Winemaker Notes
Intense core with a deep purple rim. Enthralling aromatics are immediately offering distinguishable finesse and power yet with precision and focus. The lifted satsuma plum, dried rose petals and black cherry along with graphite and cocoa, Turkish delight, star anise, earl grey tea and black olive which combine with gorgeous plumes of subtle vanilla pod, sandalwood and mild cardamom aromas. The palate is dense, firm and powerful yet holds incredibly balanced fruit intermingled with voluminous structure. One of the better RunRig’s from such a balanced and even growing season.
Serve with delicious rich flavored cuisines.
Blend: 98% Shiraz, 2% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A deeply perfumed and lifted release. Aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, violets, iodine, porcini mushrooms, fresh herbs and an earthy, ferrous undertone. The palate is full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and a luscious and seamless mouthfeel. There is much complexity and refinement, with a high level of fruit quality. Built for the ages. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 RunRig typifies everything I appreciate and value about the 2022 vintage. It is silky and open, seamless and fresh. Like the 2018 vintage, the 2022 is open and available, more so than the 2021. It is so pretty. It's gorgeous. I feel it could be stylistically likened to 2004. It's excellent. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
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Vinous
The 2022 RunRig is beautifully composed and initially understated but with a delightful core of fruit and delicacy. Ethereal aromas of wood smoke, blackberry and crushed spices are matched by classy oak. This is punchy with lavish flavors, firm tannins and acidity that drives a long, youthful finish. The 2022 is tight and unevolved but has plenty of aging potential.
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Wine Spectator
Elegant and notable for the soft suppleness of its tannins, which highlight the juicy cherry, plum and wild berry flavors at the core. Details of gingerbread, olive and vanilla bean join a perfumed thread of violet, green cardamom and dried lavender that lingers on the long finish, where the tannins firm up gently. Shiraz and Viognier. Drink now through 2038
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.