Sticks Shiraz 2004
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Spirits
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2004 had a cool lead up but was a long hot vintage, with crops yielding as much as 25% above average. The cool lead up gave the fruit a longer ripening and flavor development period which shows through in the wine. Following fermentation and pressing, a portion of the wine is matured in oak barrels for 12 months then blended back with the stainless steel component and bottled. The result is a fruit driven style with great balance.
This wine is vibrant red with purple hues. The nose has black currant and mulberry fruits with a hint of white pepper and spice. There are rich dark berry fruits on the palate with a savory middle finished by a soft peppery finish.
Sticks Shiraz drinks well alone or paired with soft cheese, grilled lamb or take out pizza.
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2001-
Parker
Robert
In 1991, Rob Dolan became the winemaker at Yarra Ridge. The small family winery provided Rob with the opportunity to experiment, which enabled him to hone his winemaking skills. His efforts were immediately recognized on the international show circuit. Rob proceeded to plant his first "Sticks" grapes in the mid 1980's. The goal at Sticks is to provide today's drinker with immensely satisfying wines at affordable prices.
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.”
As the most important area of wine production in Victoria today, the Yarra Valley is most popular for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which account for over half of vineyard acreage. A gentle, rolling and rural region alongside the Margaret River, the Yarra Valley has a cool maritime climate with a lengthy growing season, perfect for these cool-climate varieties.
Two styles of Pinot Noir are possible here. The warmer Lower Yarra Valley with sandy, loam soils, produces plush and fruity Pinot Noir while the cooler, higher-elevation Upper Yarra Valley with soils of young red basalt, produces more angular and mineral-driven Pinot Noir.
Yarra Valley Chardonnay is among the best in Australia. To preserve the floral aromatics and fresh citrus flavors for which this area’s Chardonnay is so appreciated, time in barrel is restrained (though barrel fermentation is common). The best Yarra Valley Chardonnays display brilliant acidity, leesy characteristics, citrus, stone fruit and flavors of ginger and spice.
Shiraz and Cabernet find success in parts of this region as well.