Winemaker Notes
Medium to deep garnet with a peripheral suggestion of purple on the rim. An enticing nose of dark plum, raspberry and Provencal lavender with hints of anise and pepper grinder. Black fruits dominate with touches of pepper and clear blackcurrant. Firm and savory tannins that remain rounded balance with the brightness on the finish.
Blend: 84% Shiraz, 16% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Australian Wine Companion
A blend of northern Barossa shiraz/grenache. Deep crimson in hue with vibrant aromas of frangipani-flecked dark plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruits underscored with baking spices, rose petals, roasting meats, cola, ginger spice and earth. Bright acidity, a plume of red cherry and wild strawberry join the party on the palate, with fine sandy tannin and black tea and pure dark and red berry fruits on the exit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with 84% Shiraz, the balance Grenache, the 2021 Wallace Shiraz Grenache is juicy and bright, gleaming and succulent and vibrant, in its way. It's not a complex wine but a very pretty one and a great indicator of the Barossa. It's a product of a lovely balanced season. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
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.