This wine, from the excellent 1998 vintage, was released in 2001 to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of the first wines under the
Jacobs Creek brand.

Nowadays, of course, Jacobs Creek is one of the worlds most recognised
[wine] brands, Orlando (Pernod-Ricard) marketing a plethora of wines in the
Jacobs Creek range.

I was given this bottle as a "thank you" from a client, who had, in turn
been gifted the bottle five years ago: it had been stored in somewhat
less-than-ideal-but-not-diabolical conditions in the intervening years.

The cork was a little spongy, but the initial impression in the glass was
deep, inky colour - not what one might expect of a wine in its tenth year.

A ripe, savoury, fruit-intense nose, with surprising complexity

Rich and concentrated with beautifully integrated oak, blackcurrant, with a
hint of eucalyptic mint; add to that a touch of spice (cinnamon and even a
nuance of pepper?), there was also an underlying subtle sweetness, black
berry fruits (cherries and currants) underpinned with nicely resolved
tannins.

The back label states that "this wine can be enjoyed for up to 20 years" -
at the half way mark, I cannot dispute this statement.

--

st.helier