Chalk Hill Sidetrack Mclaren Vale 2011 $27 ★★★½11_sidetrack

This is a lush, spicy blend of shiraz and grenache which carries an exotic, slightly medicinal aroma that wraps around slightly earthy characters like prunes and pepper.  There’s also a lovely smoky, nutty note and a long, gently savoury finish. Winemaker Jock Harvey fashioned the Sidetrack in tribute to his father, Chalk Hill’s founder John Harvey.  Apparently John was a great starter but a rather useless finisher of things… Sip this wine with sticky lamb shanks on creamy polenta.

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