WTN: Bundarra Wines Bin 131 Hermitage 1975

The precursor to what now is Bailey's Red Stripe Shiraz. A recent auction purchase at a cost of next to nothing. High shoulder but no leakage, cork extracted in one piece, massive alcohol level not stated on bottle.

Back label reads -

"Produced from Shiraz grapes .... in the Taminick Valley near Glenrowan, this wine is outstanding in its intensity of colour and flavour and its abundance of soft tannin - a fine Bailey big red, which has current drinking appeal and is ideal for lengthy cellaring. Bin 131 was selected and reserved for the Oak Barrel."

Only 2900 bottles of this limited release produced!

I smelt the alcohol as soon as the cork was pulled. The wine reeks of it. To its credit, the colour is amazingly deep ruby with an almost black core and holds thick viscous tears on the inside of the glass. Its considerable age only apparent with some bricking in the outer edge. Streams of spiritous alcohol waft from the glass. There's a strong suggestion of dill-infused, slightly volatile US oak, some licorice, plenty of raw green cedar, crushed ants and old saddle leather - in totality, something approaching a dry version of a traditional Australian vintage port. In the mouth the wine exhibits a thick chewy texture with a port-like intensity, plenty of glycerine, abundant "dead-fruit" character, old dusty oak and masses of alcohol in the dry, spiritous finish. Stangely enough the wine doesn't taste that "old" - although I found it incredibly hard to drink even a small glass - it's monolithic and alcoholic personality a complete turn-off! 78 points at my most generous best.

Guess it's a good thing you picked it up for next to nothing, eh David? Sounds dreadfully unpleasant!

Guess it's a good thing you picked it up for next to nothing, eh David? Sounds dreadfully unpleasant!

Yes, not one of the better examples, Cynthia. Strange thing is, I rarely write up a wine as bad as this, although, perhaps we all should keep up to speed with the descriptors associated with faulty/tired/unpleasant offerings and do it on a more regular basis. Luckily, I don't have/come across too many wines' at this end of the quality spectrum!