R Wines Skulls 2008

R Wines
Skulls 2008
Southern Australia, Australia

$20-24 +172825 available at BC Liquor Stores & select private liquor retailers

Look directly at the label and tell me what you see. A man falling from a tree? Or a human skull?  Step back and take another boo. You don’t even need to have been drinking to be mesmerized by this artistic illusion, an illustration by artist Istvan Orosz titled Ship of Fools. However, be forewarned: if you drank a whole bottle of this heavyweight bruiser (16.9% alcohol!!!), you’d just be seeing stars (or be passed out).

The 16.9% alcohol is certainly evident – from first nostril cleansing sniff to the slow warmth down your throat. But it wasn’t a mistake. R Wines was founded in 2005 by partners Dan Philips and Chris Ringland – Ringland being regarded as amongst Australia’s most gifted winemakers. Evidently now in receivership, R Wines produced wines from vineyards all over Australia including Riesling from Western Australia, Pinot Noir from Victoria, Shiraz from McLaren Vale and the Barossa. Skulls 2008 is 100% Shiraz, born from 20-60 year old Barossa vines and raised in American oak. Deep dark purple in hue, with high intensity candied red and black herbed licorice notes, Skulls shows a super concentrated palate of polished black fruit, floral spice, smoke and vanilla. The finish is inky black licorice. Even with all of this ripe and massive fruit, the alcohol is evident (no illusion could mask 17%). If you like huge, concentrated, heat-packing reds, pick one up. If you like delicate Pinot Noir, keep on looking. This wine, and its label, is not for the feint of heart. A monstrous wine – perfectly fitting for Halloween.

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R Wines Skulls 2008

Skulls 2008 is 100% Shiraz, born from 20-60 year old Barossa vines and raised in American oak. Deep dark purple in hue, with high intensity candied red and black herbed licorice notes, Skulls shows a super concentrated palate of polished black fruit, floral spice, smoke and vanilla. The finish is inky black licorice. Even with all of this ripe and massive fruit, the alcohol is evident (no illusion could mask 17%). This wine, and its label, is not for the feint of heart. A monstrous wine – perfectly fitting for Halloween.