Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz
Chris Ringland's Barossa Ranges Shiraz is steeped in the Barossas post-colonial story and the high art and science of winemaking. Typically deep in colour with intense dark berry, paneforte, espresso roasted chestnut aromas, it displays a plush and concentrated palate with blackberry, mocha, paneforte spicy flavours and dense fine chocolaty tannins. Despite the opulence, flamboyance, richness and concentration, the wine has superb percussion and freshness. The wine is a small vinification of around four to five hogsheads or 1500 litres. The "unusually thick skinned" Shiraz is entirely sourced from Chris Ringland's dry-grown vineyard on the edge of the Barossa Valley, but technically in Eden Valley, along Flaxman's Valley near Randall's Hill. The wine is "painstakingly hand-made" in open fermenters and regularly pumped-over to extract colour, flavour and tannins. After draining and pressing through a traditional basket press, fermentation is completed in 100% new French oak hogsheads. A period of up to 50 months oak maturation follows to achieve optimum complexity and balance between oak and fruit. The extraordinarily high release prices (higher than Penfolds Grange), limited production and reputation make Chris Ringland Barossa Ranges Shiraz the stuff of legend.
Langmeil Blockbuster Shiraz
From the wizards at Langmeil comes a wine of stunning character, truly reminiscent of the Barossa region. Delicious, rich aroma of blueberries, raspberries and Satsuma plums fills the nostrils with hints of mocha, Anzac cookies and briary spice. The palate is bright, juicy fruit lives up to the aroma and is balanced nicely with sweet oak, briary and peppery spice and youthful, firm tannins. The palate is quite full with a long, velvety, fruitful and spicy finish.
Spinifex La Maline Shiraz Viognier
Bright, deep garnet. Spice laced, smoky, savory notes dominate when the bottle is first opened. With air aromas transit through black tea, charred meat, green pepper corn, wood smoke and suede, to roasted nuts, red and black cherry and high transient notes of citrus oils and jasmine. Restrained and relatively closed on the palate initially. Mid-weight, with a keen balance of both flesh and bones fruit and structure - tangy dried herb edged fruit opens up to polished, fresh black fruits. Focused and pure, has great line.
Powell & Son Chattertons Shiraz
Yalumba Samuel's Collection Barossa Shiraz
Sons of Eden Marschall Shiraz
Deep garnet in colour, displaying a mixed array of wildberry and red licorice aromas. The palate is fresh and vibrant, juicy and rounded. A very modern styled Barossa Shiraz, which is delicious drinking now that will mature well for the medium term. A variety of fermentation techniques were utilized, but all involved extended skin contact ranging from 15 to 25 days. A cold soak period of up to 6 days occurred before a natural warming to start the fermentation. Upon completion the ferments were pressed to a mix of new and seasoned oak hogsheads, for malolactic fermentation and maturation.
Dandelion Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
DiGiorgio Family Wines Lucindale Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied dry red, deep purple with crimson hues. Ripe black cherry and red fruit characters on the nose along with cedar and nutmeg aromas finishing with fresh mint and spicey notes. Blueberry, blackcurrant and peppermint flavours mixed with lovely spicy oak makes for a complex and softly textured wine.
DiGiorgio Family Wines Lucindale Shiraz
Full-bodied dry red. Deep red with purple hues, rich plum, blackberry and spice overlaid with vanillin oak. Layered blackberry, raspberry and mulberry with chocolate, spice and silky tannins and a wonderfully textured finish.
Parker Favourite Son Cabernet Malbec
Taken from the pristine terra rossa over limestone soils in Wrattonbully, this Cabernet Malbec blend shows the trademark bright fruit and deep flavours associated with the region. The cool air flow and long sunshine hours in this area provides extended ripening and hence complexity. It's bright and fresh aromas are matched by a rich interior which shows wonderful fruit expression. Unlike the average son, Favourite Son will repay over the years showing great potential for cellaring.
