Winemaker Notes
Aroma: Shows strong vanillin and chocolate characters with a touch of spice
Palate: The mid palate has good weight and softness and the soft berry characters carry through to the finish. Deliberately light on tannins or oak, the wine shows lovely balance and bright fruit flavors.
Food pairings: Tomato-based pasta sauces, roast lamb, venison
"Attractive palate; clear, cool-grown but supple fruit with spice, licorice, pepper and blackberry flavours all intermingling."
-James Halliday
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.