may be bottle variance...
may be like you say that you have more tolerance to heat....

as per the black cottage thread, different people have different preferences and views.
No need to blush mate and hope you make a quick recovery from the flu

I have tried this again and sampled over 4 days now, although my palate has not fully recovered from the flu.

My conclusion is that this has actually deteriorated since I last tried it in October. I still feel I can taste the two different grapes, but the lower altitude ones seem have lost something and it has allowed a streak of bitterness/ tartness to come through on the finish accentuating the heat. I have checked and I have a couple left, but one is the 2009, which might well be ok.

I would take yours back, Shez. My guess is fresher is better with this.

This is similar to the Vinalba Malbec / Syrah. I picked up 2 vintages 2006 and 2008. Both gold medal winners. The 2006 was almost undrinkable whereas the 2008 was fantastic. I had come to the conclusion that the wine just did not age well. Perhaps the Gestos Shiraz is the same.

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tribs

Fair point there Tribs would have thought it could stand the test of time but perhaps not
Can't say I found it bitter as such but the alcohol heat is a concern, similar to the what was sometimes the case with clos de Los siete on previous vintages (along with the other problem of super heavy tannins)

Tempted to return my 2 remaining and put them towards some more Rustenberg instead perhaps

Possibly bitterness was the wrong description. Reminded me a little of Damson jam, and I hate that stuff. I could cope with the heat.

It was not noticeable when I tried the earlier bottle though. I'd take mine back, but I think it unlikely they'd take them seeing it is so long since purchase. Having said that, it's not that bad just not the star it was last year.

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tribs

BBQ/token gift wine perhaps then...

It's such a disappointment, that sort of evo - one just doesn't expect a decline, or unpleasant flavours emerging with a powerfull and high ALC shiraz ! Just occassionally - but thankfully rarely, I view my laying down and hopefully positively maturing wines - And think, it is trust in one's judgement. For sure.... I'd get the screaming abdabs - if I was overly cautious and I had a run of declining wines from my own stock.

Tribs - this may be a temporary phase with the Gestos - it is worth marking up a bottle for a future review date ? Perhaps.

You may be able to return the others. no harm in explaining the situation to Waitrose. They were very good about my return of some Ninth Island pinot noir that had gone moldy. I asked for a credit against others purchases, rather than money from the till, to demonstrate my credibility.

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Duncan

Tribs has got a pretty good reputation with his friends for serving nice wines - Shez, you don't want to wreck that - surely

Tribs, you will either be philosophical about the occasional hick-up and discretely dispose of this wine, or see Customer services at WR, and explain the issues and adverse bottle development.

I'd adopt the latter, when you're next in the store - good luck

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Duncan