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Bruno & George Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley Shiraz may be the archetype of the Barossa, but there are those expressions that transcend the usual heavy-weights by virtue of the experience of those behind them. Such is the case with Bruno & George. Here, deep local knowledge and vast international experience applied to both viticulture and winemaking, comes up trumps. The result is a more transparent wine, mid-weighted of feel and flecked with scents of lilac, salumi, clove, iodine and ample blue fruits. A smooth operator in the mouth, with a long glide to the finish, chaperoned by polished tannins and a peppery lilt. The choice of used, rather than new wood, appropriate.

Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mataro (also known as Mourvèdre) has a history going back to 1960 when Penfolds made a traditional "Burgundy" style. Penfolds have always loved Mataro (Mourvèdre) for its fantastic ability to blend marvelously with traditional South Australian stalwarts like Shiraz. Adding luscious complexity and palate grip, the Bin 2 is aged in older oak to emphasise the spicy savouriness of Mataro (Mourvèdre) that complements the plush richness of Shiraz.

Vintage conditions The 2019 growing season was a challenging one from the start with a very dry winter and spring with frost events in September disrupting budburst. Windy conditions affected flowering and further frost episodes and hail in November caused further challenges. Very hot and dry conditions during summer and lack of rain resulted in small berries and low bunch weights resulting in the lowest yields in recent decades. The resultant wines have great colour, intense flavours and firm tannins. Vineyard selection The “Home Block” Shiraz was exclusively sourced from our estate-grown Block 3A Shiraz vines planted in 1994. Winemaking Once the grapes have been identified to be of optimum maturation and flavour ripeness, the parcels are brought into the winery where they are destemmed and crushed into the open top fermenters. Manual pump overs are conducted twice daily to provide extraction of colour, flavour and tannins. Towards the end of fermentation, the wine is drained and then pressed to a combination of predominately new French oak barrels for 19 months maturation. Careful barrel selection takes place before the wine is blended. The wine is neither fined nor filtered. Tasting Evaluation Colour: Dark purple, with almost black core. Aroma: Intense bouquet of dark plum, black cherry, espresso, with mocha notes. Vanilla pod and gingernut biscuit hide in the background. Palate: Saturated palate of dark berries, savoury French oak spice complimented with fine grain tannins. Vibrant red apple acidity provides focus and length.

Lights Valley wines commemorate Colonel William Light and his discovery and naming of Barossa Valley in 1837. Barossa Valley was named in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa in 1811. However, due to clerical error the valley was misspelt Barossa. Tasting Notes: The Surveyor General Shiraz offers generous flavours of black fruit, chocolate and hazelnut. Fine tannins provide impressive depth of palate.

Lights Valley wines commemorate Colonel William Light and his discovery and naming of Barossa Valley in 1837. Barossa Valley was named in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa in 1811. However, due to clerical error the valley was misspelt Barossa. Tasting Notes: This full-bodied Shiraz features notes of blackberry, blueberry, cake spice, cocoa and hazelnut and is impressive and satisfying on the palette.