Winemaker Notes
The colour of this wine is very deep red purple with a black centre and reflects the density of the wine. Its bouquet is overwhelmingly rich with soft, dark berry fruit and well integrated French oak. On the palate it has wonderful rich shiraz flavours of dark berries and Barossa chocolate enveloped in fine grained oak with subtle tannins. Excellent with braised lamb shanks, rare beef, and richly flavoured casseroles and, of course, excellent with aged cheddar cheeses.
2002 was the coolest Barossa vintage on record. The reds are densely coloured with exceptional fruit concentration and structure. Very approachable now, and will continue to develop in the bottle over the next 8-10 years.
Professional Ratings
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.