Thirsty Thursday: 2005 Layer Cake Shiraz, Australia

I'm taking a (very) short break from NCAA tournament action to do the weekly wine review.

Ok, but first, full disclosure: I ended up switching my pick on tonight's game to VCU over Duke. And for once, I couldn't be happier that Duke lost. VCU stayed with them all game and deserved to win after DeMarcus Nelson INEXCUSABLY forced a score too early on their final legitimate possession and left the door open for Eric Maynor (who, by the way, is a total stud with NBA potential) to hit the game winning shot from the stripe.

Anyway, tonight I have selected Layer Cake Shiraz for the review. And I chose it for a very specific reason: it's a screwcap wine. DO NOT BE AFRAID! Wine in a bottle with a screwcap does not necessarily mean you are getting plonk. In fact, some of the world's finest wines are converting to screwcaps (and even, dear God, boxes). So let tonight be a lesson, just because you don't need a wine tool to open it, doesn't mean the wine won't be above average, as indeed tonight's selection was. And with that, on to the notes!

Lovely chocolate and white pepper on the nose are met with a velvety smooth coffee and fresh fall spice dominated palate. The finish seems to linger for days and leaves no impression that this wine, young as it is, is 14.5% alcohol by volume. The wonderful tastes are further accented by the layered textures and flavors of this tight, concenrated wine.

My rating: 94, Purchased at Mall Discount Liquors, Cambridge, $14.99