Day 1: Medium to full bodied wine. Bright red on the look, bright red fruit on the nose, bright red fruit on the palate. Very much what you see is what you get with this one. Big alcohol content too, and there is enough heat to let you know it is there, but not enough to be cloying. Round mouthfeel, lingering spicy finish, typical of this region's shiraz. One-dimensional? Yes, but still very enjoyable.
Day 2: The nose suggested the wine had turned bad, but the palate said it was okay. Substantially sweeter than day one, and I would not let this go to a day 3. Certainly not as good as the first day though, and I'd recommend drinking as soon as it is opened. No decanting needed for this wine.
Overall it is far from perfect, but it is a fun, simple, tasty wine, and the QPR is off the charts.
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(Engine Room Shiraz) Dark red violet color; vanilla, caramel, boysenberry ripple nose; boysenberry, berry, soft palate with balance and orange acidity; medium finish
(ENGINE ROOM Shiraz) Engine Dear Friends, Here's a recession-buster of a special that most of us would be happy to have laying around the cellar. When guests arrive and you don't know where to turn, turn to this - it's the perfect bottle to greet them with a suave and stylish impact. With one of the more memorable wine labels I've seen (certain to start a conversation), the "hair curler" label is unmistakably Engine Room. From 100% estate fruit (this is not a blend or from cast-off fruit), the quality of the 2005 vintage is apparent immediately - the winery claims this will age for a number of years (at least 6-8) and the depth of fruit backs that up (this wine was never intended to be a bargain/drink-now example). While serious in composition, it is still a velvety wine you can open tonight with abandon and not worry about cost or relative guilt. It has moderate alcohol for Shiraz from the McLaren Vale (14.0-14.5%) and loads of flavor wound around a red and black fruit core - they suggest Indian spiced lamb as a perfect accompaniment and I wouldn't argue. It's a good value, one of the better examples of Vale Shiraz out there. In today's world, it's tough to bring you a wine this good for less than $15 (let alone less than $16-18) - this is not a 100,000 case cuvee of Marquis-Phillips - this is real, boutique level wine from a fastidious producer. The 2005 Engine Room Shiraz will be enjoyed by CdP fans as well and those that lean toward a more silken outlook - a downright great buy from the McLaren Vale: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as a huge amount of bang for your buck. ONE PARCEL ONLY at this price, what should be about the same as in Adelaide: 2005 Engine Room Shiraz McLaren Vale (Shottesbrooke) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus4788
NOTE: Some content is property of The WINEFRONT and Vinous and RJonWine.com and Garagiste.
5/9/2011 - alexrad wrote: 92 Points
Delicious and fruity. Not too alcoholic, but not shy at all. Just the right balance and acidity in a typical Aussie Shiraz.
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7/14/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
A little higher up on the hillsides than the white, 25% new american oak, and a blend of 1 and 2 year and stainless steel.
Touches of Mclaren fruit on the nose but not all that strong. A bit faded really, done.
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7/11/2010 - Rednorthstar wrote: 90 Points
Day 1: Medium to full bodied wine. Bright red on the look, bright red fruit on the nose, bright red fruit on the palate. Very much what you see is what you get with this one. Big alcohol content too, and there is enough heat to let you know it is there, but not enough to be cloying. Round mouthfeel, lingering spicy finish, typical of this region's shiraz. One-dimensional? Yes, but still very enjoyable.
Day 2: The nose suggested the wine had turned bad, but the palate said it was okay. Substantially sweeter than day one, and I would not let this go to a day 3. Certainly not as good as the first day though, and I'd recommend drinking as soon as it is opened. No decanting needed for this wine.
Overall it is far from perfect, but it is a fun, simple, tasty wine, and the QPR is off the charts.
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1/21/2010 - JasonNYC1 wrote:
Okay wine. A bit flat and one dimensional. All nose with little follow through in the mouth.
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11/6/2009 - JCGuthrie wrote: 86 Points
Slightly tart; not as smooth of a finish as expected
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