Mitchelton Mitchelton Shiraz 2012
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Founded in 1973, the subsequent success of Mitchelton and its wines is directly attributable to the experience of Don Lewis and his extensive experimentation with varieties and sites around Central Victoria. Throughout these past three decades at Mitchelton, Don has developed an intuitive ability in harnessing the potential of Central Victoria in the Mitchelton wines. His outstanding achievements have been recognized through a spectrum of acclaim including the exclusive Jimmy Watson award for Print Shiraz and being selected as Finalist in Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine '2002 Winemaker of the Year'.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.