Robert Oatley Vineyards James Oatley Tic Tok Shiraz 2008

Frankland River, Mudgee, McLaren Vale, Australia
Tweet
Natalie's Score: 87/100 Community Score: 4.4/5 Community Reviews: 3 Add My Review Product #: 187187 Wine Type: Red Wine	Price: $15.95 Alcohol: 14% Drink: 2010-2015 Sweetness: Dry Bottle size: 750 ml Winery: Robert Oatley Vineyards Agent: Profile Wine Group
More Vintages: 2010 2009

Note: I publish batches of reviews that I call Good Values Wine Picks. These are from the regular section of the liquor store rather than the Vintages section, and tend to be lower priced and the most widely available of all wines. The last four reviews I did were: May 22, March 7, January 4 and December 16.

Tasting note:

Juicy and tasty with fleshy-ripe plums and berries. Wonderful richness to this round, full-bodied red. Food matches: steak, stew, spicy BBQ dishes.

Reviewed October 4, 2010 by Natalie MacLean

More Reviews

Opinions about wine differ greatly as the experience is subjective. You may find it helpful to compare this critical evaluation of the wine with mine as well as your own:

With interests spanning winemaking, agriculture, yachting and more recently tourism, the Oatleys are more than just wine producers. The first two Australian generations were clockmakers. Bob Oatley’s heritage begins in the early days of Australia’s settlement, when his great, great grandfather James was banished for life from England to the penal colony of Sydney. Thankfully James’ clock making talents were soon recognized and he became the colony’s most highly regarded clock and watch maker.

From the Oatley family vineyards in Mudgee comes a wine style reflecting old world wine influences as well as contemporary international tastes. It’s the beginning of a second Australian wine renaissance grounded in a sense of place and tradition, led by the vision of Australia’s first wine statesman.

Bob Oatley and his family are once again playing a key role in setting a new direction for Australian wine. Focused on creating wines with flavours that instil a lasting impression, James Oatley TIC TOK reinterprets the Aussie style with the subtlety required for today’s culinary fare.

“We’ve crafted James Oatley TIC TOK in tribute to my great-great grandfather,” says Bob Oatley, “and I am thrilled that the label was designed by my grandson James, yet another of my grandchildren who’ve joined the business.”
TIC TOK Shiraz is contemporary and has the complexity and length that reflects its unusual provenance – a blend of Frankland River WA (60%), Mudgee NSW (30%) and McLaren Vale SA (10%). The numerous separate parcels were fermented on skins (for colour, tannin and flavour) for 12-14 days, with moderate pump-overs to keep the tannins soft rather than firm. The majority of the blend was matured in one to two year old French oak for 15 months, with a portion kept in stainless steel to retain vibrant fruit characters.
Its deep colour leads to a ripe, rich fruitcake aroma along with some spicy characters. Generous in the mouth, the red berry fruits give way to nutmeg, mocca and dark chocolate notes, rounded tannins and a firm finish.
James Halliday rated this wine 89 points in his 2011 Australian Wine Companion.

If you liked this wine, you might also like these: