Winemaker Notes
Aromatically complex and layered this wine first shows notes of dark plums, blueberries and chocolate before more earthy, mineral hints of dusty red earth and boot polish peak from behind. The palate is marked by a controlled creamy mouthfeel with the same primary dark fruit and chocolate notes evident before a fine tannin frame works around the edges and provides just enough framing to allow the fruit a targeted line of travel through the palate. Structural, mineral and bright.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Pramie Liebich Vineyard Shiraz gives an almost cool-climate impression on the nose, offering up some floral-herbal notes and hints of green peppercorns to go along with raspberry fruit. Despite being 14.7% alcohol, it comes across as medium-bodied, with a certain lightness and elegance that's uncommon in the Barossa. The tannins are supple, more silky than velvety on the long, spice-tinged finish.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy black cherry flavors have plenty of licorice and star anise aromas, with firm tannins and a note of fresh loam. All the elements sing harmoniously on the long, velvety finish. Drink now through 2030.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine takes some vigorous swirling to open up, eventually offering notes of dark and red berries, tang, earth, and a herbal component. The palate is raisiny and chocolatey, with plush fruit and a juicy tang amidst a medium to full body and plenty of crisp acidity to indicate a long life ahead. Drink 2019–2037.
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.”
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.