Marius Symphony Shiraz 2012

"Roger Pike is an extraordinary man, making wines from an extraordinary site. An august wine, due for an August release.

Already, so at ease with itself, so composed. The kind of wine that would saunter into any club and casually commandeer the best Chesterfield in the room, without ruffling any feathers. Has a light floral and vanilla perfume over bright but deep mixed berry fruit, rub of sweet tobacco, sweetness of liquorice and fennel in the back with an edge of cedar wood lending further polish. Medium to full bodied, succulence and wide sweep, yet sharp definition to the high pixel melting tannin, and just-so acidity which lends freshness without any noisy twang. Minerality, yes, whatever that is, it has it. And the length? It would make John Holmes blush. There’s a lot of bullshit wines in this country that get high scores: this is the real deal.  Rated : 97 Points."  Gary Walsh.