Winemaker Notes
The Brothers in Arms Shiraz is 100% Shiraz from the Metala Vineyard in Langhorne Creek. The fruit was harvested from 10 different blocks of vines that have an average age of 25 years. The winemaker, David Freschi employs a minimalist winemaking approach and uses a combination of French and American Oak, half of which is new wood. The wine is aged for 16 months in barriques and aged in bottle for one year before release.
Professional Ratings
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.