Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Command Shiraz has a mahogany color and leads with pomegranate molasses, paprika dolce, rose petals and brick dust. In the mouth, the tannins are silky and fresh and the fruit is powerful yet in wonderful harmony with the season. The drought of this period of time is not evident in the glass, although it does have a savory, umami-driven finish. Barossa Valley Grape and Wine Association noted that this was a vintage where subregion mattered. Deep-rooted old vines in the north and west of the Barossa were able to withstand the severe moisture stress of prolonged drought, and their resultant red wines had better acid, color and concentration than those from the south, where many wines were savory and lacking in mid-palate richness.
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Wine Spectator
Complex, broad and distinctive for its minerally slate and river stone character that weaves through the polished blackberry and blueberry flavors, striking a fascinating balance as the finish lingers with a hint of black olive against polished tannins. Best from 2013 through 2020. 650 cases imported.
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.”
The Barossa Zone encompasses the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Some of the oldest vines in Australia can be found here.
Barossa Valley of course is the most important and famous wine growing region in all of Australia where 140+ year-old, dry-farmed Shiraz vines still produce inky, purple and dense juice for some of Australia's best wines.
In the cooler, wetter Eden Valley sub-region, the Hill of Grace vineyard is home to famous Shiraz vines from the 1800s but the region produces also some of Australia’s very best and age-worthy Rieslings.