Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made with grapes sourced from the Knob Hill vineyard one hour from Margaret River, the 2011 The Ripper Shiraz was harvested, crushed/de-stemmed then heavily chilled at a nearby winery in Margaret River, then transported immediately to the Hope Estate winery in the Hunter Valley for full fermentation, maturation and ultimately bottling. This deep garnet-purple colored 100% Shiraz is intensely scented of creme de cassis, blueberry preserves and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of baking spices, vanilla, aniseed and dark chocolate plus a whiff of eucalyptus. Full-bodied, rich and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it gives tons of black fruit and spice flavors that are framed by a medium level of velvety tannins and bright acidity. It finishes with good persistence.
Rating: 90+
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.”
Quite remote and unequalled in beauty, the wine regions of Westerm Australia promise endless physical and climatic diversity. From the coolest, seaside vineyards to the hottest inland zones, Western Australia is the source of some of the country’s most sought after wines.