Winemaker Notes
Vines planted 1878 through 1956. Half Mataro (Mourvedre) grown in white sand, 1/4 Grenache grown in white loam, and the remainder Shiraz grown in dark loam. No artificial herbicides or pesticides used on either block. Hand-picked, destemmed and wild fermented in stainless steel before aging in puncheons and hogsheads (all old oak 5+ years) for just under a year. Unfined, unfiltered.Blend: 60% Mataro; 30% Grenache; 10% Shiraz.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rich, red-plum and blackberry-scented blend that has such approachable and direct style. The purity of ripe, red and purple-fruit flavors is really attractive, as is the supple, fleshy texture. A seductive, bold red blend. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is an approachable and expressive blend of mostly Mataro, with 20% Grenache and just 4% Shiraz. It starts off meaty and funky but with time in glass it opens to a nose of red and black berries lying on the damp earth along with coffee, stalks, iodine and heaps of spices. The mouthfeel is rich and silky, smudges of spicy tannins balanced brambly fruit. Drink now and over the next few years.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.