Winemaker Notes
The nose shows lifted notes of violets, boysenberry and blackcurrant, enhanced by licorice and an array of earthy spices. On the palate, bright layers of focused red and blue fruits are supported by clove and peppery spice. Fine sheets of silky tannins are balanced with crisp acidity will enable ample cellaring potential.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The richness of fruit and the soft, supple texture is extraordinary. There’s a wealth of raspberries, blackberries and red plums here. Long and full. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a powerful but not overtly rich Shiraz destined for the cellar. A dense nose of dark berries, earthy, Middle Eastern spices, anise, charred wood and dusty, savory nuances lead on the palate. Acidity feels a touch forced at this stage, not helped by the drying, slightly oaky tannins, but this is a baby of a wine and it should knit together nicely with time. Drink 2023–2040.
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.