One of the most important elements to making a good wine are the elements.
The elements may well have played a role in an improving Shiraz from Tony McEvoy Estate, rain and soft terrain in Sydney looking to have ripened the fruit up nicely based on the way he has presented of late.
It's a Shiraz that has always looked quite good, winning a few medals at low-key wine shows in 2014, but after another six months in the cellar Shiraz has really come of age, posting back-to-back wins and earning a rating with top sommeliers Timeform of 109+; a rating that puts him in firmly in the mix for gold at the Aurie's Star Wine Show.
The query now is can the vignerons at Tony McEvoy Estate produce a similarly good Shiraz on the firmer soil at Chateau Flemington? They are certainly no stranger to success here. Their Grange equivalent Fields Of Omagh was a gold medal winner in the Aurie's Star of 2002 and since then they have entered lesser known wines that have consistently outperformed their price tag.
This year's Shiraz looks better suited, and despite being more expensive than their recent vintages we think he still represents a bit of value for shoppers at early quotes.
Of course a good wine is always made better by a top meal and punters at Flemington on Saturday can dine out on Orient Line at the each way odds.
1000m is short of his best trip but a Benchmark 84 is short of his class and with good early pressure engaged it would come as no surprise if he could round these up on his way to better things.
The $8.00 available looks a perfect nightcap.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 7 #3 Shiraz @ $2.25
Each Way Play: Race 8 #8 Orient Line @ $8.00
