Spinifex Syrah
Beautifully sculpted, racy, red-and-blackberry-fruit along with a lifted rosehip note as well, and some inky depths on the driven finish. Gets more and more perfumed and lively with air, it's another terrific effort from one of Australia's most gifted wine people. The wine, naturally fermented with a judicious use of whole clusters (on average 30%) in a combination of stainless steel, wood and concrete fermenters, also sees a shorter maturation than the Esprit and Bête Noir, et al. The 2018 was cropped from five high, exposed parcels in the Barossa and Eden Valley, where the soils are generally poor and skeletal - for the most part light, gravelly and silty sands over deeply weathered base rocks of varied origins. Vine age varies from 25 to 115 years old (averaging 50 years old), and all fruit is hand harvested. Spinifex was started in 2001 with the opportunity to source some great old vine Mataro growing in deep white drift-sand on the Barossa Valleys Western Ridge. Owned by husband and wife team, Peter Schell and Magali Gely, their focus is on regional wines from the traditional Mediterranean grape varieties that have been grown successfully in Australia for over 150 years - Shiraz, Mataro, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Ugni Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Semillon. They aim to make wines that display signatures of vineyard provenance and vintage, show regional typicity and have a consistent thread of 'house style' that reflects their preferences and experiences with wine. The wines they choose to make are predominately blends, the synergies derived from blending wines of differing character enhance the subtle complexities, even textures and profound personalities delivered from great old vine vineyards.
Artisans of Barossa Small Batch Barossa Shiraz
Formed in 2005, Artisans of Barossa is a group of wine producers with a like-minded approach to winemaking and wine enjoying. This wine is blended from barrels selected by the winemakers from each of their cellars. On the nose, there are aromas of dark plum and chocolate with hints of cardamom pod, clove, aniseed and cracked black pepper. The palate is rich with dark fruits and dark chocolate supported by a long savoury line of gentle tannin. The wine finishes smooth and long in the classic style of great Barossa Shiraz. Enjoy with braised meats or a cheese and charcuterie board.
Spinifex Miette Shiraz
An exceptional Barossan Shiraz from the artisan cult producer, Spinifex. The Miette (mee-yet) Shiraz has a delightful balance and charm with flavours of cherry, blueberry and hints of earthy spice, held by finely structured tannins. Succulent, layered and fleshy, the Miette label is a great introduction to the hand-crafted wines from Spinifex.
Bethany Cabernet Merlot
The Bethany Cabernet Merlot from the Schrapel family's Bethany winery exhibits herbal blackberry and cherry flavours with subtle oak in the background. Drinking well now, but also can handle a little bit of medium term cellaring to really coax those soft, ripe tannins to infuse beautifully with its primary fruit.
Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon
Established way back in 1893 by true regional pioneers, Kaesler has been reborn by winemaking vionary, Reid Bosward. The Cabernet Sauvignon has fresh cassis and herbal notes with the perfect amount of ripe tannin. To finish the package off, sublime length.
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz
St Hallett's Blackwell is big Shiraz for the lovers of ripe concentrated fruit and a generous measure of vanillin oak. A classic regional style, enjoy this beauty with robust beef or game dishes.
Hentley Farm The Marl Shiraz
Hentley Farm is a boutique, single estate vineyard that focuses on producing premium quality single-estate and single-block wines reflective of their exceptional Barossan terrior. 'The Marl' takes its name from the fruit grown on red clay loam over marl (a friable earthy deposit consisting of clay and limestone) which reduces the water and nutrient availability producing low crops and rich flavours. True to the style, the Shiraz is layered with berry fruits with hints of dark chocolate, earth and subtle spice. While full-bodied the palate is soft with lovely lingering finish.
St Hallett Butcher's Cart Shiraz
St Hallett Butchers Cart Shiraz gives vibrant and rich blueberry and dark cherry with a hint of mocha. A bold an opulent palate, filled with generous red berry fruits, dark plums and completed by supple supportive tannins.
Quattro Mano La Reto Tempranillo
Chris Taylor and his team have harnessed the old and new perfectly with their exciting and engaging range of wines. Their La Reto Tempranillo is a lovely balance of old world Spanish characteristics and a modern, perfumed attractiveness. Red berries, plums and hints of liquorice are all present along with a delicious minerality to give this wine that extra dimension.
Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz
An exotically spicy Shiraz from Barossa Valley Estate with loads of juicy blackberry and red plum flavours and a hint of vanilla. Enjoy this red with a nice steak or a hearty Italian meal.