2001DowieDooleReserveShiraz

Sans If one ran a competition to come up with the worst possible name for a wine brand, Dowie Doole would have to take first prize.The name is difficult to pronounce and it is even more difficult to associate with positive visual images. It’s just all too hard, at least we thought it was until Dowie and Doole introduced us to their spectacular 2001 Reserve Shiraz.It happens that Dowie Doole are two people (Yes, such names really exist!) Drew Dowie is a very successful architect who has been responsible for some impressive winery complexes – Penny’s Hill at McLaren Vale being one and the new Wolf Blass complex at the Barossa Valley being another. His use of materials is sensitive and he has a very good feel for space as well as an intuitive ability to place structures in environments that are also rich in Heritage buildings.Norm Doole on the other hand was former Vice President of the National Bank of Canada who in the early 1980’s fell in love with McLaren Vale while visiting Australia on business. Between the two of them they have obviously made lots of money, hence the compulsion to establish a vineyard and make wine.The 2001 vintage in McLaren Vale provided the region with one of its best winters ever, resulting in very good, consistent fruit set. The 2001 Dowie Doole Reserve is a breathtaking Shiraz that is grossly undervalued considering the quality and sophistication that the wine delivers. The real challenge for Dowie and Doole is to repeat the wonderful quality of this wine on a consistent basis. If they can, then the first release will herald the birth of a new Australian wine icon and will become an significant investment piece. On the other hand, if it should transpire that the wine is an unrepeatable freak, then you can rest assured that you have in your hands one of the best Shiraz that we have seen in recent years.