Winemaker Notes
Barossa Valley South Australia. The vineyard is located to the south of the township of Greenock in the western Barossa Valley. The Branson vineyard was planted in 1990 to Shiraz and Cabernet. Grown on the fabled deep red clay soil that dominates the area, a key element in the unique terroir of this small pocket of the Barossa Valley.
"The 2004 Shiraz Greenock Creek Block (aged in American oak) is a dense, full-bodied, intense, old style Australian red with loads of richness as well as a rustic quality. Drink it over the next 10-12 years."
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.