Winemaker Notes
The 2011 Amon Ra reflects the absolute essence of the Amon Ra style - generosity of flavor with finesse of structure. The vivid purple color displays the intensity of youth. The nose has an abundance of dark fruits, plum, black cherry and hints of cassis with notes of mixed spice and anise. Although young and tightly wound on release, the vibrant blackberry and dried spice flavors integrate well with youthful yet supple tannins leading to a long and sleek finish.
As with previous vintages of Amon Ra, the astounding purity of expression and multilayered structure will allow this wine to mature with elegance for decades to come.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Focused, generous and layered, with floral, bay leaf and smoky custard grace notes around a supple core of blackberry and cherry fruit, persisting on the long and expressive finish.
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.