Wolf Blass Black Label 2017

A wine with extraordinary pedigree including four (say it again – F.O.U.R.) Jimmy Watson Trophies during its nigh-on 50-year history. The blending of regions and varieties – 51% cabernet sauvignon/ 44% shiraz/ 5% malbec – speaks of the enormous resource available to this producer, so it’s not surprising the fruit power here is indelible, enhanced at the start by savoury earthiness and trademark house dark mocha. The cabernet provides just enough varietal essence to suggest blackcurrant/ cassis as well as typically blackberry and dark skinned/dark fleshed plums, which, after 17 months in mostly French, with 8% American, oak has added spice and complexity without dominating the flavours or adding weight, allowing fruit acidity to remain energised even with a prominent curtain of tannin. Drinking well now and will certainly develop further complexities over the next 10-20 years in a good cellar.  

Tony Love

Journalist at Winepilot

Tony is best known for his 10 years as News Corp’s National Wine Writer, with weekly columns in major metropolitan mastheads throughout Australia including The Adelaide Advertiser, The Sydney Daily Telegraph and the Melbourne Herald Sun. He continues to write feature articles and columns for all the major Australian wine media publications. Tony has also worked as a restaurant reviewer, section editor, book editor, digital content provider, journalism teacher and was named Wine Communicators of Australia 2018 Legend of the Vine (SA). Find out more about Tony at tonylove.com.au

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