Winemaker Notes
Deep dark red color with a purple hue, the 2015 Dave's Block Shiraz reveals notes of satsuma plum, crushed blueberries, incense sticks and crushed black pepper on the nose.
A full-bodied Shiraz, this wine delivers upfront notes of plum and blueberries, which provide a great pop to the palate. Creamy through the mid palate, the tannins emerge through the finish and are bold and rounded in nature with a gentle powdery texture. Black pepper, cured meats, incense, and mocha roll around the periphery provide great detail and layers to the palate.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Incredibly expansive, starting with a pure note of black cherry flavors, building momentum as details of Earl Grey tea, sandalwood, anise and dark chocolate grow. Velvety tannins provide a terrific backbone for the flavors as they linger. Drink now through 2030.
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.