proportion.  Lovely depth and fine-grained textures, unfolding layer upon layer of secondary complexities to guild the fruit.  The bottle didn’t last long…

Following was the 2006 Craggy Range ‘Le Sol’ Syrah.  Steve Smith and his team knew that Syrah was going to be special from the start.  The first few vintages were statement wines, but the search for finesse led to a toning down of ripeness, extract and oak.  A cooler vintage such as 2006 is a good thing for the style.  Initially closed and a bit savoury, without the fruitiness seen in new wines.  But developing that real savoury, gamy meaty and spicy lifted floral and pepper tinged Syrah fruit so reminiscent of top northern Rhone.  But cleaner, more modern.  New Worldy, but more than a nod to the Old World.  This won’t last as long as the Coleraine, but it’ll do very well.