Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This tasting of 2008 Hazard Hill Shiraz was a tank sample that was ready for bottling. It gives a deep garnet-purple color and intense aromas of spicy blackberry, blueberry and freshly crushed black pepper. It's quite peppery on the palate with a medium to full body, medium to high acidity and a medium level of velvety tannins, finishing long. It will be good for drinking 2011 to 2014+.
Range: 87-89
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.