Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The impressive 2011 Shotfire Quartage is composed of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec and 12% Merlot. Excellent aromas of creme de cassis, espresso bean, chocolate and menthol jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied effort. Excellent purity as well as personality and a spicy, moderately long finish...
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
The Barossa Zone encompasses the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Some of the oldest vines in Australia can be found here.
Barossa Valley of course is the most important and famous wine growing region in all of Australia where 140+ year-old, dry-farmed Shiraz vines still produce inky, purple and dense juice for some of Australia's best wines.
In the cooler, wetter Eden Valley sub-region, the Hill of Grace vineyard is home to famous Shiraz vines from the 1800s but the region produces also some of Australia’s very best and age-worthy Rieslings.