Gotham Langhorne Creek / McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004

Just for something different and to celebrate the umpteenth day of rain, I decided to crack open an old favourite.
I am lucky to still have a few bottles left of this and I remember how unique it was (especially when left to breath for a long time)
So that's what I did and Wow!! This wine was so good.
Smooth and full, there was a definite honey-like aroma and taste, but definitely not over the top.
It has developed over the last year or two since I bought them and this has inspired me to leave the rest alone for another few years.
Sorry that I can't provide better tasting notes, but I was in no state to be typing last night and there was not more than a whiff left in the decanter. Suffice to say that both Jean and I were more than impressed with how smooth and distinctive this wine had become.

Gotham wines would have to be Australia's best niche reds. I was lucky to stumble across this one (because of the label) and have enjoyed every vintage since.

Price - Not available anymore, but was under $10 at auction a few years back.
Rating - 90 (I would get this again in an instant if I could)

Gotham Langhorne Ck/ Mclarenvale Shiraz 2004

Ok, I think I may have already mentioned that I bought this for the label, but I have bought a few dozen of it quite cheaply at auction online and as a sub $10 wine it's quite distinctive. It definitely has a flavour of it's own.

I have learnt that to really enjoy this wine it needs to be left overnight once opened, it seems to take on a life of it's own and really develops some quite striking honey characteristics after a day or two in the bottle. Something I like for it's uniqueness.

It's still a little punchy (not sure if that's the word, but that seems right) and although it can be smooth, it's not and easy drinker. Still, that's what you get and I think you either like that, or don't.

I have had a few really high quality wines lately and they have put this Gotham back a little. It's not bad, but there are better for just a little more.

You really do have to love the label though :)

Drinkability 88

Value 88

Price $8 (Grays Online)

Gotham Langhorne Ck/ Mclarenvale Shiraz 2004

Ok. Now I have to admit that we bought this bottle for the label. I mean... how cool is that? :)

But we had tried the 2006 Gotham and really, it wasn't bad for a sub $10 wine.

This however, I bought for about $13 a bottle at auction with Grays Online. I did pay a little more than I thought, but only because I stupidly didn't notice it was only 6 bottles, not 12. Doh.

However, this wine blows the 2006 away (not just in the label either)(though Jean says she like the 2006 label too...) it's a richer, full bodied Shiraz and packs a punch at 15+% alcohol !!!

It has a fruity nose and very long lingering palate that belies it's price. It gets decent reviews and I can see why. It's not the style I prefer personally, but really at sub $15 a bottle, it makes good drinking. I think it's probably best with steak or some wanky game meat... or a really strong cheese. I'm going to stalk Grays and try to get this even cheaper. It's worth it.

Drinkaility 88
Value 92
Price $13 (auction grays online)