Old Gumper

I have a friend who hates the big blustery Aussie shiraz style - he prefers old style euro wines. Well, sometimes you just have to wait. Take this wine, uncovered from a corner of my "cellar". A mid-price fruit driven new world wine that you would think should be drunk within 5 years. But the Hamilton, Gumpers Block, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, 1997 would fool many in a blind taste. It's still quite opaque but has the bricky rim that gives away it's age. On the nose it's all dirty socks - those of you who love stinky nosed wines, this is right down your alley. On tasting it, first comes tobacco with a hint of black fruit, followed by, of all things, green peppers and spice. This is definitely more on the vegetal side unlike it's fruity youth. And it's a revelation with roast chicken - smooth and elegant.
Overall, a good wine, especially with food.
So, try shoving a few bottles of those thick bodied fruit bombs away for a while, they don't cost much and you might be surprised (a complex euro "food" wine like this would cost you at least double). It ran for about $20 or so 10 years ago, newer vintages are similar in price.
I'll let you know what we think when we do a blind head-to- head of my last bottle of this vintage with a newer one.
Cheers!!