Massena The Howling Dog Petite Syrah 2008

Archived Wines » Massena The Howling Dog Petite Syrah 2008

Region Barossa Valley, SA
Type Red
Size 750ml
Alcohol 14.5%

Ominous colours stain the glass as you swirl the 2008 release of this wine. There's no doubting this is petite syrah, or durif, right down to its black heart. Tar, blackcurrants, burnt sugar,vanilla and baking spice present on the nose. Rich red and black curranty flavours power through the palate which is harnessed by dense melted caramel tannins. Cinnamon, citrus rind and anise along with some earthy notes add more layers and depth. Further richness comes via dark chocolate, sweet cherry, plum pudding and brown spice. A monolithic wine suited to the hearty flavours we're all looking to enjoy at the table this winter. Give it a good hour in the decanter to allow the layered flavours and aromas to fully express themselves. -JP

This wine is
no longer available.

92Points

Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar

says:

Inky purple. Pungent aromas of cassis, boysenberry, cola, violet and candied licorice. Broad, deeply concentrated dark berry flavors show liqueur-like power and intensity, with notes of spicecake and licorice pastille adding nuance. Chewy tannins come up with aeration and linger on the long, clinging finish. Nothing shy about this mouthfilling wine, which needs a strongly seasoned piece of red meat alongside it.

92Points

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

says:

Sweet, spicy, raisiny - it's rum and raisin to a tee. It tastes of tar and blackberry and sweet raspberries too, but its sweet shrivelled sultana flavours are the main impression. Sure makes it gluggable. Sure loads it up with 'gobfuls of fruit'. It becomes measured (i.e. tannic, but not as assertively so as you might expect of the variety) through the finish and is bound to lots of enjoyment for big red wine drinkers.

Winery Story Other wines from Massena

Purple Palate