Winemaker Notes
The delightful aromatics are released as soon as the wine is de-corked, with layers of raspberries, apricots and crème de cassis cloaking subtle hints of black olive and cherry. A dark, rich and concentrated palate flows from black fruits into brooding anise and dark chocolate and is bound by tight, grainy tannin. This wine possesses a multitude of different facets and nuances that will constantly change and evolve.
Although extremely intense, the wines power is cloaked within its balance and concentration, surging forth as an expansive sensation- the way only the greatest wines can.
The 2010 RunRig will greatly reward those with patience.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 RunRig is superb and gracious. Powerful but finely wrought tannins support supremely elegant fruit. There are notes of sumac and cocoa, mulberry, pressed flowers and clove. This is fresh, harmonious and seamless, in line with the characters of 2004, 2002, 1998 and 1996. It's a massive wine, but it's balanced; and the alcohol is surprisingly not a thing—despite being very much of a thing analytically. 16% alcohol.
-
Wine Spectator
Thick, dense and complex, with a layer of fine tannins swarming around a vibrant core of blueberry, plum and exuberant spice flavors that keep gaining momentum as they head into the long and powerful finish. This has presence and depth. Needs cellaring. Shiraz and Viognier.
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.