Winemaker Notes
Blend: 94% Shiraz, 6% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Australian Wine Companion
A Marananga-born blend of 94/6% shiraz/viognier from the strong 2021 vintage. I guess the Descendant could be considered the 'Baby Run Rig', though, in reality, this probably does the wine a disservice. It's lovely. High-toned and perfumed with some juicy stone fruit tones suffusing through the unctuous spiced plum fruits. Hints of blueberry pie, citrus blossom, veal jus, Chinese barbecue shop, soul-like spice. dried citrus rind, biltong and clove. Velvety in its flow with creamy oak, fine, kinetic tannins and a real textural swell as it slowly fades away. A cracking release.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Descendant is often termed as the "Baby Runrig," which, as we all know, is a bit of a myopic way to view things, but it gets the point across. This is Shiraz fermented on Viognier skins (8% by weight, no liquid) and decidedly floral on the nose, with marmalade and orange peel, pink peppercorns and blood plums. The wine is dense and velvety, with loads of tannin; the Viognier, while contributing floral aromatics, textural silk and flow, also contributes tannin, and it is felt here. There is no new oak, which helps with the tannin expression and core of red and purple fruit. The signature Barossan red dirt and ironstone show through the finish. It's really good! Excellent wine.
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James Suckling
A tad of viognier added to shiraz propagated as a massale selection. No new oak, but uses second-fill barrels that still impart subtle oak tannins. A broad style, full-bodied, palate-staining and forceful, yet there is admirable detail and a degree of finesse. Blueberry, camphor, licorice, tapenade and ironstone accents, lurking behind the pithy quince and apricot tones. From a single vineyard in Marananga that delivers the goods in a superlative vintage.
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Wine Spectator
Aromatic and intriguing, with lavender, white pepper, rosemary and Earl Grey notes that are plump, juicy and velvety. Details of gingerbread, wintergreen and clove linger, along with a touch of Asian five-spice. Shiraz and Viognier. Drink now through 2037. 750 cases made, 125 cases imported.
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.