Loose End GSM 2006
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Winemaker Notes
Nose: Attractive, lifted floral aromas with hints of red beet and stewed plum.
Palate: The palate shows luscious cherry and berry fruit flavors, balanced with good acidity and firm tannin structure. The wine finishes dry with lingering berry and sweet spice flavors. Pairs well with a wide variety of foods.
Aging: Made to enjoy early and sealed with screw-cap closure to ensure vibrancy
45% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, 20% Merlot & 2% Mataro (Mourvedre)
Rob Gibson has around 25 years experience making superb Barossa wines, not least of which included 20 years at Penfolds where he was involved in winemaking (with the likes of Max Schubert and John Duval) and as chief viticulturalist. In this role he was responsible for nurturing the Shiraz vines that contributed to Penfolds Grange and for the establishment the Penfolds Technical Viticultural Dept in 1992. This was a formidable background from which he launched his own company, Barossavale, to produce wines under his own label together with his wife, Anne (also with an impressive industry background).Rob also operates a thriving, international winegrowing consultancy business, through which he has access to extensive fruit sources throughout the Barossa region.
Rob’s winemaking philosophy is very much about the quality of the fruit source and, taking it back even further, the careful management of soil and water. Varieties used to make the Loose End wines are those that truly express the great character of the Barossa region, predominantly Shiraz and Grenache and blends thereof.Each harvest reveals new, exciting parcels of fruit, so the blends can change from vintage to vintage. But the focus of Loose End remains steadfast; these are wines of extraordinary quality, showing great texture, flavor intensity and a good dose of finesse.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.