Winemaker Notes
Vibrant crimson with garnet hues. Intense and alluring aromas of fresh raspberries, dark plums and cumquat are complemented beautifully by savory nuances of mace, nutmeg, cracked black pepper, anise and Dutch licorice. The palate is pure and concentrated with ripe raspberry and dark plum flavors balanced by hints of chicory, candied orange and black pepper; complex layers of texture, minerality and fine-grained velvety tannins with an exceptionally long finish.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 25% Mataro, 5% Shiraz
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Vibrant summer berry fruits from raspberry to red cherry to boysenberry. A fragrant and upbeat style. Beautifully ripe fruit is spread evenly in all directions. Really blooms with fresh red cherry and raspberry-dominant fruits. A lot to love here.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Johann's Garden leads with scraped vanilla pod, mulberry, milk chocolate and tapenade. The tannins in the mouth are firmer, and the acidity feels firm as well; however, the fruit notes echo the earlier vintages, with notes of leather, cranberry, sumac and five spice. This bottle is sealed under Vinlok crystal closure, and there is a difference in the nose here—it looks more advanced than the lovely 2012 and 2005 tasted alongside, despite the 2015 season being highly lauded. 14.5% alcohol.
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.
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.