Setanta - Cuchulainn Shiraz 2007

 As the name suggests, this family run business has Irish blood running through it's veins. First generation Australians, Sheilagh and Bernard had grown up listening to folklore from their Irish born parents and when Sheilagh married Kiwi, Tony, also of Irish descent, there was no getting away from their heritage. Despite the fact that between the three of them, they had absolutely no wine knowledge apart from appreciation they realised their dream of making wine and with James Halliday rating their winery in the top ten and regularily receiving 5 stars they were obviously born to it.
 Tony and Sheilagh look after the marketing of the company and when it came to naming it , they wanted to keep hold of their Irish connections, Setanta was the obvious choice. Each varietal in the range is named after a mythical character from these yarns. The shiraz I tasted last night is called Cuchulainn but we also stock an Emer Chardonnay and Black Sanglain Cabernet Sauvignon. Love them or hate them their labels are very distinctive, with each label depicting one of the adventures of Setanta.
 Bernard acts as viticulturist and also winemaker which after going back to do a post grad in viticulture and spending time in  cooler climate winemaking countries, he seems to have mastered the technique of winemaking in Adelaide Hills.
It had been a few years since I had tried these wines so decided last night was as good a night as any to be good to myself! Not as dark in the glass as you would expect from an Aussie Shiraz actually more ruby red. Christmas cake fruits were the first thing that jumped out at me from this very aromatic nose with some plums and black licquorice. On the palate, the black licquorice is still there with some complex fruity undertones of plums and prunes. Really good length. This vintage was rated 93 Points with Halliday.

Selling for €21.99 in our Blanchardstown store now.

Till Next Time

Clare
Cellars, the Big WIne Warehouse