{"product_id":"2005-bests-great-western-thomson-family-shiraz-750ml","title":"2005 Best's Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz 750ml","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest's Thomson Family Shiraz is a flagship wine from Great Western, Victoria, produced from some of Australia's oldest Shiraz vines, originally planted by Henry Best in 1868. Made only in exceptional vintages, this distinguished wine combines remarkable concentration, elegance and longevity with the character of its historic vineyard origins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVineyard \u0026amp; Viticulture\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Thomson Family Shiraz is produced predominantly from fifteen rows of original 1868 Shiraz vines, recorded as \"Hermitage\" in Henry Best's daily journal. These historic vines are associated with the Concongella clone, also known as the Best's Old Block clone, which became the mother clone for subsequent Shiraz plantings at Best's Great Western.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYields are restricted to less than two tonnes per acre (four tonnes per hectare), with fruit meticulously hand-harvested, selected and sorted. First produced in 1993, Thomson Family Shiraz is released only in exceptional years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow-average winter rainfall in 2004 restricted yields as the vines struggled to find water. Welcome summer rains subsequently brought about an even, low-stress ripening period for the 2005 vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eProducer Tasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Vintage Tasting Notes — Best's Great Western\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBeautiful deep purple hues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBouquet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRipe and generous fruit on the nose, deep dark berries. Varietal shiraz grape aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRich and detailed, layers of complex, finely interwoven fruit and tannin supported ably by fine French oak. Long and powerful finish with soft crumbling tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecent Tasting Assessment — Jacob Parton and Winemaking Team\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTasted July 2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuby red, cherry ripe aroma. Dark cherry plum, dark berry bramble, cedar, tannin, dark spice, tight and fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome white Pepper and wet earth, flavours are in the secondary phase tannins have evolved into a slippery viscous mouthcoating experience raspberries and tar 10-12+ years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCritic Reviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96\/100 — The Wine Front\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95\/100 — Tom Cannavan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Rich, pure, lovely fruit richness and supple quality. Very polished this, super-fine tannins and elegant acid balance.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTasted January 2024\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95\/100 — Jeremy Oliver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTasted January 2006\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRecommended Drinking Window: 2035–2045.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95\/100 — James Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"The depth to this wine speaks volumes about the quality of fruit; powerful and full of dark fruits…\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eReviewed 2009\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke — The Real Review\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Palate fleshy and smooth, not big or especially powerful but with lovely texture and balance. Seamless.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2005\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best's Great Western\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomson Family Shiraz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Great Western, Victoria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shiraz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original 1868 Shiraz plantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVine Age:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted in 1868\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-harvested\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYield:\u003c\/strong\u003e Less than 4 tonnes per hectare\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOak:\u003c\/strong\u003e French Oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrinking Window:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2020–2045\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"MW Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67934573920558,"sku":"4416967517","price":599.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/2005_Best_s_Great_Western_Thomson_Family_Shiraz_750ml.png?v=1793944509","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/2005-bests-great-western-thomson-family-shiraz-750ml","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}