TNs from in-store tasting 7/3: Z-H Riesling '07 & Elderton Command '

Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Alsace 2007

Color: Pale gold with lemon highlights, clean, clear

Nose: Apricot and ripe stone fruits, honey

Palate: Peach pit and lemon zest, chalky minerality, acidity med +, long finish of apricot and white flowers.

Overall impression: Loved this for it’s fruit components yet very low RS. I would have like to see a little higher acidity, but the complexity of it on the palate was just wonderful.

Elderton Shiraz The Command 2002 Barossa Australia

Color: Dark ruby/Saturated purple, clean

Nose: Rich blackraspberry, black pepper, spicebox aromas, and new leather.

Palate: Black raspberry, plum, tobacco, acidity med. +, tannins were soft, sweet, and well integrated, finish was long on black plum.

Overall impression: This is one of my favorite Barossa Shirazes because although it is brawny in the style of the region, it also has elegance as opposed to just extraction. I think they have also kept it very fairly priced ($75.00) and although they have been making it for a while, I don’t think it gets the attention it deserves.

I have enjoyed plenty of Command Vineyard Shiraz. Lots of folks then they are overly oaked…I just think they need time to come around.