I had a pretty strange ride through my five years of Latin classes at high school, but none more so than how our teacher decided to do some of her vocational experiences for us. Case in point, brought to mind by this wine, was she would usually open the school year by making us watch the Stanley Kubrick tunic-and-chariot epic, Spartacus. That she would open the second half of the year with the Jean Claude van Damme movie ‘Bloodsport’ (R-rated for violence, might I add), as it had a ‘similar thing to what gladiators would have gone through’, was bizarre, but welcomed by a room of teenage boys. Anyway, here is a cabernet sauvignon, malbec and shiraz blend from stalwart Langhorne Creek winery Karrawatta. I am Spartacus.
Slick, inky, rich wine of depth, concentration and slippery drinkability. It’s a wine that prods you in the chest and shirtfronts you good and proper, but quickly pats down your collar and straightens your hair. It’s olive-spiked currants, nougat and dark chocolate to sniff on. Treacle-like texture with ripe plum and salt bush going on – indeed a touch salty all up. Good length, nice spice and cedary licks to close. Balance happens well here. Full flavoured, generous red of high volume but finesse.

Rated : 93+ Points
Tasted : FEB 17
Alcohol : 14.6%
Price : $92
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2017 – 2029+
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