Winemaker Notes
Aroma: Bright, lifted aromas of red berries, red cherry and subtle smoky vanillan.
Palate: Vibrant raspberry and red cherry fruit aromas with a hint of white stone fruit. This is complimented with light cedar oak notes and soft tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The deep crimson-colored 2008 Strong Arms Shiraz spent 12 months in American oak. The nose offers up cedar, plum, and blackberry leading to a lush, sweetly-fruited, full-flavored Shiraz that will provide enjoyment over the next 4 years. Both of the above wines are great values.
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.