Lindeman’s is one of a few brands, Yellow Tail and The Little Penguin being other notable examples, of affordable good quality wines from Australia.  In general, these groups make a straight forward, inoffensive and decently palatable wine that doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles.  This makes them perfect wines to explore new things, or find new daily drinkers.  With the over production of wine in some areas, it also means these large conglomerates can offer rebates, meaning that occasionally, you can get a case of 1.5 L for $5.50 a bottle or so.

This is Lindeman’s 2010 Bin 50 Shiraz, and it’s worth remembering that it’s not quite as young as it sounds, due to the fact that the southern hemisphere’s growing season is reversed from the norther.  Therefore harvest happens most often between February and April, meaning the wine is closer to a year old, rather than 6 months.

Sight: Light ruby edges, purple core.  Still looks a bit young.

Smell: Cherries and plums mingle with vanilla.  Minor fig and prune make appearances in passing. The wine smells a bit hot (alcohol laden).

Sip: Black currant, cherries, and plums lead off, but are steamrollered by an oak barrel.  In it’s wake is primarily smoke, sawdust, a bit of vanilla, and a touch of figs with cloves.  The mouth feel is moderate, the acid toward the lesser side of moderate, and the alcohol makes you very aware of it’s presence. [ABV 13.5%]

Savor: Strong tannins prevail with a smoky vanilla chai flavor.

Overall, the wine isn’t bad, but there’s something about the amount of oak present that tastes sort of artificial.  It seems as though perhaps the wine spent the entirety of the 12 months in the barrel, with a bunch of wood chips, and some more wood from the cooperage (barrel making warehouse) for good measure.  This wine is definitely for those that enjoy their wood charred and well ahead of the fruit in the wine.

Price: $9.95 / 1.5 L (Roughly $6 after mail in rebate)
South Eastern Australia
http://www.lindemans.com/