Winemaker Notes
Dense black centre with a deep garnet rim. The bouquet is redolent of dark plums and chocolate with a hint of mixed spice. A wine of great dignity, it's structure is superbly taut, with intense fruit depth reined in by the firm tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Firm, focused and juicy with currant and plum fruit that mingles with coffee and toasted bread notes as the finish lingers against well-integrated tannins. Best from 2015 through 2021. 50 cases imported.
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Wine Enthusiast
Lehmann's 2009 may not be its best or longest lived Stonewell, but it's a luscious example nonetheless. It's round and creamy in the mouth, with no hard edges, and easy-to-appreciate flavors of black cherries, plums, toasty oak and menthol. Drink now–2020.
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.