Delectable - this is the Sami Odi Our Hill Cuvée. Notes later. 2021 vintage. This is the 2nd ever vintage of Our Hill from Sami-Odi from Shiraz grapes grown in the Eden Valley. The 3rd vintage released earlier this year only had a production of around 280 bottles (weather problems - hail) and sold out in under 30 minutes. I missed out. Delectable has done well to recognise this bottle - very cryptic even on Fraser McKinley’s highly cryptic labelling standards. I made a note of the first Our Hill about 93 weeks ago. All whole bunch vinification. Quite rich for an Eden Valley Shiraz. Interestingly Fraser says “Our Hill “ is best enjoyed over the next few years in its youth (finest on the day of opening) contrary to the old vine Hoffmann wines. Reminiscent of Henschke Mount Edelstone in some respects without the longevity of Edelstone probably. Delicious nonetheless. — 3 months ago
Nothing to add to my previous note of May 11, 2019 nearly 3 years ago. I must admit I don’t see a lot of savoury development with time in cellar. They are delicious when you first open them and 3 years later, much the same with that solid core of old vine fruit and silky tannins still dominating proceedings. — 2 years ago
A blend of 6 vintages - 2020 (51%), 2019 (31%), 2018 (3%), 2017 (8%), 2016 (5%), and 2015 (2%). From the Hoffmann’s Dallwitz vineyard. 6327 bottles filled. Aromatics of old vine Barossa Shiraz. The fruit is so plush and ample together with liquorice, chocolate, blue fruits, and spices that it masks the M plus tannins. I note that Fraser likes to taste these Little Wines “when primal and vital, a year or two after vintage “. I totally agree. I have tasted Little Wines with over 5 years of cellaring and find that you are giving up that freshness and vitality for a limited increase in savoury profile. The secondary value of Sami-Odi wines have increased dramatically in recent years. I paid $55 per bottle on release and note that United Cellars are now selling for $325. All the more annoying when I broke a bottle unpacking the tricky little cartons of 3 when I received them. The odd 4 letter word was uttered!!! Therefore I have one left for future enjoyment. — 4 months ago
Great to try a 10 year old Sami-Odi. The ripe fruit quality from very old vines is so rich, luscious and alluring there doesn’t seem to be any point in keeping these wines for 15 to 20 years until they develop savoury characters. Colour is dense, dark and impenetrable. Plummy notes on the palate with a little chocolate (see previous Delectable note). Trademark silky tannins. Back Story on the Vineyard: Dallwitz Old is the Hoffmann vineyard’s oldest and most highly prized block - sown by Oscar Falland between 1888 and 1912 on land that at the time belonged to the Dallwitz family. The 2.12 hectares are farmed solely by the Hoffmann family and have been tenderly cared for each season since they began share farming it for the Dallwitz’s in the 1920’s (the Hoffmann’s later acquired it in the 1940s). 3074 bottles were filled. Unusually for the top Cuvée from Sami-Odi this one comes from a single vintage in 2013. — 7 months ago
Shay A
@Delectable Wine : This is Little Wine #11. I didn’t see it in the database.
My last bottle of the #11 Little Wine. At this point, my notes for Sami-Odi all come across as love letters because I am captivated every time I have one. I’ve still yet to smell a wine that smells as good as these do.
Pop and pour initially for a glass, then slow-ox overnight and consumed the next day. This is an assemblage of 2021 (46%), 2020 (18%), 2019 (16%), 2018 (2%), 2017 (9%), 2016 (5%) & 2015 (4%).
As is normal, the aromatics upon opening fill the room. I’ve had plenty of SamiOdi and it never ceases to amaze how powerful the aromatics are. Deep purple in the glass (stains the glass type purple). Heady aromas of concentrated red and black fruits, boysenberry jam, violets, and sweet spice. You’d think with all those big aromas the palate would slap you around, but as Fraser can do, there is a fresh profile here. It’s extremely concentrated but somehow stays light. More dark fruits (freshly squeezed), espresso, small hint of both oak and green herbs down the middle to frame it. Tannins were still powerful on day two, but by no means overly so. Give this a half day decant, or slow ox overnight, and you’ll be enthralled.
Thankfully I’ve got the HD’s resting, and more on the way. — 2 months ago