LINDEMANS BIN 50 SHIRAZ 2007
Lindemans is one of South Eastern Australia's oldest and largest winemakers. For a couple of decades now it has been just about my favorite budget brand in the world. For as cheaply and readily available its basic products are, their wines are remarkably ... Read review
Advantages: Inexpensive but a decent wine Disadvantages: None
=== LINDEMANS BIN 50 SHIRAZ 2007 ===
Lindemans is one of South Eastern Australia's oldest and largest winemakers. For a couple of decades now it has been just about my favorite budget brand in the world. For as cheaply and readily available its basic products are, their wines are remarkably consistent. The base price of their standard line of wines is around £7, but they are usually on offer at one of the supermarkets ... ...produce wines in mass quantities, Lindemans wines are probably as much a work of science as they are of art. The wine making process is fairly standardized and there is a lot of effort made to do things track the temperature of the vineyards where the grapes are growing in order to achieve a consistently good yield of wine. The wines are blended to be drinkable upon release rather than to benefit from further aging.
Lindemans is one of South Eastern Australia's oldest and largest winemakers. For a couple of decades now it has been just about my favorite budget brand in the world. For as cheaply and readily available its basic products are, their wines are remarkably consistent. The base price of their standard line of wines is around £7, but they are usually on offer at one of the supermarkets for around £4. That's what I paid for this bottle, the 2007 Bin 50 Shiraz from Sainsburys.
Like a lot of Australian producers that produce wines in mass quantities, Lindemans wines are probably as much a work of science as they are of art. The wine making process is fairly standardized and there is a lot of effort made to do things track the temperature of the vineyards where the grapes are growing in order to achieve a consistently good yield of wine. The wines are blended to be drinkable upon release rather than to benefit from further aging.
This doesn't sound like the type of methodology that is very promising to make a quality bottle of wine, but year in and year out I end up being impressed by Lindemans wines. Maybe not blown away, but I am consistently satisfied with their products and find them more than adequate as an everyday tipple. Shiraz is full bodied red varietal that is grows well in Australia, and of which the 2007 Bin 50 from Lindemans is perfectly nice example.
THE GRAPE
This grape is known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia. The grape is thought to be named for a city in Persia (Shiraz) where it probably originated. It produces full rich wines of intense colour and flavour. The grape was introduced to Australia in 1832, it is now the most widely planted red grape variety in Australia where it is sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or occasionally with Mourvedre.
WHERE'S IT FROM?
In South Eastern Australia, with significant proportions from Sunraysia, Padthaway and Coonawarra.
THE WINE
The nose changes a bit as the wine opens. The initial aroma upon pouring is peppery, with a light herbal content and an astringent twinge. As it sits in the glass, more and more fruit comes out, first plums and then strawberries. The colour in the glass is a deep, inky red. The label proclaims this bottling to have an ABV of 13.5%, but it doesn't really taste that strong. The taste is pleasing. The pepper is right there in the foretaste, giving way to a satisfying mouthful of fruit and a good lingering finish.
As was the case with the scent of the wine, the taste of the fruit lightens from plums to berries as the wine takes in the air. This vintage exerts the same quality I expect from Lindemans, but it is much lighter in body and the tannins are even smoother than usually.
Again, I have to question the 13.5% figure. I would guess there is more like a 12% alcohol content to this wine than the cited figure, but that's fine--ABV is only important if you are trying to get drunk, the way I see it.
The 2007 Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz is, as usual, a great value for the price.
It isn't a special bottle of wine, but it is heads and tails above most wine made at such a low price . It is lighter bodied wine than I expected, and can be paired with lighter foods in addition to the usual assortment of meats.
FOOD MATCHES
What foods will this wine go well with?
This wine is big enough to handle steaks, lamb and game with ease. It is also good with pasta, spicy, chocolate and - naturally - chocolate!
Advantages: Fruity, pleasant taste Disadvantages: Lacks body, has watery consistency
...picked up a bottle of Lindemans Shiraz. It was in the medium price range, along with two of my favorites: McGuigans and Rosemount Estates. Tonight, Lindemans was on offer at $1 off (making it $9.99 per bottle vs $10.99). I was anxious to get home, relax, and give it a try.
I must say that I have been disappointed. In comparison with some of my favorite brands of Shiraz, Lindemans seems a bit "watery." Although it has that wonderful fruity taste, ... ...Lindemans is produced in South Eastern Australia. According to the label on the bottle, Lindemans vineyards has been producing wines since 1843. One would expect that with more than 150 years experience in the business of producing wines, a better product would exported. Also, with an alcohol content of 13.5%, one would expect a heartier wine.
Perhaps I simply got a "bad batch." But, based on this particular bottle, I cannot recommend Lindemans ...
Pelenya 13.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Lindemans Shiraz
Advantages: Fantastic flavour, moderate price. Disadvantages: None if consumed in moderation.
...is not always easy. However, LINDEMANS Bin 50 Shiraz fits the bill perfectly (and it's fantastic with dark chocolate).
The grape:
Syrah, is a classic French grape used in the production of wine. The Syrah grape is known by the Australians as Shiraz (after the town of Shiraz where it supposedly originated).
The wine:
Bin 50 Shiraz 2007 is a full bodied, well balanced wine with plum and spice flavours. It is a medium wine - not overly sweet but ... ...diet.
In my experience, LINDEMANS produce complex, high quality wines at everyday prices (in this case around £7) and this Shiraz is one of their best. Don't buy 2005 as this seems to have been a bad year for all shiraz, but other than that it's well worth trying - look out for special offers in most of the large supermarkets.
For more information on LINDEMANS wines visit: www.lindemans.com
In conclusion, this is a lovely spicy plum and vanilla ...
treaclepins 02.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Lindemans Shiraz
Advantages: The anticipation Disadvantages: The end of the bottle
...stumbled across a bottle of Lindemans Shiraz, and decided it would be wrong not to give it a good home. Slightly more expensive than your average bottle of Shiraz, which retails at about 4 or 5 quid, Lindemans set me back £7.99. As I unscrewed the cork, I waited with eager anticipation.
After a brief airing (I couldnt wait any longer), I tasted my first glass. I let the smell burst up my nose, and drank what was clearly a superior brand of Shiraz. ... ...at least 3-fold, and it was clear to me that 150 years of wine production somewhere in Australia (I forget exactly where) had been well spent.
At a somewhat meagre 13.5% vol, I did wonder why they hadnt added an extra kick, but after my first glass, I could see that the value for money was in the flavour, and not the alcohol content.
If you like fruity Shiraz, then snap this little baby up from the supermarket the next time you are there. Sure, ...
Stoobie 26.02.2004
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If you read my opinion about Lindeman's Shiraz, you already know that I am a lover of Shiraz wine, especially the Australian varieties.
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