Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The nearly perfect 2002 Shiraz is the stuff of legends. It is a 1,000 case cuvee that has been completely fermented and aged in 100% new American oak. An inky purple color is accompanied by a remarkable bouquet of white flowers intermixed with melted licorice, blackberries, currants, figs, and espresso roast. Extremely full-bodied, with extraordinary ripeness, opulence, and viscosity, yet very good acidity as well as excellent tannin providing up-lift and definition, this unforgettable wine can be drunk now or cellared for a decade or more. Bravo!
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.