Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet in color with a touch of purple, the 2010 The Steading is a Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro (Mourvedre) blend that radiates a gorgeous nose of dried mulberries, kirsch and red currant jelly enhanced by a baking spice undercurrent. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated on the palate, it has a medium to firm level of velvety tannins and enough acid to give lift through the long finish.
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Wine Spectator
Polished, expressive and layered, with violet-tinged blackberry, cherry and a gloss of meaty, smoky and spicy flavors, finishing with a sensation of sweetness and purity. Has depth and grace. Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Drink now through 2020.
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Tasting Panel
Bright and juicy with depth and lovely balance; bright and showing light oak and spice;fresh,lushly textured, concentrated and long.
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.
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.