Here are some notes from an earlier tasting in September 2006.

‘Legendary winemaker, the late Maurice O’Shea founded the Hunter Valley’s Mount Pleasant winery in 1921. This wine is a tribute to Maurice O’Shea, a true visionary, who is acclaimed as one of Australia’s greatest winemakers.’

That’s how the label reads on the 2003 Maurice O’Shea shiraz!

The 2003 is a stunner of a wine – rich, full-bodied, chocolate, licorice and spice on the nose and complete balance on the palate. Fine, silky tannins and well-integrated fruit complete the picture. How is this possible in a wine that is still so young?

And from this recent tasting in August 2014 …

The colour is still crimson red with just a little brick on the edges.

Nose has blackberries, ripe plums, earth and pepper spice.

Although 14.5%, the palate feels only medium bodied and very elegant; still with the blackberries, plums and earth, but we also noted a raspberry/confectionary element in there that was unusual. The tannins are still grippy and the finish is very long.

I suspect that cork condition is going to play a part in the future of my remaining bottles, what a great excuse to find an occasion to try another.