An Old Friend: Jim Barry 1999 The McRae Wood

Jim Barry 1999 The McRae Wood

It’s been a while since I went to the cellar for a bottle of wine.  I’ve been drinking less of late and when I have indulged it has either been out on the town or tasting a new South American or Spanish wine.  It’s also that time of the year when I start to drink more refreshing whites than the old sultry reds.  Hearing the call, I went to the cellar to find probably one of the first bottles of wine I ever bought after discovering and falling in love with a real red.  This wine changed my life – well OK, my outlook on wine.  The year was 2001 and the bottle is a Jim Barry 1999 McRae Wood.  I loved the wine in 2001.  I appreciate the wine now in 2009.

The vineyard was planted in 1964 with Shiraz on land Jim Barry purchased from Duncan McRae Wood.  The vines that produce this wine surround the ones that make my absolute favorite Shiraz in the entire world – Jim Barry’s Armagh.  The alcohol content is a bit high at 14.5%, but one does not notice as this wine begs lingering attention.

For those not familiar with this wine, it’s a true Australian Shiraz from Clare Valley.  Mark Barry is the second generation winemaker and very proud of his creation.  He should be.  The wine still had fabulous color and a lot of fruit.  The aromas of blackberry, licorice, and mocha are still very prominent in comparison to the hints of American and French oak.  The tannin structure is still there as well and the wine still produces a long smooth finish.   While this redhead’s kiss has softened – her legs are still long.  Date night was thoroughly enjoyable.   I only wish I had taken time to make a meal deserving of this nice trip down memory lane.  I’d give it a rating of 92 points.